Home > Protection

Protection line (RAP)

Through the Journalist Warning and Protection Network (RAP - Red de Alerta y Protección a Periodistas, in spanish), FLIP monitors the state of press freedom in Colombia and forewarns on violations of this fundamental right. FLIP investigates and documents any type of aggression against journalists or media, and calls upon and monitors actions of local and national authorities to protect journalists at risk. RAP works with a network of 30 correspondents around the country.

Since 2000 FLIP is part of the group of organizations that monitor the Journalists Protection Programme of the Ministry of the Interior and Justice. Amongst them FLIP is responsible for presenting, investigating and following up cases of threats against journalists, for the Comitee to determine the protection measures that will be provided by the government.

RAP also issues statements and alerts to denounce aggressions against the press. Likewise it prepares trimester, semester and annual reports on the state of press freedom in Colombia, based on the monitoring conducted.

Its research and documentation tasks also include regional visits. In order to asess the state of press freedom and the safety of journalists in a given province, FLIP journalist members’ travel to different localities of the country to meet with journalists, local authorities and social organizations.

FLIP also works with the Update and Registration System of Actions against the press (SARA - Sistema de Actualización y Registro de Acciones contra la prensa, in spanish), a database where press freedom violation indicators are recorded and documented.

Cooperation Agreements and Alliances

FLIP has signed cooperation agreements and alliances with international organizations (Federación Internacional de Periodistas, Instituto Prensa y Sociedad, IPYS; Reporteros Sin Fronteras – Sweden, RSF; Rory Peck Trust, and Comité para la Protección de Periodistas de Nueva York, CPJ, among others) to provide protection alternatives to journalists, towards formulating international denounces and to promote press freedom in Colombia.

FLIP also undertakes actions for the protection and emotional support of journalists in high risk areas. Journalists victims of an emotional traumatic experience (threats, attacks, etc.) receive free personalized therapeutic care.

> The Protection Programme of the Ministry of the Interior and Justice

> Journalist Warning and Protection Network (RAP)