Border journalism how do journalists face violence?

Abstract

The present article analyzes the changes in the journalistic practices of local journalists and press correspondents in the Ecuadorian northern border after the increase in violence in the zone starting with the explosion of the car bomb in San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas.

The theme gains importance starting from the moment when the journalists covering the zone change their role form observers of the conflict to targets of the violence, therefore affecting the journalistic practices of those who work in the Ecuadorian northern border.

The methodology was a series of in depth interviews with two journalists from local media, three correspondents of national newspapers and a colombian freelance journalist. The investigation was complemented with an ethnography of the daily work of journalist Manuel Gonzáles, in Esmeraldas province. From this investigation it was possible to conclude that the journalistic practices in the border have been severely affected. especially with regards to the relationship with the sources.