Temporal Visa

KyleHanky says on Jan 29, 2006, 12:39:

RE: I'm not sure... I'm not trying to write and get it all published while I'm in Colombia. The only reason that I would get the journalist title added to my name is so that in one area where (as of right now) I have no fully established contacts, I can get more access to the people I would like to interview. It could be a liability, as some guerrilla groups would be more likely to kidnap a journalist than just a tourist. But other people would be more likely to be interviewed by a journalist with papers than a self-proclaimed journalist with just a passport. Every place I will be visiting I have solid connections except one, where I'm still trying to establish some more solid connections (I have yet to hear back from the people I do know there). All my writing will be published post-return to the US, not when I'm in Colombia, so internet is not much of a worry for me.

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KyleHanky says on Jan 29, 2006, 22:53:

For example... I'd be doing some research on the conflict mainly. For example, in Barranca, I will be visiting a unionist I met and interviewed when he was in US. I'll be interviewing him, members of other social/political organizations, Mayors, members of the military, etc. The goal is to get as many sides as I can, as many analyses as I can and as much confirmed and accurate information. When I stay in Bogota, that is a place where one can interview almost any leader of almost any organization. There are a select amount of journalists who work extensively in Colombia, and my goal for when I finish college is to join that group. Colombia is a country where solely getting information out of the country and back to the US, or to Britain, etc, can do a whole lot. So as this is my second trip, I'm hoping to just interview anyone who is willing to talk about their situation, wherever they maybe. Of course, it is difficult to get numbers and strong accurate information out of some interviews (paper is better for that), but to get into the minds of some of the people living in Colombia gives so much insight into how the conflict affects people, and that is as important as statistics, if not more.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jan 30, 2006, 06:31:

It's good if you have solid contacts there, because many people don't like to talk to stranger, even if you are a journalist, they are not allowed and they won't tell you that much. specially in small town like saravena and tame.

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KyleHanky says on Jan 30, 2006, 11:08:

No, I'm not crazy. I have spoken with many journalists who've covered the, correctly deemed, un-civil war. There is only one place that I'm going where I do not yet have solid contacts, and if I do not get those solid contacts, I won't be going. Other parts of the country, I have solid contacts, and as in the case of Putumayo, I'll be on a delegation. One needn't be crazy, but just smart, prepared and careful to cover Colombia. One key about safety is not staying in one city for too long, hence why most of my stops, including work done just outside of Bogota, will be no more than 5 days, at the most (I think right now 4 days is my longest stop). With regards to people talking; I have found that it can be difficult to talk to the general population, but there are plenty of qualified people (organizational leaders, elected reps, mayors, etc) who are willing to talk, albeit briefly, which is fine. Those who choose not to talk to me, or who are even suspect of me, that is their choice, and I'm not going to push them. I understand the consequences if someone were to say the wront thing and their right to privacy is just that: a right. Even if I went to Tame or Saravena and got no interviews, and only pictures, enough information is presented right there. Tame and Saravena are the only places where I may not go, so I won't be worried if I can't, or if I do and no one talks. But my experiences in Colombia last year showed that there are plenty of people who will do interviews and such, and solid contacts are key. Hence my goals. On the other hand, I do not think I'm crazy. I think we must take note that we do think Colombia is a great country with many problems, including the very uncivil war. My goal is not to interview members of the various armed actors, my goal is to avoid them, especially in rural areas. As this is second trip to the country, my safety is my biggest concern. It's my ass on the line, and my main protection is international law, and we all know how that is almost totally disregarded by all sides of the conflict. I'm looking forward to an informative and highly enjoyable trip, as not all of my time in Colombia will be doing work, but visiting the great people who I met last year. To me, this is a vacation, though the mindset of a journalist is much different than others. And I do appreciate the warnings. But no, I am not crazy, nor Crazy with a K. (Krazy) And lastly, props to Peter for making this site. Good call Peter.

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