Asian American Journalists to Follow: AAPI Heritage Month 2025
Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.
As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this May, we’re sharing a comprehensive list of Asian American journalists making significant contributions to our media landscape. Despite persistent representation challenges, these professionals bring essential perspectives to newsrooms across the country.
A 2024 analysis by the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) Broadcast Snapshot Project revealed concerning gaps: no Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women appear on-air in 25 of 94 surveyed stations, while AANHPI men are absent from 67 of 94 stations. Overall, just 1% of 3,297 broadcasters identified are AANHPI men. CeFaan Kim, ABC News Correspondent, highlighted the need for Asian American representation in media through his account of feeling responsibility as an AAHPI reporter while covering anti-Asian hate crimes. Kim stated: “The reality is, as a journalist, the foundation of why we do what we do is to be a voice for the voiceless…So, what is the purpose of advocating for diversity in newsrooms if it’s not to exercise that unique connection and perspective to those communities?”
Offering their own individual perspectives to today’s newsrooms, the journalists featured in our list span numerous areas of focus — from breaking news and politics to culture, food, and technology. Check it out:
Breaking News/General News
- Aditi Sangal – Breaking News Writer, CNN Digital Worldwide
- Esha Ray – National News, The New York Times
- CeFaan Kim – WABC-TV News Correspondent
- Kelly Kasulis Cho – Breaking News Reporter and Editor, The Washington Post
- Jintak Han – Breaking News Photography Editor, The Washington Post
- MJ Lee – Senior National Enterprise Correspondent, CNN
Business/Finance/Economics
- Brian Cheung – Business and Data Correspondent, NBC News
- Hannah Miao – Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
- Nikhilesh De – Managing Editor, Global Policy & Regulation, CoinDesk
- Varsha Bansal – Independent Journalist
Politics/Government
- Scott Wong – Senior Congressional Reporter, NBC News
- Nicholas Wu – Congressional Reporter, POLITICO
- Terry Tang – Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times
- Mihir Zaveri – Housing Reporter, The New York Times
- Kimmy Yam – Reporter, NBC Asian America
International/World News
- Emily Feng – International Correspondent, NPR
- Nithin Coca – Global Freelance Journalist
Health/Science
- Rong-Gong Lin II – Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times
- Tracy Jan – Deputy Health and Science Editor, The Washington Post
- Ed Yong, Science and Health Journalist
Culture/Arts/Entertainment
- Ko Lyn Cheang – Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle
- Kayla Hui – Independent Writer and Photographer
- Robin Kawakami – Assistant Editor on the Culture Desk, The New York Times
- Matt Stevens – Arts and Culture Reporter, The New York Times
- Priya Krishna – Reporter and Video Host, New York Times Cooking
- Em Chan – Food Reporter, Statesman Journal
Why Representation Matters in Media
The 2024 study AAPI Media & Democracy Survey found that journalists rank among the top trusted messengers for important life decisions in AAPI communities. This trust underscores why diversity in media is critical. The Pulitzer Center acknowledges this importance in its Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: “We acknowledge the richness of lived experiences that each person in our network brings … and commit to actively expanding and diversifying our network. It is our responsibility to allocate our resources in support of journalists and institutions which reflect our diverse communities.”
Em Chan, food and dining reporter for the Statesman Journal, noted, “When I think about AAPI month, I’m proud that the nation puts a spotlight on the individuals past and present making a difference across all industries … We need representation of all types, across all industries. I hope we can get to a point where our representation is part of a regular rotation, but for now I’m so grateful we have the opportunity to showcase us, completely.”
As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month 2025, we recognize that elevating diverse voices in journalism isn’t just about representation — it’s about creating a more complete, accurate picture of our world. The journalists featured in our list contribute invaluable perspectives that enrich American media and, by extension, our democracy.
We hope you’ll explore the work of these talented journalists and support media organizations committed to diverse representation. Because when our newsrooms reflect the full spectrum of American experiences, we all benefit from more nuanced, comprehensive reporting.
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Madison Zadravec is a Customer Content Specialist and Industry Ambassador for PR Newswire. Both roles highlight Madison’s keen eye for detail and passion for brand storytelling. When not immersed in the latest headlines, Madison can be found hiking with her dog, solving a crossword puzzle, or baking a sweet treat.
