Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Zamora
Hi Benjamin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in El Paso, Texas, as a first-generation American in 1992. My parents, originally from Mexico, instilled in me a strong sense of culture and ambition. From an early age, I was deeply passionate about journalism and music, which eventually shaped my career.
While in high school, I had the fortune of meeting Ernest Gutierrez, a former TV anchor and my teacher at the time. He recognized my talent and encouraged me to pursue a career in media. That mentorship set the stage for my journey in broadcasting.
At just 18 years old, I got my first job in local television. Max Benitez, a photojournalist at a local TV station and one of Mr. Gutierrez’s assistants, suggested I apply for a sports anchor position. Despite my limited knowledge of sports—my real passion was news—I took the opportunity. I studied hard the night before the interview, not expecting to get hired. To my surprise, Uriel Posada, the news director, saw potential in me and hired me as a fill-in sports reporter and video editor.
By the time I was 23, I won my first Emmy for On-Camera Talent as a bilingual reporter in the Lone Star Chapter, a moment I will always remember. Over the course of my career, I have earned seven Emmy Awards and more than 15 nominations.
From there, I did just about everything in the newsroom—editor, camera operator, multimedia journalist, producer, assistant news director, executive producer, and anchor. Over 14 years in television, I worked in markets across Texas, Chicago, and Las Vegas, reporting in English and Spanish gaining invaluable experience along the way.
In 2020, I downloaded TikTok without a clear plan for content. One day, I decided to experiment with short news clips in Spanish, a format that was largely absent at the time. My early videos performed decently, but it wasn’t until I reported on the George Floyd protests that one of my videos went viral.
That same year, I returned to Las Vegas from Chicago to become the main news anchor at Telemundo Las Vegas. Between 2021 and 2024, my TikTok following skyrocketed—from 200,000 to nearly 6 million followers.
In January 2024, I made the bold decision to leave corporate media to pursue independent journalism full-time. This new chapter has been incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to cover major events, including presidential elections in El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States, as well as the NATO summit, the Climate Summit in Washington, D.C., and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
This year alone, I’ve visited the White House seven times and attended five events there. I also covered the Hispanic Forum hosted by President-elect Donald Trump in Las Vegas.
I’m proud to share that my videos in 2024 have achieved over 1 billion impressions on TikTok, 19 million views on YouTube, 100 million views on Instagram, and 15 million on Facebook.
Through independent journalism, I’ve been able to amplify stories that matter to millions of people across different platforms, and I’m excited about what’s ahead in this journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been far from smooth. Working as a journalist demands significant sacrifices—you miss birthdays, anniversaries, your kids’ school activities, and holidays like Christmas. The dedication required to cover stories and keep communities informed often comes at the expense of personal moments with loved ones.
Throughout my career, I’ve faced challenges that extend beyond the demanding schedule. I’ve been threatened because of my reporting and harassed at times, which is unfortunately a reality many journalists encounter. It’s a highly competitive field where you have to develop resilience to handle countless rejections and tough feedback.
One of the biggest eye-openers was realizing how different the industry is from what many people perceive as glamorous. My first job paid just $10 an hour, and I quickly noticed disparities between how English-speaking journalists and Spanish-speaking journalists were treated and compensated. These inequities were disheartening but also motivated me to work harder to prove my worth and advocate for fair treatment.
Additionally, I’ve witnessed the harsh realities of an industry struggling to adapt. I’ve seen colleagues lose their jobs, newscasts shut down, and newsrooms endure constant budget cuts. Local journalists are often left overworked and underpaid, scrambling to produce quality content with fewer resources. Despite these challenges, the passion for storytelling and the impact journalism can have on communities has always kept me going.
While the road hasn’t been easy, these struggles have shaped my career and reinforced my commitment to telling stories that matter. They’ve also inspired me to take control of my path by pursuing independent journalism, where I can create meaningful content without the constraints of traditional media.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is all about storytelling. I strive to deliver the news in a clear, concise, and engaging way that people can understand in under two minutes. My goal is to make important information accessible and relatable, no matter how complex the topic.
Every day, I post around seven videos across all my social media channels, covering breaking news, trending stories, and topics that resonate with my audience.
Any big plans?
Beyond daily news updates, I’m also expanding my platform with exciting projects on the horizon, including an upcoming podcast and an investigative journalism unit.
I’m also interested in expanding our news coverage in Mexico and Latin America where I have over 2 million followers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@benjaminzamoratv?lang=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminzg/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BenjaminZamoraTelemundo/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@benjaminzamoratv
Image Credits
All pictures are owned by me. Benjamin Zamora.
