Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Juan Manuel Benítez

Political Reporter/Anchor, NY1 Noticias
Age: 37  

Juan Manuel Benítez

Juan Manuel Benítez got his dream job in 2005 when he launched Pura Política, a pioneering political news show for Spanish-language viewers.

At the time, Fernando Ferrer was the Democratic challenger to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and there was a real possibility New York City could elect its first Latino leader.

Ferrer lost, but Benítez got to create perhaps the first political programming for Latinos across the city.

“I love it,” he said. “I got to create and develop the whole idea—the name, the segments. They gave me a lot of freedom here at NY1 to create the show and to have fun with it.”

The hour-long talk show, which includes debates and interviews with both Spanish- and English-speaking politicians, airs every Friday evening.

“I love my job just because to get to ask questions—whatever questions I want—to very important people is a lot of fun,” he said.

Benítez first got interested in politics as a kid growing up in his native Spain when he tagged along with his father, who used to travel to nearby towns during a run for that country’s Senate. Years later he came to the U.S. on a scholarship to study international affairs and media at Columbia University.

Since then he’s pursued another passion, teaching, as an adjunct journalism professor at CUNY. And he’s also made his mark another way: A Juan Manuel sandwich is available for purchase at Bowery Kitchen at Chelsea Market.

How did your past jobs get you to where you are now?
“I interned at the UN and at many news organizations. I also used to work for Hispanic Market Weekly and I used to do freelance for some documentaries for the Discovery Channel when I was in D.C.”

What will your business card say in five years?
“‘Reporter and Professor.’ You might be an anchor, you might be a host, you might be an executive at a media company, but I do want to reclaim the title of reporter no matter what I do in my life.”

If you weren’t in politics, what would you be doing?
“Teaching.”

What would be the title of your autobiography?
“We’ll Do It Live!”