Fighting impunity in Colombia

COLOMBIA and the Philippines share similar problems when it comes to journalism and impunity, says Carlos Cortez Castillo, executive director of the Foundation for the Freedom of the Press in Colombia.

Like the Philippines, there are certain zones in Colombia where it is difficult to practice journalism due to local mafia and armed groups. But one way that the South American country has tried to defend press freedom, shares Castillo, is the Manizales project where local and national media outlets collectively publish topics that might turn out to be very dangerous for individual journalists.

Castillo says it is difficult to measure the impact of such actions, but to a certain degree, many now think twice before killing a journalist.

Colombia has created a special unit to investigate the murders of journalists. A protection program for journalists has also been set up. Castillo stresses though that it is also important to improve the image that journalists have in society.

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