¡Hola! My name is Gabriela Barzallo
I am a bilingual journalist, documentary filmmaker, and media entrepreneur based between Ecuador and New York City.
Born and raised in Ecuador, I moved to the U.S. in 2014, thanks to my immigrant mother, to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. I graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in Media, Culture, and Communication,
I specialize in storytelling across platforms, focusing on my two worlds: Latin America and the United States.
As a bilingual journalist, I am a contributor to international media outlets in both English and Spanish, including The Guardian, Al Jazeera, BBC Future, and El País. I've reported from Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, the U.S., Colombia, and the Amazon rainforest, covering human rights, the environment, reproductive rights, immigration, and more.
Honors and Awards
I've had the honor of receiving fellowships and grants for my reporting such as:
One World Media (2022 International Fellow)
Solutions Journalism Network (Climate Fellow)
International Women’s Media Foundation (Reproductive Justice Reporting Fellow)
GRID-Arendal (Environmental Investigative Fellow)
The Uproot Project (Environmental Justice Fellow)
Google News Initiative (Media Entrepreneur Cohort)
Among my achievements, I contributed to the development of the Climate Solutions Reporting Guide with the Solutions Journalism Network, and having a story recognized for its impact on influencing policy change in Ecuador.
Selected articles:
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Al Jazeera: ‘Modern-day slaves’ seek justice in landmark trial
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El Pais: ¿Puede la bioeconomía tomar el relevo al petróleo en la Amazonia?
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The Guardian: Stickers, soap and legal help: the rise of Mexico City’s ‘feminist markets’
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Al Jazeera: In Brazil, an abortion debate pits feminists against the church
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Al Jazeera: ‘The only way for us to survive’: The life of a New York City candy seller
Film & TV samples
A toxic legacy
(Director)
This short documentary explores the 30-year history of pollution and government neglect in the Ecuadorian Amazon, all stemming from the operations of Texaco Chevron. The film delves into the lasting impact on local communities and the ongoing struggle for justice.
(Currently in production)
Social Media Journalism
Spanish Tik Tok Explainer
English IG Reel Report
Bilingual Reel report
My digital startup:
In addition to being a storyteller, I'm a media entrepreneur.
I've participated in the Google News Initiative and the Craig Newmark Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program, where I began developing LAT MEDIA, a digital startup dedicated to explaining Latin America and US-Latin American relations to younger generations. The platform also seeks to connect local Latin American storytellers with global audiences.
