1 November 2006
INTERNATIONAL MISSION SUPPORTS LOCAL MEDIA
An international mission of press freedom and free expression organisations has urged the Colombian government to provide more protection for threatened journalists, curb media concentration, reform laws that restrict independent media, and improve working conditions for journalists.
The mission visited Colombia from 23 to 26 September 2006, where it met with local journalists, media support groups and authorities in the conflict-ridden region of Barranquilla, and participated in a two-day conference on media support strategies in Bogotá.
The conference was organised by the Antonio Nariño Project (Proyecto Antonio Nariño), a coalition of six local organisations, including the Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP)
The mission was coordinated by the Danish organisation International Media Support and included representatives of five IFEX members - ARTICLE 19, Institute for Press and Society (Instituto Prensa y Sociedad), the International Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters. A representative of the IFEX Clearing House also accompanied the mission.
Local journalists and media professionals whom the mission met identified key obstacles and a set of priorities for developing a strategy to support press freedom and free expression in the country. The priorities include the need for the government to reform laws that criminalise libel, and to speed up the approval process for community radio licences.
Others needs include labour laws to protect journalists from unfair employment practices. Currently, journalists - the majority of them low paid and lacking job security - do not have a national union to represent their interests. Journalists also told the mission representatives that the concentration of media ownership in Colombia was a major problem that needed to be addressed.
They also noted the widespread self-censorship that has taken hold in the journalism community, due to the numerous killings, death threats and harassment of journalists over the years. According to RSF and the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least six journalists have been forced to flee their homes this year due to death threats.
Read the mission's recommendations here: http://www.ifex.org/download/en/Colombia_Statement.doc
Visit these links:
- FLIP: http://www.flip.org.co/
- Proyecto Antonio Nariño: http://www.fnpi.org/pan/
- Colombia's Muzzled Press: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2005/DA_fall05/colombia/colombia_DA_fall_05.html
- CPJ to Honour Colombian Photographer: http://www.cpj.org/awards06/abad.html
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19433
- CJFE to Honour Colombia Journalist with Award: http://www.cjfe.org/awards06/about.html
- IMS: http://www.i-m-s.dk/
- IFJ Solidarity Centre in Colombia: http://www.ceso-fip.com/
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