The Next Generation of Storytellers: Zenida Lanza at News 5

Beyond the headlines journalism is about connecting people to the truth, shining a light on what matters, and telling the stories that shape our everyday lives. At News 5, we believe every story has power, and every moment in the newsroom is a chance to make an impact. Stepping into this whirlwind world is Zenida Lanza, a bright-eyed intern taking her first steps at Greater Belize Media. She’s diving headfirst into the fast-paced rhythm of reporting, learning the ropes of accuracy, integrity, and storytelling that leaves a mark. News 5’s Sabreena Daly caught up with Zenida to talk about her journey so far and what it’s like to start chasing stories from the ground up. It’s all part of this week’s inspiring edition of Bright Side.

 

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

Keyboards clicking in rapid rhythm, phones ringing, and ideas bounce from one desk to another. This is the heartbeat of a newsroom. Amid the fast pace, the team remembers the arrival of its newest storyteller, the rookie with a notebook full of dreams. Today that fresh voice is Zenida Lanza, charting her own beginning at Greater Belize Media.

 

Zenida Lanza, Intern, Greater Belize Media

“New beginnings for me is a step into a new direction. I was a student before and now I am stepping into the professional field and it’s my future.”

 

Just three weeks into her journey, Zenida is already finding her footing when she jumped at the chance to intern at GBM only two weeks after graduating college in Taiwan.

 

Zenida Lanza

“ Coming from a small community in Isabella Bank to being in Belize City, working at, I guess, the most advanced media house in Belize. It’s just crazy and I really look forward to continuing to develop and mature and being more confident within this field.”

 

Overseeing Zenida’s first steps in the newsroom is Isani Cayetano. A seasoned journalist with more than twenty years of experience, Cayetano recalls beginning his own career in journalism much like Zenida, right here at GBM.

 

Isani Cayetano, News Director, Greater Belize Media

“ I would do an internship here in Belize at Channel Five. Needless to say, it was under the leadership of Stewart Khrohn and we were located on Regent Street at the old building, and that was quite a learning experience for me.  In the sense that it was a small but dedicated news team and the passion and hunger for news back then was in a sense, different from what it is today.”

 

These days, Cayetano wears the hat of News Director at GBM and in a newsroom where every second is a deadline, his job is about more than just managing stories. He’s the steady hand behind the scenes, mentoring fresh talent, helping newcomers find their footing, and creating a space where learning isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected.

 

Isani Cayetano

“ When I look at young interns who come through Channel Five, GBM wants them to learn what it is that we do as journalists, as videographers, or in whatever capacity they’re interning in. It’s an opportunity for us to share knowledge. It’s an opportunity for us to hear what the young interns’ expectations are in terms of this particular business that we’re in. And I think most importantly, it’s an opportunity to mentor.”

 

For Zenida Lanza, the classroom was just the beginning. Now, she’s putting those journalism lessons to the test out in the field, where every detail matters. She’s seeing firsthand how accuracy, timeliness, and the weight of a story come together in real-world reporting. And here at Greater Belize Media, those values aren’t just taught, they’re lived. It’s a proud moment for any young journalist, and Zenida’s making the most of it.

Zenida Lanza

“ In my journalism studies, they teach you a lot about accuracy, timeliness, and prominence of news because there are different news values. And so the importance of having that news story within the newscast, like how do you determine it and write a story that has these values within it. A big one for me as a reporter and something I keep in mind is releasing a story that has inaccurate information.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“ Because we have a standard that we must uphold, it is imperative upon people like myself to ensure that what it is that you’re presenting is in line ethically with what our responsibilities to our public are. So those are some of the key things that any young reporter or a young intern would walk away from at the end of his or her time with us.”

 

Journalists carry a responsibility like no other. They are history keepers, truth tellers, and bearers of messages that inform, inspire, and sometimes even heal. ​​As she navigates her first steps in the newsroom, Zenida Lanza represents the promise of the next generation of storytellers, carrying the weight of responsibility and striving to make her mark with every story. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.