FLIP, Foundation for the Freedom of the Press (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa in Spanish). FLIP is a Non Government Organisation that systematically monitors threats against the freedom of the press in Colombia, develops activities that contribute to the protection of journalists and promotes the fundamental right to information.
FLIP arose in 1996 from the forums created by the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature; Gabriel Garcia Márquez, part of the Foundation for a New Spanish-American Journalism. In its first year, FLIP was dedicated to bringing together a small group of colleagues with executive positions within the press or organisations of recognised national prestige. These people were organised around the theme of freedom of the press and their aim was to establish the necessary philosophical bases and begin spreading the proposed solutions. Since mid 1998, aware of the necessity to amplify this forum and with the support and counsel of various organisations (Institute fo Society and the Press, IPYS, of Peru; The Association of Journalists for the Defence of Independent Journalism, of Argentina; Reporters Without Borders, RSF; Committee for the Protection of Journalists, CPJ, of New York), FLIP began to develop projects intended to strengthen union conscience and public opinion of freedom of expression.
In 1998 the RAP (Journalist Warning and Protection Network – in Spanish the Red de Alerta y Protección a Periodistas) was created. RAP is made up of active journalists in different regions of the country. The initial goal was to gather and investigate cases of violence against the freedom of the press. The RAP is currently made up of 16 journalists throughout the country who serve as as support network for the development of FLIP’s activities.
ORGANISATION
FLIP, Foundation for the Freedom of the Press (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa in Spanish). FLIP is a Non Government Organisation that systematically monitors threats against the freedom of the press in Colombia, develops activities that contribute to the protection of journalists and promotes the fundamental right to information.
CONTACT DETAILS
Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa
www.flip.org.co
Calle 40 # 22 – 17, Of. 302.
Bogotá, Colombia
(+571) 4009678/ 77 (office)
(+571) 310 481 2623 (mobile)
Carlos Cortés Castillo (Director)
director@flip.org.co
FOUNDATION
FLIP arose in 1996 from the forums created by the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature; Gabriel Garcia Márquez, part of the Foundation for a New Spanish-American Journalism.
MISSION
To promote the practice of freedom of the press in Colombia in order to guarantee the right to information for Colombian society. In order to do this, FLIP is dedicated to studying the freedom of the press in all regions of the country as well as developing activities that contribute to the protection of the life and well being of journalists in the country as well as their free and unlimited access to information.
VISION
FLIP believes that by denouncing violations of the freedom of the press publicly, mobilizing the press and civil society around attacks on the right to information, providing guarantees for the exercise of free journalism and guaranteeing convictions for those who violate the freedom of the press, they will be able to help create an environment which prevents information from being too costly in terms of social acceptance and legal action.
REVIEW
In its first year, FLIP was dedicated to bringing together a small group of colleagues with executive positions within the press or organisations of recognised national prestige. These people were organised around the theme of freedom of the press and their aim was to establish the necessary philosophical bases and begin spreading the proposed solutions. Since mid 1998, aware of the necessity to amplify this forum and with the support and counsel of various organisations (Institute fo Society and the Press, IPYS, of Peru; The Association of Journalists for the Defence of Independent Journalism, of Argentina; Reporters Without Borders, RSF; Committee for the Protection of Journalists, CPJ, of New York), FLIP began to develop projects intended to strengthen union conscience and public opinion of freedom of expression.
In 1998 the RAP (Journalist Warning and Protection Network – in Spanish the Red de Alerta y Protección a Periodistas) was created. RAP is made up of active journalists in different regions of the country. The initial goal was to gather and investigate cases of violence against the freedom of the press.
TEAM
Director: Carlos Cortés Castillo
Coordinators of protection, prevention and investigation based in Bogotá
The RAP (Journalist Warning and Protection Network – in Spanish the Red de Alerta y Protección a Periodistas) has 16 journalists throughout the country who act as support for the development of the prevention, prevention and investigation projects.
FLIP Newsletter 
