Reporting helps secure approval of digital navigator position

Reporting by Reyes Mata III of the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative on a community-driven research effort in Sunland Park, New Mexico, played a part in getting local officials to approve the hiring of a digital navigator, whose role is to educate the population in digital skills. The initial solutions-focused story, “Mamacítas Cibernéticas seeks to close digital gaps in Sunland Park,” demonstrated the success of an organizing method adhering to the community’s cultural values to learn about its needs. This led to subsequent media coverage from neighboring areas and national outlets. One of the local research coordinators credited the media’s attention and presence at a local council meeting for advancing the approval of this new position.