We are proud to celebrate Media Defence’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, María Teresa Ronderos, on receiving the prestigious Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize. This award acknowledges her dedication to impactful journalism and her pioneering efforts to drive cross-border collaborations that strengthen journalism across Latin America and beyond.
A renowned Colombian journalist, Ronderos is the co-founder of the Latin American Centre for Investigative Journalism (CLIP). Since CLIP’s launch in 2019, she has spearheaded over 40 cross-border investigations, working with more than 140 media partners to shed light on crucial issues, including migration and disinformation. Her belief in the power of collaboration has defined her approach, allowing her to mentor aspiring journalists, support those working under threat and amplify the impact of critical stories.
Ronderos’s commitment to exposing injustice and giving voice to those affected by it is evident across her career. At VerdadAbierta.com, a platform she co-founded and directed, she partnered with local media and civil society organisations to uncover abuses by warlords in Colombia’s conflict zones. Her acclaimed book Guerras Recicladas delves into Colombia’s turbulent history, examining cycles of violence and resilience. Later, as director of the global journalism program at Open Society Foundations, she helped build alliances that empower media and promote freedom of expression on a global scale.
María Teresa’s dedication to truth has earned her numerous honours, including multiple Simón Bolívar National Journalism Awards, the Maria Moors Cabot Prize, and the Ortega y Gasset Award.
In her role as Media Defence’s Chair, Ronderos brings invaluable insight and passion to our mission, helping us provide accessible and high-quality legal support for journalists worldwide. Her leadership is a testament to her enduring commitment to freedom of the press and her belief in journalism’s power to drive positive change.
In an interview with Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson she noted, “I believe things can always be made better, and I get frustrated when people say something can’t be changed.”
Read more about the prize here.
