Jorge Ramos

Explore the life, career, and impact of Jorge Ramos—a Mexican-American journalist, anchor, and advocate. Learn his journey, journalistic philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Jorge Gilberto Ramos Ávalos (born March 16, 1958) is a Mexican journalist, author, and public figure widely recognized as one of the most influential Spanish-language news anchors in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Jorge Ramos was born in Mexico City, Mexico, to a Roman Catholic family. Bosques de Echegaray area in Naucalpan, a suburb of Mexico City.

He attended Catholic schools in Mexico City, where he has said he experienced abuse by some priests—a difficult early environment that would later inform his perspective on power and moral responsibility.

Ramos earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. master’s in international studies from the University of Miami.

Career and Achievements

Early Career in Mexico & Move to U.S.

In his early career, Ramos worked for Televisa’s flagship XEW in Mexico, producing investigative journalism.

He immigrated to the U.S. in the 1980s (on a student visa) aiming for greater freedom of expression. KMEX-TV, a Spanish-language station, where he began to build his reputation.

Rise at Univision & Anchor Work

In 1987, Ramos joined Univision, which was undergoing growth in the U.S. Spanish-language television market. Noticiero Univision, one of the network’s signature nightly news programs. Al Punto, a Sunday public affairs program, and America with Jorge Ramos, an English-language news program on Fusion.

He covered major global events—from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the wars in Afghanistan, and multiple conflicts in Latin America.

Ramos has been awarded multiple Emmy Awards (more than ten) and the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for journalistic excellence. Time magazine’s “World’s Most Influential People.”

Later Career & Departure from Univision

In September 2024, Ramos announced he would leave Univision after nearly 40 years.

Historical Context & Influence

• Ramos’s career coincided with the growth of the Latino population in the U.S. and the expansion of Spanish-language media.

• He has frequently centered immigration, citizenship, and Latino identity in his work, becoming a de facto voice for issues affecting immigrants.

• Ramos has challenged political leaders publicly, sometimes facing pushback or confrontation (e.g. with Donald Trump, Nicolás Maduro) when pressing for accountability.

• His style—less neutral, more probing—reflects a tension in journalism between objectivity and moral stance, especially in contexts of inequality and rights.

Personality and Approach

• Courage & persistence: Ramos is known for pushing questions even when met with resistance or hostility.

• Voice for the marginalized: He often frames immigrant experiences and Latino communities as central, not peripheral.

• Combative but principled: He maintains that journalists must not swallow official lines uncritically.

• Identity integration: Ramos identifies as both Mexican and American; in 2008 he became a U.S. citizen after many years of internal conflict about identity.

• Emotional & ethical engagement: He tends to speak with passion, not detachment, particularly on social justice issues.

Famous Quotes of Jorge Ramos

Here are several quotes attributed to Ramos that exemplify his perspective:

“The goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, fully and without bias.”

“The most important responsibility we have as journalists is to question those who are in power.”

“Once you are an immigrant, you never forget that you are one.”

“As journalists, we cannot swallow the official line without question. We should challenge almost everything that dictators, presidents and officials say.”

“Elie Wiesel says that neutrality only helps the oppressor, never the victim. And I think you can apply that to journalism.”

“Yes, Latinos dream more. When you live in poverty … of course you dream more.”

Lessons from Jorge Ramos

1. Journalism requires asking hard questions
   Ramos shows that it’s not enough to report events; one must press power structures and demand clarity.

2. One can hold identity and profession simultaneously
   He integrates his immigrant experience into his work, rather than hiding it, making his voice more authentic and resonant.

3. Courage can define legacy
   Confronting powerful figures has cost him professionally but also elevated his standing as a journalist of conscience.

4. Journalism is not neutral in times of injustice
   Ramos’s invocation of moral responsibility pushes the idea that neutrality can sometimes reinforce the status quo.

5. Adaptation matters
   Even as television changes, Ramos embraced digital platforms, live social media coverage, and new formats to stay relevant.

Conclusion

Jorge Ramos’s trajectory—from Mexico City to the anchor desk in Miami to a broader national and international platform—represents not just a successful journalism career, but a commitment to giving voice to marginalized communities, challenging power, and holding media to the highest standards. His departure from Univision marks the end of an era, but his influence and voice continue.