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Check FAQAbout Cecilia
I am a multilingual reporter currently on leave of absence from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal, where I covered the European pharmaceutical industry, healthcare and various business topics for the past three and a half years. At the moment I am pursuing freelance writing and documentary projects out of Barcelona, Spain, though I am open to travel for assignments. My previous journalistic experience includes reporting on migration, human rights, technology, international affairs and culture, both in print and video. Previously to joining The Wall Street Journal in 2020, I worked for Agence France-Presse, the Italian newspaper La Stampa, and on different international collaborative journalistic projects, including the investigative phase of a PBS Frontline production. I had my writing and videos published in Deutsche Welle, Foreign Policy, Coda Story, QuickTake by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal among others. On the documentary side, three short films I co-produced and co-directed with the Barcelona-based production company Otoxo Productions have been recognized in international festivals. My gear: Nikon D7200 with Sigma 18-300 /Nikon 50 mm, Røde shotgun mic / Synco radio mike, Manfrotto light tripod
Portfolio
The Olympics Transformed a Tiny Italian Village — But at a High Cost
Cortina d’Ampezzo, a small Italian mountain town, is set to co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics with Milan, 70 years after its first hosting in 1956. The event is seen by politicians as a means to boost the regional economy and reaffirm Cortina as a winter sports destination. However, the development has led to increased foreign capital and tourism for the wealthy, pricing out residents and complicating local life. The Olympics and other big events are believed to solve some issues, but the reality is more complex, with a lack of investment in basic services for residents, leading to emigration and population decline. The author explores the town's transformation, including the controversial rebuilding of a 1920s bobsled track, and reflects on the changing dynamics of housing affordability, the impact on local communities, and the debate between tourism development and the need for essential services.
Ypsomed to Supply Novo Nordisk With Autoinjectors
Swiss medical-devices manufacturer Ypsomed will supply Novo Nordisk with a significant quantity of 1-milliliter autoinjectors under a long-term agreement. Ypsomed plans to expand its manufacturing capacities and will allow third-party manufacturers to produce under a royalty scheme. The deal is not expected to materially impact Ypsomed's financial outlook for the current year.
Italian workers protest against open factories – DW – 03
Trade unions in Italy are urging the government to revise the list of industries exempt from shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, concerned for workers' health and safety. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced a shutdown of non-essential industrial activities, but a list of 97 exempt sectors was released, causing unrest among workers. Strikes in Lombardy began as negotiations continued. Workers like Massimo Dicanosa from TE Connectivity and Stefano Zulian from Avio-Aero shared their concerns and experiences with workplace safety measures. Labor law professor Maurizio Del Conte criticized the government's broad approach, suggesting a more tailored response. Maria Cristina Terrenati from Fim-Cisl reported calls from workers in smaller factories who felt unprotected. The article highlights the tension between maintaining industrial activity and ensuring worker safety during the pandemic.
Did authorities in Lombardy get it badly wrong?
The article discusses the situation in Lombardy, Italy, where medical staff have criticized the government for inadequate protection and measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. General practitioners, including Paola Pedrini and Alessandra Raimondi, have highlighted the late arrival of protective equipment and delayed guidelines, which they believe contributed to the spread of the virus among healthcare workers and the community. A cease-and-desist letter was sent to health authorities, accusing them of failing to act promptly when WHO issued pandemic warnings. The region's health department acknowledged issues with protective gear availability. The article also mentions the high number of physician deaths in Italy and the need for proactive measures to prevent healthcare system collapse.
Pandemic’s Hidden Toll: Millions in U.K. Await Treatment, but Not for Covid-19
Philippa Hetherington, diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, faced delays in her treatment due to the Covid-19 surge in the UK. The lung specialists at Churchill Hospital in Oxford were redeployed to handle Covid-19 cases, preventing her from getting a timely lung biopsy. This delay resulted in her missing the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial for immunotherapy. Despite the setback, she is now undergoing chemotherapy, which is expected to be effective for her type of cancer.
The coronavirus pandemic has left musicians in Venice struggling to make ends meet, losing jobs at venues that rely on international tourism. Role: shooter, producer.
A Ukranian children's book illustrator tries to come to terms with building a new life and the healing role of art after fleeing the brutal invasion of her country. Role: co-director, co-producer.
Approaching the end of his long life, Joan Carulla reflects on the events that led him to be an environmentalist, and hopes that future generations will follow in his footsteps. Role: co-director, co-producer.
When Andrea Wilshusen realized that skateboarding had saved them from the rejection and bullying they had experienced as a gender non-conforming person, they decided to give back to the community. Role: co-director, co-producer.
Telekom Austria's Tower Business Listing Expected Around Sept. 22
Telekom Austria announced that its tower business, EuroTeleSites, is expected to be listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange around September 22, following its spinoff. Shareholders of Telekom Austria will receive one EuroTeleSites share for every four shares they hold. The listing of Telekom Austria's own shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange will remain unchanged. The spinoff is set to occur just before the end of the third reporting quarter for Telekom Austria.
Universal Music, Deezer Join Forces on Established-Artist Streaming Model -- 2nd Update
Universal Music Group is collaborating with Deezer to introduce a new streaming model in France during the fourth quarter, aimed at better compensating established artists. This model will prioritize artists with at least 1,000 monthly streams from 500 unique listeners and will devalue non-artist noise content. The move addresses the issue of content clutter on streaming platforms, which hinders the discovery of artists. The partnership is seen as beneficial for Universal Music Group's share of royalty payments from Deezer, although Deezer's market share is relatively small globally.
Universal Music, Deezer Join Forces on Established Streaming Model -- Update
Universal Music Group is collaborating with Deezer to introduce a new streaming model in France during Q4, aimed at better rewarding established artists and addressing the issue of non-engaging content uploads. The model will prioritize artists with over 1,000 monthly streams from at least 500 unique listeners, while devaluing 'non-artist noise content.' This partnership is seen as beneficial for Universal Music Group's royalty payments from Deezer, although Deezer's market share is relatively small globally. The move reflects the music industry's response to the challenges posed by the digital streaming landscape.
Roche's Blood Disorder Drug Crovalimab Takes Step Toward FDA Approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted Roche's application for the monoclonal antibody crovalimab, a potential treatment for the rare blood condition paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The acceptance is based on Phase 3 study results, though full approval is pending further investigation. Crovalimab could become the first monthly subcutaneous treatment for the condition, allowing self-administration by patients.
Italian Bank Shares Plunge on Windfall Tax
Italian banks' shares, including Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit, experienced a sharp decline after the Italian government approved a windfall tax on their profits for 2023. The tax, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, is set at 40% of banks' extra profits and is expected to generate several billion euros in tax revenue. This measure is intended to support mortgage payments and tax cuts. The announcement negatively impacted the shares of smaller banks like Banco BPM, BPER Banca, and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and also affected European banking stocks, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Banks index falling by 1.5%. Citi analysts have expressed that the tax could reduce Italian banks' earnings by approximately 19% and their book value by about 3%.
Bayer Hit by Around $2.5 Billion of Impairments at Ailing Crop Business
Bayer experienced a second-quarter loss widening due to impairments and charges in its agricultural business, primarily from lower glyphosate prices. The company reported a net loss of EUR 1.88 billion, a significant increase from the previous year's EUR 298 million loss. Sales matched the forecast at EUR 11.04 billion, and EBITDA before special items fell to EUR 2.53 billion from EUR 3.35 billion. Bayer confirmed its revised full-year sales guidance, indicating a 2% to 3% decline, with the Crop Science division expected to see a 5% sales drop and pharmaceutical sales remaining stable.
Governments of the world just ramped up spying on reporters
The article discusses the legal challenge brought against the German federal intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), by a group of international journalists. These journalists, supported by the German journalists' union and organizations like Reporters Without Borders, are concerned about the BND's surveillance practices, particularly the warrantless surveillance of foreigners, which could compromise the privacy of journalists and their sources. The BND has been known to spy on media organizations and has expanded its legal framework for surveillance over the years. The case, which highlights the tension between national security and press freedom, was heard by the German constitutional court, with a verdict expected in April. The article also references past incidents of surveillance, including those revealed by Edward Snowden in 2013.
A national task force exploring how data from mobile phones could limit the spread of Covid-19 has sparked a debate over privacy and data protection
The Italian government's initiative to use mobile phone data to combat Covid-19 has raised concerns over privacy and data protection. A task force of scientists and experts is evaluating technological solutions from an open call that received around 800 proposals. Facebook's Data for Good team is collaborating with the University of Pavia to analyze aggregated location data. However, there are worries about the lack of privacy safeguards and data management provisions. Some argue that privacy concerns should be secondary to fighting the virus, while others stress the difficulty in truly anonymizing user data. The Ministry of Innovation has stated that any data used will be disposed of after the pandemic, and any selected technology projects will require government approval and possibly new legislation. The European Commission has urged member states to consider privacy rights in developing contact tracing solutions.
After a surge in far-right violence, a new law aims to hold digital platforms to account and bring extremists to justice
Germany is facing a rise in far-right violence and anti-Semitism, prompting the government to propose a new law that would hold digital platforms accountable for hate speech. The bill, approved by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet, would require social networks like Facebook and Twitter to report criminal posts to the police. The law aims to combat various forms of hate speech, including terrorist activity and child pornography, by making platforms flag such content. Critics argue that this could shift legal responsibilities onto tech companies. The law was proposed after a terror attack in Halle and the murder of a politician by a far-right extremist. Despite the focus on major platforms, there is concern that hate speech will simply move to less regulated spaces like Telegram and BitChute. The Amadeu-Antonio Foundation's report highlights how far-right influencers circumvent regulations, and experts question the effectiveness of de-platforming. Press freedom organizations have also expressed concerns about potential impacts on free speech.
There's still no plan to deal with migrants in the Mediterranean (The Nation, November 2019) Reporter/writer
Salvini’s War on NGOs Rescuing Migrants in the Mediterranean
The article discusses the impact of Matteo Salvini's security decree on immigration and NGO rescue missions in Italy. Salvini, leader of the far-right League party and former deputy prime minister, has enforced policies to fine and seize private vessels carrying migrants, leading to a significant decrease in NGO rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The law has been criticized by opposition parties and humanitarian organizations, especially after the Spanish NGO Open Arms was stranded at sea with rescued migrants. The political turmoil in Italy, including the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the potential reshuffling of the government, could affect the future of Salvini's decree. Humanitarian concerns are raised regarding the increased risk of migrant deaths at sea and the involvement of the Libyan Coast Guard, which is known for human rights violations.
After the storm: hardship endures for Puerto Ricans on US mainland (AFP) Roles: reporter, writer.
Villages cleared for coal mines as Germany falls back on climate goals
Germany's continued expansion of lignite mines is causing the demolition of villages and hindering the country's efforts to meet its climate goals. Despite reducing the number of coal-powered plants and employment in the coal industry, over 30% of Germany's electricity still comes from coal. The Coal Commission has yet to set a fixed date for phasing out coal, and the BUND environmental organization argues that a quick exit is necessary to control emissions. The trade union IG-BCE highlights the potential job losses and economic impact of a rapid coal phase-out. The conflict between the need for climate action and economic stability is evident in Morschenich, where the local community is divided over the mine expansion. Germany's current emissions levels are incompatible with the Paris Agreement's target to keep global warming well below 2°C.
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