2011-06-21
BOGOTA - Colombia is a country with a complex political and social situation that affects the country to this day. At present, it is attempting to pursue a democratic transition and the end of armed conflict. One of the main issues of this transition is the need to strengthen the mass media that covers war and peace agendas. Specific training is needed, especially for journalists who carry out their work in dangerous settings, both outside and within the editorial offices.
Colombian Reporter (Reporteros de Colombia) - Responsible Coverage of Armed Conflict and Peace Efforts
Colombia is a country with a complex political and social situation that affects the country to this day. At present, it is attempting to pursue a democratic transition and the end of armed conflict. One of the main issues of this transition is the need to strengthen the mass media that covers war and peace agendas. Specific training is needed, especially for journalists who carry out their work in dangerous settings, both outside and within the editorial offices.
As a response to this need Colombian Reporters (Reporteros de Colombia) was created as a joint project led by three institutions: CINEP / Program for Peace (CINEP/ Programa por la Paz) and the Javeriana University (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana). All are well known institutions with enormous experience in the main fields covered by the project: the citizen’s right to information and free press in Colombia.
The origin of Colombian Reporters is the postgraduate diploma “Responsible Journalism in the Context of Armed Conflict”, which is aimed at professional journalists. Between 2001 and 2009, this specialized program has been offered in seven cities and their surroundings: Medellín, Cali, Barrancabermeja, Pasto, Valledupar, Bogota and Barranquilla. A group of more than 200 journalists have joined the program. In 2011, a new edition of the Diploma is planned for the frontier city of Cúcuta.
Two noteworthy results have come out of this initiative: firstly, the book “Press, Conflict and Region” (Prensa, conflicto y region), which is a compilation of the diploma participants’ learning processes and experiences, and secondly, the creation of a new phase of journalistic production: Colombian Reporters. The latter has linked the training process with publishing of the journalistic work produced by the alumni of the program. Colombian Reporters support them both in theoretical issues (from a journalistic and editing perspective) and practical issues (financing and publication).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
· To offer information about the armed conflict and the peace-building process from a journalistic point of view, with independent, exact, creative and balanced criteria.
· To increase theinformation supplied by local, regional and national media about peace and war through the publication of high quality work, in order to protect and promote citizens’ right to information.
· To contribute to the peace-building process in Colombia by promoting ethical and professional journalism.
NEW PHASE
Baring in mind that this project has evolved since its creation, from training to journalistic production, a new phase of Colombian Reporters is being implemented. The three new features included are:
· A training program, which includes updated knowledge on conflict, post-conflict and journalism and lastly, improvements in journalistic production.
· Close guidance and support from experts with regard to the process of journalistic production.
· Linking networks between the project and the local, regional and national media. Guaranteed coverage and support of the journalists’ work.
