"My passion for journalism began in my childhood. I was a child who always liked to ask questions to everyone, and my mother would often feel embarrassed because I would ask people about their lives. I believe that was the beginning of my career." This is how Alejandra Forero's story starts, a passionate journalist whose journey in the world of journalism is marked by her desire to tell stories and keep the community informed.
"Forero chose journalism as her career because she always felt a connection to the world of media and production. For Alejandra, journalism is a powerful channel to inform the community, whether through radio, television, print, or social media." Her career as a journalist began at the age of 18 when she entered university in Bogota. After 5 years of study, she graduated as a Communicator and then pursued a focus on Journalism, along with a Diploma in Strategic Communication Management. After her training, she completed an internship at RCN, one of the most important television networks in Colombia, and worked as a freelancer at Caracol. At the age of 24, she arrived in Aruba, where she began her career in journalism, a place that welcomed Alejandra with open arms from the very beginning. "I have a lot of respect for all the people and self-taught professionals in Aruba who, despite not having studied at a university, work in the field of the press with a lot of experience. I believe our profession is so beautiful and broad that even if I had studied it professionally, it's a passion I have because every day is a different story to tell. Every day, something new happens."
One of the most significant opportunities she found in Aruba was the chance to present news in Spanish, an important language due to the large presence of Colombian and Venezuelan communities on the island. "Well, I don't believe much in coincidences; I believe that when something is meant for you, it's for you. In my case, I believe I have been blessed because when I arrived in Aruba, I didn't know anyone besides my family. So, the journey became a bit more challenging. But through my cousin, I met a man who worked in radio, Oscar Fernandez, a professional in the field." Thanks to his support, Alejandra started working on a Spanish-language radio program and later on a Spanish and bilingual television program.
Since then, she has been involved in various Spanish-language news programs, including 'Primera Plana con Alejandra Forero,' which she created alongside her colleague Aldric Werleman. Additionally, she joined the team at 'Caliente 90.7 FM' in a morning news program. Her versatility as a journalist allowed her to adapt to different media platforms and audiences.
"Alejandra highlights the importance of delivering news in Spanish in Aruba because about 25 to 30% of the population speaks this language. She believes it is essential to keep the community informed, providing them access to relevant local and international information. Her style as a journalist is characterized by dynamism, authenticity, and engaging storytelling. Although she doesn't have a specific specialty, she particularly enjoys telling local stories and events that impact people's lives.
Working as a journalist on an island like Aruba presents challenges, such as time management, but also advantages like a safer community and the opportunity to connect with the audience. Alejandra feels fortunate to have built a strong connection with the Aruban community over the years."
Some significant moments in her career include covering human tragedies, such as the accident involving a family that came from Puerto Rico and lost one of their family members. Alejandra felt deeply for them and shared their story with her audience.
Another unforgettable moment was the announcement of a lockdown during the pandemic when she had to inform the community during a period of uncertainty and fear. Her experience working at Telearuba has been extremely positive, where she is part of a dynamic team and feels fortunate for the synergy they have created with other departments at Telearuba.
"The world is constantly changing. Now, social media is a very important tool for disseminating information, even though there are risks, as sometimes people are misinformed. But in this new era, you also have to transform your content if you want to stay in trend. Yes, it affects television journalism in a way, but you can also offer your information not only on television but also in the digital form, reaching different generations. Because we have many people who like to sit and watch television, and, of course, we have the new generation consuming more social media."
"As for the personal aspect, I have my partner, Jordy. He is a very special person who came into my life at the right moment and added love, understanding, adventure, and a lot of respect. In our case, we don't plan to have children, which was an important point when we met, as we were on the same page. He is my home, my family, and having his own media, photo, and video company, he understands my dynamics, my schedule, and my world."
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