Meet the Emmy nominated journalist reporting from conflict zones

Anelise reports for Euronews from the southern Tripoli front, Libya in 2019.
Anelise reports for Euronews from the southern Tripoli front, Libya in 2019. Copyright @anneliseborges
By Sarah PalmerHannah Brown
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Anelise Borges has been nominated for an International Emmy for her coverage of the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

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Welcome to Euronews Travel’s Women Beyond Borders, the series which brings you real life accounts from women around the world who are living brave, adventurous lives, and conquering personal challenges on the road.

While some are crossing the world in pursuit of the most unique experiences, or pursuing a lifestyle that many would dream of, others are breaking the mould of traditionally male-dominated industries. We want our series to inspire you to believe in the power of your own dreams.

Nominated for an International Emmy Award for News & Current Affairs for her unique coverage of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Anelise Borges is Euronews' international correspondent. 

Anelise has been working in the field for 10 years. In 2018 she joined Euronews, reporting firsthand on major stories across the world and venturing headfirst into ongoing conflicts.

At the end of 2021, Anelise was positioned in Afghanistan to report, from the ground, on the Taliban takeover. Over the course of her career, she has reported from more than 30 countries, covering war and dictatorships from some of the world’s most dangerous zones.

But as she explains in our interview, it’s not necessarily about the heart-stopping moments of fear or the risk that made this work so appealing to her.

She explains, “I don't actually seek war and destruction and sadness. I go after the resilience and these crazy stories of just overcoming all these difficult obstacles.”

What is it like being a journalist in a warzone?

According to Anelise, journalists have it easy. She explains, “Most of the time, 99 per cent of the time, the story's always much more dangerous for the people that are stuck in that story.”

“[The people], they were the ones that were truly risking something. I was there because I wanted to be there. I chose to be there and I could leave whenever I wanted.

“And that's normally the case for us journalists so we can never equal the dangers that we face with the dangers that people that are actually stuck in the story, stuck in the country.”

The advantages of being a female reporter

We all know there are some places in the world which are safer for men than for women.

We ask Anelise how being a woman has impacted her. She believes it actually helps.

“I think women inspire trust and that has helped me a lot throughout the years. People have been more prone to welcome me to their homes, for example, and share with me some of the difficult stories that they had.”

In some cultures, Anelise believes it has helped her gain access to speak to women that she wouldn't have been able to, were she a man. 

How to become an international correspondent

Anelise's biggest tips are: to listen - and to speak.

“Learn different languages. It helps enormously when you can communicate with people,” she advises.

“And listen, listen to the stories around you. You don't need to go to a war torn country to come across some extraordinary people.

“Chances are the cashier in your local supermarket or the guy that delivers your meal through Uber Eats is actually an incredible source of information and of stories. Don't ever dismiss that. Don't ever dismiss the people around you.”

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*Press play on the video above to find out more about Anelise’s award-winningwork.*

Video editor • Laetitia Rodari

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