Winning four Emmy Awards — two at the regional level and two nationwide — is a remarkable achievement. For Barbara Corbellini Duarte ’13, those honors represent years of disciplined journalism, work that tells complex, human-centered stories with accuracy, empathy, and purpose.
Duarte’s Journalism Journey Started at FIU
Long before Duarte was producing award-winning journalism, she got her start at Florida International University. Through student media, internships, and close relationships with faculty mentors, she gained hands-on experience that helped her build confidence as a reporter and storyteller.
At FIU, she published her first stories, learned how to conduct meaningful interviews, embraced constructive feedback, and began to understand the true impact of journalism.
Beyond the classroom, FIU became a source of lifelong friendships. Through the journalism program and student media, she built relationships that extended far beyond graduation, with many of those connections remaining part of her life today.
Leading Video Storytelling at Business Insider
Fast forward to today: Duarte oversees one of the most influential digital video operations in contemporary media as the Head of Video and Executive Producer at Business Insider.
Throughout her eight years at the company, she has pitched viral videos that launched successful Facebook pages, led the BI Today daily show, and helped develop some of the outlet’s most-viewed YouTube programming.
That work has paid off. Her team’s reporting has earned them an Emmy® recognition for projects such as “The Man Who Feeds Gaza’s Children” and “The True Cost of Mining Electric Car Battery Metals,” two powerful reports that highlight the human and environmental consequences behind global systems.
Her award-winning work also includes a documentary focused on essential workers in New York during the pandemic, as well as a multigenerational documentary exploring the Black Lives Matter movement.
Additionally, she has played a pivotal role in teams whose work has earned recognition, from the Edward R. Murrow Awards, the Webby Awards, and the Gerald Loeb Awards.
Duarte’s Philosophy: Journalism as Impact, Responsibility, and Human Connection
For Duarte, the value of journalism has never been in the metrics alone. Beyond views or accolades, she believes its real purpose is to pursue truth with fairness and without bias, while presenting stories with the depth and balance audiences deserve. In her own words, “Journalism should strive to report fairly, seek truth without bias, and allow audiences to form their own conclusions.”
At a time when algorithms, artificial intelligence, and shifting media habits continue to reshape the industry, Duarte remains committed to the principles she believes matter most.
Advice for future students and aspiring journalists
For future FIU students and aspiring journalists, Duarte’s advice is grounded in her own experience: master the fundamentals, especially writing and critical thinking. “Take advantage of every opportunity you’re given, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Seek mentorship, build relationships with professors, and never shy away from feedback.”
She also encourages students to pursue extracurricular activities that foster creativity, teamwork, and balance. Above all, she urges students to stay curious, stay authentic, and remain committed to storytelling that matters.
For Duarte, journalism will continue to evolve, but the responsibility to write with integrity and purpose remains constant.
