Carolay Morales: A journalist guided by stories and human connection
Carolay Morales is a Colombian journalist who has spent over 16 years dedicated to one thing: telling stories that move people. Her work blends the rigor of traditional journalism with the authenticity and reach of digital platforms like TikTok, but always centered on the human experience.
She first gained international attention in 2019 with Milagro del destino (Miracle of destiny) a radio piece about a young Venezuelan migrant, Alexander Beja, whose voice stopped a crowd — including the Mexican pop band Camila — in the middle of Bogotá. That unexpected moment led to a life-changing opportunity for Beja and earned Morales the prestigious King of Spain International Journalism Award.
From Colombia’s public television media RTVC to her growing platforms on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, she has consistently focused on migration, environmental conflict, and social justice, themes she explores with empathy, depth, and a sharp reporter’s eye.
Her videos, often shot with just a phone, combine solid research with human presence. What sets her apart isn’t just the stories she tells, but how she tells them, without filters, with sincerity, and always grounded in ethical journalism.
Her move to social media was born out of frustration: the stories cut from traditional news still deserved to be told. On TikTok, she found a platform for those overlooked narratives, and a highly engaged audience.
Moreover, Morales believes journalism is undergoing a transformation. Audiences today are asking for two things: stories that go beyond the problem to show possibilities, and journalists who are genuine, not scripted.
Looking ahead, Morales plans to continue expanding her digital presence while holding firmly to her editorial independence. She believes there are powerful, often invisible stories — what she calls “magical stories”, that can contribute to a deeper understanding of society. Stories that reveal overlooked voices, forgotten places, and the complexity behind human experiences.
Through it all, her mission remains the same: to see people — not headlines, not borders — and to keep telling the stories that deserve to be heard.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
