THP 30: Valeria Massarelli

Program: Journalism
Current Position: Intern, Trust for the Americas, Organization of American States
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
LinkedIn: Valeria Massarelli

Describe an interesting trend you see emerging in your profession and how you think it will affect the field:

Journalism is dynamic. Ten years ago, journalists had time to report on a breaking news story because they would write for the next day newspapers or prepare for a television night show. Now, citizens have information just by touching their smartphones. It has been interesting to learn about this challenge where you have to work against the clock and still provide accurate information.

Who (or what) has inspired you and how has your life changed as a result?

What is happening in my country, Venezuela, has inspired me to go into journalism. Venezuela is going through the worst humanitarian crisis in its history. People are eating only once a day because there isn't any food, and the national media is not allowed to report on it. In Venezuela, freedom of speech is no longer a right, and the government censors the media. This situation made me want to become a journalist because I think it is my duty to tell the world about the oppression in my country, and how journalists are being persecuted for telling the truth. Venezuela has inspired me to be a fighter, and I will always fight for it, even at a distance.