“Goa is the best place for a young girl to grow up. Here, women are so empowered; I have a sense of confidence because I grew up in Goa,” stated Rochelle Pinto, head of editorial content at Vogue India, during Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias’s centenary lecture ‘Women in Leadership: How to Build a Career in Media’.
Pinto, who was in conversation with Goan fashion designer Simran Dhond, added that in Goa women are not treated as second-class citizens, and having a multicultural environment also adds to one’s advantage. “It never occurred to me that I had to ask permission to take up space. Also in Goa, we have multiculturalism. There is a sense of equality and diversity, and we celebrate it. It is a world that almost looks like a fairy tale now. I think we need to all fight to protect that,” suggested Pinto, who started her career in media as a child radio jockey at the age of 11 at All India Radio, Goa.
Pinto maintained that, despite now being part of fashion media, she did not grow up in a fashion-conscious world. She explained that, in a way, it is a blessing for her. “There is a deep sense of rootedness because of being an outsider. As I grew up in a multi-cultural environment, there is a sense of curiosity, and I do not have a myopic view,” said Pinto, who is now based in Mumbai and has over 15 years of experience across print and digital media. She has worked with brands such as Tweak India and the Condé Nast group.
Throughout her interaction, she emphasised how Goa and being Goan have shaped her media career. She elaborated that being Goan, she is able to see individuals for who they are and engage with them at a human level.
Pinto also advised youngsters that having talent is not enough, as in the media industry, what counts is having ethics, resilience, thick skin to take on criticism, and the ability to give 100 per cent. “Do whatever it takes to get the job done. You need to learn to do everything, as it gives you a sense of confidence and you know exactly what you are talking about. I am a doer and not a dweller,” stated Pinto.
She also busted the myth that women tend to fight for the same spot. She added that many times women help each other out, professionally and also personally.
During an interaction with the audience, Pinto stated that a good journalist is still a product of the old school, where you go out in the field and dig out stories. “Journalists are like vultures; others see a carcass, but we see a full meal there. If you have that mentality, you can find a story anywhere,” said Pinto, who has also taught at the Istituto Marangoni in Italy and St Paul’s Institute of Communication and Education in Mumbai.
While speaking about the invasion of AI in the media industry, Pinto pointed out that the fear of new technology is not new, as we experienced it right from the time of the invention of the printing press. She said, “Writers have to evolve their skillset. Maybe they may not be writing anymore as the medium will change. I am not worried but more fired up to hone my craft and new opportunities to express myself.”
