Helping Women in News Get the Tech Training They Need to Thrive

By: IJNet | 12/27/2013

Knight International Journalism Fellow Mariana Santos is helping improve visual and interactive storytelling in Latin American media.

Visual journalist Mariana Santos knows what it takes to succeed as a tech-savvy newsroom leader, and she wants to help other women do the same.

That's why Santos, formerly with The Guardian's interactive team, created “Chicas Poderosas” earlier this year to train, engage and inspire Latin American women journalists, designers, programmers and artists. Since May, the project -- which is part of Santos’ ICFJ Knight International Journalism Fellowship -- has reached Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica with workshops and opportunities for learning and networking for both men and women.

During an IJNet Live chat Monday, Santos talked about the nuts and bolts of putting together a Chicas Poderosas event and how to bring one to a city near you.

Read highlights from the chat on IJNet.


The International Journalists' Network, IJNet, keeps professional and citizen journalists up to date on the latest media innovations, online journalism resources, training opportunities and expert advice. ICFJ produces IJNet in seven languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Persian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. IJNet is supported by donors including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Latest News

Independent Journalists Share Their Best Practices for Cultivating Audiences

At the 2025 International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, winners of ICFJ’s inaugural News Creator Award discussed how they successfully navigate the terrain. They shared concrete strategies focused on content, community, storytelling and sustainability, offering valuable insights for peers seeking to connect meaningfully with audiences and solidify their place in the evolving media ecosystem.

NBC News’ Lester Holt to Receive Top Journalism Award

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) has named NBC News anchor Lester Holt the 2025 winner of the ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism. This honor recognizes Holt's exceptional record serving the public with consequential, reliable news coverage for more than four decades.

Journalists from Nigeria and Ghana Win 2025 Michael Elliott Award

Godwin Asediba and Silas Jonathan are the 2025 winners of the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.