Project

Strengthening Democracy through Freedom of Expression and Peace Agenda for Journalists in Colombia (Colombia)

Grantee: Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa/Press Freedom Foundation

The project “Strengthening Democracy through Freedom of Expression and a Peace Agenda for Journalists in a post-conflict Colombia” was implemented by the Foundation for the Freedom of the Press (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP) from 1 December 2014 to 30 November 2016. The overall development goal of the project was to create an agenda where the right to freedom of expression can be fully realized and to build a strong media network that can advocate in a post-conflict Colombia without retaliation or restriction.

The project coincided with the culmination of the peace negotiations in Havana between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC), with the Final Peace Agreement ratified in November 2016.  The project had three outcomes: increased participation of Colombian journalists and civil society in an open, plural and democratic debate about the challenges and the role of media in a post-conflict peace time Colombia;increased awareness among the Government, FARC and civil society of the impact conflict has had on the media’s ability to exercise the freedom of expression; and increased understanding among journalists in conflict zones on thematic areas related to their work.  The project aimed at reaching the following two main groups of beneficiaries: journalists operating in conflict areas2 who would be actively engaged in the process of developing an Agenda for the Freedom of the Press and Peace; and other journalists with online access (through FLIP’s website) to documented resources/tools

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Lessons from Project

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When implementing projects with multiple activities combining logistical, analytical and presentational challenges, strong co-ordination and synchronization mechanisms can ensure effective delivery and flexibility.

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The project has been of strategic importance to the grantee. The grant enabled them to produce new work and raise new issues and priorities that have served as a catalyst – originally unintended – to develop into more of a think tank, through its new Centre of Studies, without losing its core mission of support and protection for journalists at risk or under threat. This has enhanced its standing with the Government of Colombia as a “consultant body”.

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Civil society organizations with particular specializations and strengths in a given field should not shy away from being a “consultant body” for government, if the opportunity arises, provided institutional independence is preserved.

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In the event of exceptional external circumstances – such as a peace agreement being delayed – production and/or dissemination of key outputs should be re-examined to ensure that timing is appropriate.

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Projects related to a peace process, or other sensitive volatile context-related projects, may require “thinking the unthinkable”. Be innovative but include relevant mitigation measures in planning from the earliest stage. To ensure innovative and creative thinking processes to identify risks, to challenge received wisdom, and apply flexibility to problem-solving.

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Communication and information are key tools in implementing peace agreements. The project demonstrated that civil society, through the media, can play an important role.

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