This article is part of a series of interviews with people who work in the media to provide the news and views that shape our perceptions of world affairs. Kersty Nina Alvis, a journalist from Peru, spoke to UN Today about her life and career in media.

What is your professional background?

I was born in the white city of Arequipa, Peru, and moved to Lima at the age of four for educative purposes. From the age of seven, I was captivated by the journalistic reports and social news segments presented on television by a distinctive journalist who years later, would become my boss. This journalist had a unique trait that captured the attention of curious minds. It was then that I knew clearly what my professional path would be.

I graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences, following a research project on interpersonal relationships and their impact on institutional identification compared to other factors. This research allowed me to delve into the fields of organizational communication and psychology—areas that intrigue me due to their exploration of human behavior.

My professional career began as a news writer in the Press Department at UAP University in Argentina in 2018. During this time, I focused on writing news articles and presenting inspiring stories of student volunteers from around the world. In 2019, I returned to Peru and embraced a new professional challenge with the Jurado Nacional de Elecciones (JNE), the entity responsible for overseeing Peruvian elections. I worked as a journalist on its TV station JNETV, the only one of its kind in Latin America. As a reporter, I covered the Extraordinary Congressional Elections of 2020, the General Elections of 2021, their Second Round, and the Municipal and Regional Elections of 2022. As a presenter, I hosted programs such as JNE Regional, Guía Electoral, and Conoce a tu candidato, which featured electoral and cultural content and were broadcast to around 22 departments of the country.

In mid-2022, I decided to take a brief career hiatus to improve my English, believing that we have only one life to take risks and pursue our dreams. I currently work as a freelance social communicator for the private sector in Lima and as an English-Spanish interpreter for an international company based in the United States. I’m preparing for a master’s program in storytelling with a focus on health, recognizing that storytelling is a crucial tool for conveying clear and effective messages.

What’s the best interview you’ve ever done?

In 2017, I conducted a written report on child labor in Lima, and one of the most significant interviews was with a 9-year-old whom I will refer to as Adrian. It was around 6 p.m., and Adrian was preparing to sell his homemade eggnog ice creams. He looked tired and disheartened, but he would not return home until he had sold all the ice creams he had left.

At first, Adrian was reluctant to talk, but he gradually opened up, albeit with some difficulty in expressing himself. His subdued voice and the way he dragged out his words indicated that he had endured very tough conditions. He shared that some months earlier, his house had burned down and due to a lack of resources both he and his younger siblings had to leave school to work on the streets.

Adrian confessed that he missed studying, especially math class. When I asked him what he would wish for if he could make one wish, he replied that he would want a watch. Intrigued, I asked why. He explained that he wanted the watch to keep track of the time so he wouldn’t get home too late. His words left a profound and lasting impression on me.

Interview with the current President of the Peruvian electoral entity, JNE, following the 2021 presidential debate.

Who are your dream interviewees?

I would be interested in reporting from regions affected by war or significant political and social conflicts. Covering these areas would allow me to present the raw, unfiltered experiences of those living in neglected or devastated societies. It would be an honor to bring their voices to the forefront, especially for a Spanish-speaking audience.

What is your view on the role of media?

The media should focus on providing information based on facts and concrete data. The polarization during the recent presidential elections in Peru highlighted how the lack of objectivity in some media outlets, by aligning with certain political factions, exacerbated confusion and mistrust among voters. This demonstrates that media must avoid biases and personal judgments to fulfil their role of informing clearly and accurately, allowing citizens to form well-founded opinions on political events and processes.

What is your vision of media 10 years from now?

In Peru, we are witnessing a transition from traditional journalism to digital platforms like YouTube, where journalists excluded from established media due to political issues are creating independent programs. In the coming decade, this phenomenon could grow significantly, driven by increasing distrust in traditional media, which once dominated the news landscape. As artificial intelligence advances, it is likely to facilitate the spread of fake news on social media, further complicating the fight against misinformation.

This environment may deepen public distrust in information sources, highlighting the urgent need to develop effective strategies for verifying the accuracy of information and maintaining transparency in digital journalism. Adapting to these challenges, along with appropriate regulation and evolving audience preferences, will be crucial in defining the future of media in the next decade.

Could you share an interesting work-related anecdote?

An interesting anecdote from my work occurred during the 2021 presidential elections when I interviewed then-candidate Rafael López Aliaga after his participation in the presidential debate. During the debate, his performance was clearly affected by voice issues and a confusing reference to his campaign in Puno, which seemed more like an attempt to deflect attention than to contribute anything relevant.

At the end of the debate, during our interview, I noticed his hand trembling, his voice remaining unstable, and his face was slightly damp, visibly affected by stress. This moment highlighted how lack of preparation and nervousness can significantly impact performance. The experience not only revealed weaknesses in his preparation but also demonstrated how pressure can make even the most confident politicians falter.

Interestingly, I was also somewhat tense, hoping the interview would go well. But seeing López Aliaga in such an unstable state, as if he had run a marathon, made me feel a bit less anxious, realizing that if politicians also face these moments of panic, at least I wasn’t alone on the roller coaster of pressure. It was a humorous lesson that, in politics as in any stressful situation, tremors and lack of clarity are universal challenges.