Bogotá, Colombia. -Within the framework of the fourteenth edition of the Gabo Festival 2026, one of the most important gatherings in Ibero-America dedicated to journalism, literature, and culture, the director of Mataperrea, Carolina Morales, urged young journalists to commit to collective work, the creation of communities, and independent journalism as tools to face the challenges of the profession.
Under the slogan “Here we are. Here we count”, the Gabo Festival brings together journalists, writers, artists, researchers, students, and opinion leaders from Latin America and other regions of the world to reflect on the challenges of democracy, freedom of expression, disinformation, artificial intelligence, and new ways of narrating reality.
During the “Journalism one-on-one” conversation, Morales pointed out that one of the main challenges for those starting out in the profession is the difficulty in accessing job opportunities, in a context marked by the reduction of spaces in traditional media and the precariousness of journalistic practice.
“As young journalists, sometimes it is difficult to find a place to practice journalism, to search, to wait for a call, and then suddenly that call never comes,” he/she expressed.
However, he stated that the growth of independent and alternative media opens up new possibilities for undertaking journalistic projects and developing innovative proposals with social impact.
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The journalist urged the new professionals not to face the challenges of the trade alone and to strengthen alliances with universities, social organizations, collectives, and other spaces that promote collaboration and learning.
“First, I would tell them to believe in collectivity, to believe in community, in cooperativism,” he maintained, considering that collaborative work can become a path to achieving economic sustainability and emotional well-being.
Morales explained that, after five years of experience, Mataperrea has proven that building a community around the media outlet has been fundamental to its growth. He indicated that this support has not only translated into financial contributions and donations, but also into support for the team’s mental health and the strengthening of their commitment to journalism.
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“That community provides us with both financial support and mental health support; it motivates us and reminds us that the work we do has meaning,” he/she stated.
At the same time, he encouraged young journalists not to get discouraged when opportunities take time to arrive and reminded them that there are always people and media outlets with whom they can establish connections to continue growing professionally.
“Do not feel alone. There are other people and other media that can be spaces to connect, converse, and continue weaving opportunities,” he concluded.
This session of the Gabo Festival 2026 highlights that, in addition to innovating in formats and narratives, the future of journalism depends on the ability to build communities, strengthen collaborative work, and generate a social impact that transcends the immediacy of digital platforms.
