Maria Elena is the Social Media Editor for The World.
She is a multimedia journalist with a dedication to channeling storytelling through social media. She likes reaching and engaging with new audiences and taking chances to experiment.
Maria Elena worked in international development before switching careers to journalism over a decade ago.
Prior to joining The World, Maria Elena covered Latin America as a TV producer for Al Jazeera English, working on breaking news, feature stories and documentaries in most countries in Latin America and all Brazilian states.
She also worked as a senior planning producer for Al Jazeera America in New York. Besides English, she is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
In addition to her social media work, Maria Elena was the project manager for the 'Every 30 Seconds' multi-media project — a collaboration between The World and public radio stations across the US, following the stories of young Latino voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
VIDEO: The environmental impact of the war in Ukraine
Damages to the environment are widespread and will continue to impact Ukrainians for decades to come.
VIDEO EXPLAINER: How the war in Ukraine is affecting wheat exports and food culture in Senegal
New York City urges migrants to find shelter elsewhere, but many don’t know where to turn
Muslims in Senegal prepare for Eid al-Adha celebrations
Young Senegalese feel the impact of the country's political crisis
VIDEO: Ukraine’s year of war, displacement and no end in sight
The World’s correspondents Daniel Ofman, Durrie Bouscaren and Shirin Jaafari reflect on some of the key moments of the ongoing war in Ukraine that has affected millions of people.
A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist
Music is part of The World’s DNA and, as it turns out, it is something many of the show’s staff appreciate. This playlist with their recommendations will take you on a journey around the globe.
Dance with The World, 2021 edition: A playlist
Forget political crises, breakthroughs in space exploration and crypto: Here is The World’s 2021 music recommendations to get you dancing into the new year.
José González’s 'Local Valley' mixes sounds from West Africa, from the Sahel to Ghanaian highlife
Over his 18-year music career, José González has tapped into sounds from three continents: Brazilian bossa nova, Swedish hardcore punk, and now, West African styles.
Elvis Costello’s ‘Spanish Model’ brings back rock-and-roll classics to a Spanish-speaking audience
Grammy award-winning musician Elvis Costello has a new album, but you won't hear his voice on it. This time, it’s a remix featuring voices from across the Spanish-singing world.
Kiki Valera on Son cubano and how he developed a unique musical perspective
At the age of 16, Valera started to salvage radio and TV parts out of discarded electronics to build his own shortwave receiver and transmitter, connecting him to a wider world of musical trends.
Lakou Mizik’s new album highlights Haiti’s creative spirit
Hatian band Lakou Mizik’s “Leave the Bones,” in collaboration with DJ and producer Joseph Ray of Nero, mixes traditional sounds with electronic beats.
‘I can speak the language of rhyme:’ Dakota Camacho on Guam, family and hip-hop
Seattle-based artist Dakota Camacho went on a quest to understand the complexities of their ancestors’ history, the Chamorro people. In the process, Camacho developed a unique hip-hop style inspired by their ancestors.
The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners
We asked The World’s listeners to share what Eid al-Fitr means to them and their families. Here’s what they told us.
New album lifts up the voices of ostracized women in northern Ghana’s ‘witch camps’
The stories of these women, who remain vulnerable, can now be heard on an album called "I've forgotten now who I used to be."