conflict & communication online, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2010
www.cco.regener-online.de
ISSN 1618-0747

 

 

 

Rousbeh Legatis
Conflict fields of journalistic praxis in Colombia

The chronic uncertainty for journalists and editors in carrying out their professional work in Colombia has many sources and has been serious for decades. Currently – besides indicators of extreme physical violence (such as daily attacks, abuse, kidnappings and murders) – problem areas are strongly marking journalistic work in Colombia that are often neglected in the international discussion, such as inadequate training offerings, unsatisfactory infrastructure in the workplace, precarious wage situations, lack of independence in relationship to editors and a poorly taught understanding of professional ethics. These structural problems produce qualitative deficiencies – especially in conflict reportage. But instead of stagnation, change is occurring. Colombian journalists are revising their self-image, at the same time developing a problem consciousness in their own work, and are actively trying to correct the deficiencies.

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On the author:
Rousbeh Legatis is a political scientist and independent journalist, among others for the Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS). Since earning a Masters degree at the Free University of Berlin, his work has focused on peace and conflict research. His current interest is in the role of the media in peace-building and media assistance, as well as in constructive conflict transformation in conflict countries and societies marked by the experience of violence.

Address: eMail: rousbeh.legatis@googlemail.com