Literary Dialogs with Nina Serrano featuring Yoli Aceves
I was very excited to finally interview TV news journalist Yoli Aceves after following her career for many years. Like many who watch TV news, I was curious about its inner workings. Speaking with this veteran Latina news reporter, camera woman, and editor, proved to be as lively and interesting as anticipated.
Yoli Aceves: Latina Video Journalist Beginnigs
Yoli began working on TV news decades ago as an intern at San Francisco’s Spanish language station Channel 14 while still in college. She entered when few women were in the field. She quickly learned the equipment well and the internship turned into a job. She carried 55 lbs. of equipment while videoing. The working conditions at that station were poor which led her and her workmates, including her future husband, to unionized the station. Yoli felt closely connected to the Spanish speaking community she served. Each day was different and full of the unexpected with the excitement and adventure that news coverage provided. She videoed people at their tragic moments as well as in times of danger.
A few years later, when a better job opened at a bigger English language station, she transitioned to KRON-tv. She found that her Mexican background served her profession well providing her a different perspective into the events she was covering that other reporters didn’t have.
As the years went by the equipment got lighter reducing from 55 lbs. to 25 lbs. Her job evolved from being strictly a camera person to a “one man band,” reporting, videoing, and editing the story, even promoting it on social media.
Yoli Aceves encourages young people who want to enter the demanding news industry to bring their humanity and sensitivity with them for the sake of their co-workers and the people they interview.
Radio Broadcasts on KPFA and OZCAT
The radio version of this interview will broadcast on KPFA 94.1 fm at 7 pm on La Raza Chronicles on Tuesday Oct. 12, 2021 and again on OZCAT radio, 89.5 fm, on Thursday Oct. 14, 2021 at 10:30 am on Art Beat.
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