By Duda Maciel
NBC4 producer Brandon Benavides and Telemundo 44 investigative reporter Carolina Cruz led a student workshop at NBC4’s Washington studio on March 24, helping students understand that sometimes you need to write for the ear, not for the eyes.
The session, “Writing for the Ear,” focused on helping students learn how to write clearly and effectively for a broadcast audience. Students from American University, George Washington University and the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism attended the workshop.
Benavides emphasized the importance of clarity and efficiency in broadcast writing, encouraging students to focus on what matters most.
“Every sentence has to count,” Benavides said. “Focus on what’s important.”
He also discussed his career path and experience in the industry to open the session. As a content producer at NBC4 Washington, Benavides has more than 20 years of experience in broadcast news and has won four Emmy Awards.
He began his career at KETK-TV in Texas and later worked at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis before returning to Washington, where he earned his master’s degree from American University.
Cruz also shared insight into her own career and broke down how a newsroom operates.
As an investigative reporter at Telemundo 44, Cruz covered a range of stories impacting local communities, focusing on accountability and in-depth reporting. She highlighted the range of roles involved in producing a newscast — from reporters and producers to photojournalists and camera operators — stressing that success in journalism is not limited to on-camera positions.
“A newsroom is made up of many moving parts,” Cruz said. “You don’t have to be in front of the camera to make an impact.”
After the presentation, students heard from NBC4 news director Anthony Mague and Telemundo 44 news director Anna Daniela Barrera, who answered questions about their careers, industry expectations and maintaining work-life balance.
Mague shared a simple strategy he uses to manage stress during the workday.
“I like to take five-minute breaks at the gym in our studio basement,” he said.
NBC4 Vice President of News Mike Goldrick also spoke about his career and what he looks for in aspiring journalists. He said when reviewing internship applications, he is in search of passionate candidates.
“We want to see that you care — that you want to be in local news, that you want to do what we do every day,” Goldrick said.
The evening concluded with a networking mixer, where students connected with NBC4 and Telemundo 44 staff, and journalists from other stations. Attendees also received a behind-the-scenes tour of the studio.
For many students, the event offered more than just writing tips — it provided a clearer picture of what a future in broadcast journalism could look like.
Featured Image: NBC4 producer Brandon Benavides and Telemundo 44 reporter Carolina Cruz lead a workshop at NBC4’s Washington studio on March 24, where local university students learned how to write for broadcast and received career advice. Photo by Duda Maciel.