Investigative journalist to join Miami Herald on a fellowship partnership

An award-winning multimedia reporter and producer will join the Miami Herald Media Company early next year as part of an investigative reporting fellowship in partnership with the Fund for Investigative Journalism and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, a freelance journalist based in Miami, will work on a three-month project with staff and editors of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with FIJ and NAHJ to bring high-impact storytelling to our readers in two languages,” said Aminda Marqués González, executive editor and publisher of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald. “Investigative journalism is at the core of what we do. We look forward to working with the fellow on what promises to be an enlightening project.”

This is the fourth year FIJ, based in Washington, D.C., is offering diversity fellowships. FIJ formed this recent partnership with NAHJ and the Miami Herald Media Company to continue to boost diversity and inclusion within the ranks of investigative journalism.

“For the last four years, we have granted special awards to talented, diverse journalists,” said Marcia Bullard, board president of FIJ. “This year we have teamed up with an award-winning daily and a journalism organization that promotes the work of Latino journalists. It is FIJ’s commitment to increase integration in the field of investigative journalism.”

Ruiz-Goiriena — who has worked for France 24, the Spanish daily El Mundo, Haaretz, CNN and The Associated Press, among others news outlets — is the 14th journalist to take part in the FIJ diversity program. Earlier this year, she was honored with NAHJ’s prestigious Ñ Award.

“It is an honor to be selected as an FIJ fellow in this partnership with NAHJ and the Miami Herald,” she said. “As the number of local news outlets around the country is shrinking, this type of investigative collaboration could well be the way to tell stories that matter to forgotten communities.”

The partnership comes as FIJ celebrates its 50th anniversary and NAHJ celebrates its 35th year. Promoting diversity in investigative journalism is part of an effort to increase public awareness and understanding of issues that sometimes fall under the news radar.

“As a contributor to NAHJ’s digital news site palabra., we are familiar with the quality of Ruiz-Goiriena’s work and exceptional journalism,” said Alberto B. Mendoza, NAHJ executive director.