Merella Fernandez Reporter/Anchor, CityPulse & CP24 Written by Preeti Thandi

   • CityPulse
   • CP24

Merella Fernandez loved to write and she chose journalism as a way of making a career out of it. “I did an internship in television that opened a door for me... then just kept going,” she says. Merella was writing for both CTV News and Canada AM before she was hired as a writer at Citytv.

“I don't think being from an ethnic community has held me back,” she says. “I've always worked in Toronto, where diversity is the norm. People are very interested in my background, and always want to know more about it.”

Talking about what she brings to media with her South Asian heritage she says, “I always seem to empathize with the ‘little guy’. Like many Canadians, I'm an immigrant -- growing up here wasn't always easy. I bring those experiences to my job.” Merella describes her experience so far as, “overwhelming at times. But I've definitely

accomplished more than I ever imagined I would,” she says.“As for balance between work and life, sometimes it is hard. I try to keep work at work, but that's not always possible.”

Her advice to aspiring journalists - “If this is what you want to do, be prepared for a wild ride. It's a tough business that will bring you your best and worst moments and they'll be public!”
Speaking about current trends she says, “There are more ethnic faces out there now, than ever. I think that will continue.”

On being a woman in media - “I think women approach stories differently. That means we tell them differently. But there is still a boys club out there and that's not always easy to crack.”