Colombia: Submissions now being accepted for investigative journalism award

"Paz, Conflicto y Región" ("Peace, Conflict and Regions") is the focus of this year's ¡Investiga! award for Colombian journalists. Submissions should look at social and political aspects of the Colombian conflict, such as the peace process, the country's so-called post-conflict environment (postconflicto), conflict resolution, how minorities are dealt with, or forced or internal migration. Journalists can submit their entries to the online portal ¡Investiga!. The deadline is September 30, 2014.

The media award honors journalistic work and initiatives that reflect outstanding investigative research and involve a creative, multimedia approach.

You need courage in Colombia if you want to speak out

¡Investiga! was initiated in 2012 by DW Akademie and the Universidad del Norte, which is located in the northern Colombian city, Barranquilla. This year the award is also being supported for the first time by the renowned journalism network, Consejo de Redacción (CdR). The network is an independent journalists association based in Bogotá. The awards ceremony will be held this November in Barranquilla.

"Investigative journalists who report on sensitive topics face a number of risks in Colombia," says Rodrigo Villarzú, head of DW Akademie’s Latin America division. “¡Investiga! recognizes the courage and commitment of journalists who continue to work this way despite the dangers.” A culture that supports strong journalism, he says, is fundamental to a sustainable peace process.

Villarzú will be sitting on the jury, as will Peter Burghardt, a Buenos Aires-based correspondent for the German daily, Süddeutsche Zeitung; the Colombian investigative reporter Olga Behar; and Jesús Arroyave, the head of Universidad del Norte’s Institute for Communication and Journalism.

The revival of investigative journalism

During the 1980s investigative reporting in Colombia was at a peak. It was a time when journalists got together to research and uncover corruption in the political and administrative arenas and in the business sector. The results, however, were not well received, and journalists came under enormous pressure. As organized crime grew and developed mafia-like structures, many journalists began to fear threats and attacks and stopped reporting critically.

The ones who suffer most are the rural population - like here in the Cauca region

But this is changing again, says Vera Möller-Holtkamp, DW Akademie's ¡Investiga! project manager. "Investigative journalism is currently on the upswing in Colombia thanks to data journalism, new ways to research and innovative online formats. ¡Investiga! is there to support this."

The Colombian journalism award was presented for the first time in 2012, with an aim to encourage local journalists in northern Colombia to do in-depth research and look closely at political and social issues. The competition is now open to journalists throughout the country.