Venezuela
Leon Hernández is a communications professional in Venezuela. His career began in editing and broadcast journalism in RCTV, a major independent news network. In 2014, Hernández joined Universidad Central de Venezuela as a professor of broadcast journalism. Additionally, he managed the Democratic Unity political coalition press team. He and his team provided full coverage of the 2015 legislative elections. Hernández developed and executed the communications strategy that led to the Democracy Unity Roundtable, which achieved a majority in the National Assembly. Hernández seeks to promote democracy through uncensored and objective media outlets.
Hernández was one of the four recipients of the 2018 McCain Institute Catalyst Grant, which he used to found the Venezuelan onlineTV channel “Por Nuestra Tierra TV” (For Our Land TV), the first public service streaming news channel in his country. Hernández also used the grant to accelerate the production of news content for Por NuestraTierra and to create partnerships with other media organizations advocating for democratic values in Venezuela. By doing so, he helped to encourage social change through independent social communication and inspired a new generation of Venezuelan journalists.
Hernández is a recipient of the COVID-19 In The Arena Grant. With this micro-grant, he will fight the “infodemic” of disinformation in Venezuela through publications that promote scientific evidence and dismantle the fake news about COVID-19 circulating the country.
Placement Organization: The Miami Herald
If you would like to be connected to a Next Generation Leader, please email [email protected].
