Luz Mely Reyes, a journalist fighting for press freedom in Venezuela
Luz Mely Reyes (@LuzMelyReyes) is a Venezuelan journalist, entrepreneur, writer and political analyst who co-founded Efecto Cocuyo, an independent media based in Caracas. She worked for the most relevant newspapers in her country as reporter, political editor and investigative editor. In 2012 she became the first woman to be editor in chief of a national Venezuelan newspaper. In 2015, due to the hostile environment for independent media, she quit her position and cofounded Efecto Cocuyo, an innovative site that delivers in-depth reports in a conflictive and restrictive environment. Her project raised $26,428 on a crowdfunding campaign.
Luz believes that the “perfect storm” which is pushing the traditional media is an opportunity for journalists to give a step beyond their traditional role and become in owners of media which can be sustainable and innovative. With Efecto Cocuyo, Venezuelan journalists are introducing new ways to build a strong community of users through social media and apps, especially Twitter and WhatsApp.