Leyla Parra

Twenty years ago, I published my first story for a Jerusalem weekly newspaper. Since then, I
gained knowledge, connections and a deep understanding of covering the news in Israel,
Palestine, U.S. and parts of the world. With my ability to navigate Israel & Palestine, I conducted hard­ hitting investigations which revealed secret money trails of corrupt politicians, recognized tendencies in
social networks, uncovered military wrongdoings and produced breaking news coverage for both
local and international audiences.

My investigative storytelling crossed multiple platforms, from writing for reputable print newspapers
and magazines, such as Haaretz and Harper’s, to digital platforms like ProPublica, Mashable, Quartz and Fusion. As the local field producer of Japanese­ based Fuji TV news for eight years, I coordinated all crews sent to Israel by choosing compelling news topics for coverage, selecting the best filming locations and identifying interviewees. With this responsibility, I produced Fuji’s coverage of the disengagement from Gaza, wars in Lebanon and Gaza, election campaigns, the visit of Japanese Prime Minister in Israel and much more.

Over the years, I also worked as the local producer for some of U.K.’s Channel 4 “Unreported World” documentaries, a PBS’s “Frontline” episode, Morgan Spurlock’s “Where in the World is Osama Bin­-Laden” feature film and more. Radio coverage provided a new challenge during my recent work as fixer and producer for BBC World Service during the Israel’s election period.

During my Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard University, I researched different models for an investigative news platform, while gaining video editing experience, innovative reporting skills, storytelling abilities, data­ mining and visualization tools. I also participated in a hands ­on, intensive seminar on the future of journalism at MIT’s Media Lab.

Currently based out of D.C., I am available to work in the