Joumana Bercetche is making a significant impact in international media as the new host of Bloomberg's "Horizons Middle East and Africa." Her role extends beyond reporting financial news; it involves sharing the stories of the Arab world with Western audiences. Bercetche emphasizes the importance of bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding through her journalism.
Background and Career Shift
- Education and Early Career: Bercetche studied Economics at the American University of Beirut and spent over a decade in finance at prominent institutions like Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Merrill Lynch.
- Transition to Journalism: She made a career switch to journalism in 2017, initially creating research videos for Citigroup, which led her to explore broadcast journalism. Bercetche took a leap of faith to pursue this new path, believing that she could express her interests more broadly in media.
Role and Responsibilities
- Storytelling: Bercetche views her job as both a host and a storyteller, with the opportunity to highlight the region's rapid transformations, particularly initiatives like Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
- Cultural Connection: Her fluency in Arabic helps her connect with regional audiences, making them feel comfortable sharing their perspectives.
Challenges and Advocacy
- Public Scrutiny: She has learned to manage criticism, advising others to focus on constructive feedback and disregard unhelpful commentary.
- Balancing Work and Family: Bercetche is a mother and acknowledges the challenges of balancing her career with family life, emphasizing the support she has received from female mentors.
Advice for Aspiring Journalists
Bercetche encourages aspiring journalists to be curious, ask questions, and learn from their mistakes, advocating for hard work and patience in building a successful career.
For more insights into her journey and views on journalism, you can read the full article on Arab News here.
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