Al Jazeera Journalism Review

Outside image
The Supreme Court of Justice in Bogota, Colombia, finally appointed a prosecutor to the case against the killer of the writer's father some 20 years after he was murdered [Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters]

Investigating the assassination of my own father

As a journalist, reporting on the murder of my father meant answering questions about my own position as an objective observer

 

Every narrative starts from a point of view. There is a subject who observes - the journalist - who narrates what they saw and investigated. But what happens when the journalist is the victim of a heinous act, such as the murder of their father? Can they investigate and tell their own story and present it as journalism? Where are the boundaries of ethics established?

I was 10 years old when they killed my father. He was then a councilman in a municipality in Guajira, northern Colombia. He had publicly denounced the corruption of the mayor and, in 1997, as revenge, the mayor ordered his murder. 

A river of blood flowed in that violent region. Guerrilla groups and paramilitaries supported by the state were terrorising the population at that time. As those who denounced ended up dead, people opted for silence; self-imposed silence as a self-defence mechanism. But the murder of my father grew like a deep wound in me and marked my destiny: I wanted to be a journalist and get to the truth.

I had only the name of the killer: Juan Francisco Gomez, alias Kiko. I wanted to know why he had ordered the murder. I knew he was the mayor and that, with all his power, he would prevent justice from being done. He commanded a criminal group that committed murders and massacres in the region. The motive was always the same: to annihilate his opponents. Prosecutors and judges dared not touch him; legal proceedings floundered. The file for the murder of my father was archived months later. As they feared reporting, the relatives of the victims entrusted themselves to divine justice instead.

I grew up in an environment of violence and fear. I dreamed of knowing the whole truth and one day telling the story. Did my father deserve his fate? Why was he killed? Why did no one do anything to defend him? As a teenager, I wrote poems expressing my suffering: that's where my urge to write began. I decided that studying journalism would give me the tools to investigate deeply, no matter how much it hurt. 

The first few years were frustrating: my father’s killer had by then gained even more power and was more dangerous; he had already killed a hundred people and was the governor of La Guajira, a region bordering Venezuela which was plagued by violence, corruption and neglect. Indigenous children still die of hunger in that region.

Nearly 20 years after my father's murder, a prosecutor delegated to the Supreme Court of Justice in Bogotá was assigned to investigate the case and, for the first time, the killer was brought to trial. I was a practising journalist and, although plagued by persistent fear, I not only provided my own testimony about what I knew but also embarked on an investigation that led me to locate files, interview hitmen, consult with forensic doctors and, ultimately, delve into myself to mourn the impunity and unease that had forced me to put it off.

As journalists, we remain conditioned by our own prejudices - we all have them. But, at the same time, we have a duty to investigate against those same prejudices

 

During the trial, I wrote a couple of first-person chronicles. I was plagued with ethical doubts about whether I should do it and whether being a victim would render my account illegitimate. After two years of trial and one more year to render the verdict, the killer was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Then I embarked on writing a book in which I told not only my story but also, in a broader context, the story of other victims of the same killer.

The first ethical commitment that a journalist has is to themselves. Objectivity and impartiality in journalism are increasingly utopian ideals. Reporters are people who are always standing in one place, who have one perspective among many possible ones. Therefore, from the very start, there can only ever be partial objectivity. 

So, while many journalists or photographers may attend the same event - a natural disaster, for example - they will always come away with different versions of the same story. 

Choice of language is subjective. The focus, the perspective, and the choice of questions for interviewees are all decisions which will mark journalistic work. There is no standard methodology or limited checklist that applies generally to all reports. 

So, we cannot be entirely objective if, from the very moment we propose an investigation, we focus on certain aspects of the subject of that investigation. The journalist, with full freedom, decides on where to broadcast the opening shot, how to tell general aspects of the tragedy, and how to end the story.

Perhaps the journalist will never be completely objective when investigating and narrating, but they do have an unavoidable ethical commitment: to be transparent and honest with their audience. 

As journalists, we remain conditioned by our own prejudices - we all have them. But, at the same time, we have a duty to investigate against those same prejudices. We may identify with certain ideas, but those ideas should not be immovable. A journalist should always be open to discovering new interpretations, even those that might contradict their own. What is now called "militant journalism" is only a degradation of journalism: one should always show ideas in a general plane, alongside other ideas.

It's a cliché to say that there is no absolute truth about the facts. Journalistic truth may differ from procedural truth, for example. If a fact is not proven before the judges, it can still be evaluated through journalism, showing evidence, testimonies and documents that support it. 

And, as journalists, we must doubt everything, even the truth proven before judicial instances. That's what journalism is about: more than certainties and doubts. If there is something we don't know or there are information gaps, we must be honest with the reader. Declaring, from the first line, the position from which I speak, is honesty: warning the reader that what I will narrate next has shaken my life as a journalist and I have decided to go after the trail of the killer to unmask him.

Ethics are always the same, no matter who practises them. Being a victim and carrying pain does not give anyone the right to make baseless accusations. Being a victim and a journalist means investigating against one's own limitations, expanding the scope and seeing beyond what cannot be seen, even though anger and pain may debase one's judgement. 

A journalist has an ethical duty to show the different versions and facets of a “fact”. When reporting on the trial, I not only presented the testimonies that incriminated the killer, but also those that favoured him. Showing these contrasts is essential for the reader to draw their own conclusions. Being a victim did not give me a licence to invent or exaggerate for the sake of the story.

Being a journalist has certain advantages over judicial officials and judges. There are witnesses who would speak anonymously to a journalist, but would not do so in a court of law

 

Being ethical also means showing the grey areas of the story and of the victims themselves - not just the perpetrators. In the narratives, it is common to fall into the mistake of portraying victims as pure, flawless, without blemish - perhaps in an attempt to show the reader that they did not deserve their fate. 

But the journalist's obligation is also to show the cracks; in fact, showing them does not diminish their status as victims, but it makes their story more human - more authentic. This is what I did and what I recommend: showing where the story, the victims and the perpetrators falter is an ethical pact with the reader. As García Márquez said: "In journalism, ethics are inseparable from technique, like the buzz to the fly."

Being a journalist has certain advantages over judicial officials and judges. There are witnesses who would speak anonymously to a journalist, but would not do so in a court of law. This happened to me during the investigation process. The killer was found guilty, but there were key testimonies that prosecutors had not obtained and that I, as a journalist, was able to obtain and use in my own investigation. There may be details that are not important in the judicial process, but which, examined closely, are a goldmine for a journalist.

Describing the climate or narrating a scene in which the journalist was not present is subjective, but it is less so if they visited the place, had access to important details and spoke with the protagonists. Even if the story of my father's murder had been written in the third person, or if another journalist had written it, there is always a first person who searched, sifted through records and files and conducted interviews. Showing the reader the flaws in the investigation itself is ethical.

One of the most complicated moments during my investigation came when I decided to seek out one of the hitmen who, during the trial, had changed his initial version to favour the killer. I prepared myself psychologically to stand before him without losing my composure. I interviewed him for hours in prison. I have also spoken with other hitmen about atrocious events, and they have affected me just as much. It is a false dilemma to want to separate the journalist from their emotions.

I do not have a recipe for not feeling fear, anguish or pain when investigating one's own history. I also faced real danger. My investigation has drawn threats on my life - today I am still accompanied by bodyguards assigned by the State. But more than ever, I know that ethics run through journalism, even if one is a victim, even if the investigation involves us. Journalism and ethics must be inseparable.

 

More Articles

Are Podcasts the Future of African Broadcasting?

The surge of podcasts across Africa is a burgeoning trend, encompassing a wide array of themes and subjects, and swiftly expanding across various nations.

Derick Matsengarwodzi
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 11 Jul, 2024
Video Volunteers: How India’s Marginalised Groups Tell Their Own Stories

Video creators like Rohini Pawar and Shabnam Begum have transcended societal challenges by producing influential videos with Video Volunteers, highlighting social issues within marginalized communities. Their work exemplifies the transformative power of storytelling in fostering grassroots change and empowerment across India.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 3 Jul, 2024
Climate Journalism in Vietnam's Censored Landscape

In Vietnam, climate journalists face challenges due to censorship and restrictions on press freedom, making it difficult to report environmental issues accurately. Despite these obstacles, there are still journalists working to cover climate stories creatively and effectively, highlighting the importance of climate journalism in addressing environmental concerns.

AJR Contributor Published on: 26 Jun, 2024
Challenges of Investigating Subculture Stories in Japan as a Foreign Correspondent

Japan's vibrant subcultures and feminist activists challenge the reductive narratives often portrayed in Western media. To understand this dynamic society authentically, journalists must approach their reporting with patience, commitment, and empathy, shedding preconceptions and engaging deeply with the nuances of Japanese culture.

Johann Fleuri
Johann Fleuri Published on: 24 Jun, 2024
Covering the War on Gaza: As a Journalist, Mother, and Displaced Person

What takes precedence: feeding a hungry child or providing professional coverage of a genocidal war? Journalist Marah Al Wadiya shares her story of balancing motherhood, displacement, psychological turmoil, and the relentless struggle to find safety in an unsafe region.

Marah Al Wadiya
Marah Al Wadiya Published on: 29 May, 2024
Fighting Misinformation and Disinformation to Foster Social Governance in Africa

Experts in Africa are using various digital media tools to raise awareness and combat the increasing usage of misinformation and disinformation to manipulate social governance.

Derick Matsengarwodzi
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 22 May, 2024
"I Am Still Alive!": The Resilient Voices of Gaza's Journalists

The Israeli occupation has escalated from targeting journalists to intimidating and killing their families. Hisham Zaqqout, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Gaza talks about his experience covering the war and the delicate balance between family obligations and professional duty.

Hisham Zakkout Published on: 15 May, 2024
Under Fire: The Perilous Reality for Journalists in Gaza's War Zone

Journalists lack safety equipment and legal protection, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in Gaza. While Israel denies responsibility for targeting journalists, the lack of international intervention leaves journalists in Gaza exposed to daily danger.

Linda Shalash
Linda Shalash Published on: 9 May, 2024
Elections and Misinformation – India Case Study

Realities are hidden behind memes and political satire in the battle for truth in the digital age. Explore how misinformation is influencing political decisions and impacting first-time voters, especially in India's 2024 elections, and how journalists fact-check and address fake news, revealing the true impact of misinformation and AI-generated content.

Safina
Safina Nabi Published on: 30 Apr, 2024
Amid Increasing Pressure, Journalists in India Practice More Self-Censorship

In a country where nearly 970 million people are participating in a crucial general election, the state of journalism in India is under scrutiny. Journalists face harassment, self-censorship, and attacks, especially under the current Modi-led government. Mainstream media also practices self-censorship to avoid repercussions. The future of journalism in India appears uncertain, but hope lies in the resilience of independent media outlets.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 25 Apr, 2024
The Privilege and Burden of Conflict Reporting in Nigeria: Navigating the Emotional Toll

The internal struggle and moral dilemmas faced by a conflict reporter, as they grapple with the overwhelming nature of the tragedies they witness and the sense of helplessness in the face of such immense suffering. It ultimately underscores the vital role of conflict journalism in preserving historical memory and giving a voice to the voiceless.

Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu
Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu Published on: 17 Apr, 2024
Journalism in chains in Cameroon

Investigative journalists in Cameroon sometimes use treacherous means to navigate the numerous challenges that hamper the practice of their profession: the absence of the Freedom of Information Act, the criminalisation of press offenses, and the scare of the overly-broad anti-terrorism law.

Nalova Akua
Nalova Akua Published on: 12 Apr, 2024
The Perils of Journalism and the Rise of Citizen Media in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia's media landscape is grim, with low rankings for internet and press freedom across the region. While citizen journalism has risen to fill the gaps, journalists - both professional and citizen - face significant risks due to government crackdowns and the collusion between tech companies and authorities to enable censorship and surveillance.

AJR Contributor Published on: 6 Apr, 2024
Silenced Voices: The Battle for Free Expression Amid India’s Farmer’s Protest

The Indian government's use of legal mechanisms to suppress dissenting voices and news reports raises questions about transparency and freedom of expression. The challenges faced by independent media in India indicate a broader narrative of controlling the narrative and stifling dissenting voices.

Suvrat Arora
Suvrat Arora Published on: 17 Mar, 2024
Targeting Truth: Assault on Female Journalists in Gaza

For female journalists in Palestine, celebrating international women's rights this year must take a backseat, as they continue facing the harsh realities of conflict. March 8th will carry little celebration for them, as they grapple with the severe risks of violence, mass displacement, and the vulnerability of abandonment amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Their focus remains on bearing witness to human suffering and sharing stories of resilience from the frontlines, despite the personal dangers involved in their work.

Fatima Bashir
Fatima Bashir Published on: 14 Mar, 2024
A Woman's Journey Reporting on Pakistan's Thrilling Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally

A Woman's Voice in the Desert: Navigating the Spotlight

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 8 Mar, 2024
Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Citizen Journalists in India's Fight for Media Inclusion

Grassroots journalists from marginalized communities in India, including Dalits and Muslims, are challenging mainstream media narratives and bringing attention to underreported issues through digital outlets like The Mooknayak.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 3 Mar, 2024
Why Journalists are Speaking out Against Western Media Bias in Reporting on Israel-Palestine

Over 1500 journalists from various US news organizations have signed an open letter criticizing the Western media's coverage of Israel's actions against Palestinians. They accuse newsrooms of dehumanizing rhetoric, bias, and the use of inflammatory language that reinforces stereotypes, lack of context, misinformation, biased language, and the focus on certain perspectives while diminishing others. They call for more accurate and critical coverage, the use of well-defined terms like "apartheid" and "ethnic cleansing," and the inclusion of Palestinian voices in reporting.

Belle de Jong journalist
Belle de Jong Published on: 26 Feb, 2024
Silenced Voices and Digital Resilience: The Case of Quds Network

Unrecognized journalists in conflict zones face serious risks to their safety and lack of support. The Quds Network, a Palestinian media outlet, has been targeted and censored, but they continue to report on the ground in Gaza. Recognition and support for independent journalists are crucial.

Yousef Abu Watfe يوسف أبو وطفة
Yousef Abu Watfeh Published on: 21 Feb, 2024
Artificial Intelligence's Potentials and Challenges in the African Media Landscape

How has the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence impacted newsroom operations, job security and regulation in the African media landscape? And how are journalists in Africa adapting to these changes?

Derick Matsengarwodzi
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 18 Feb, 2024
Media Blackout on Imran Khan and PTI: Analysing Pakistan's Election Press Restrictions

Implications and response to media censorship and the deliberate absence of coverage for the popular former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the media during the 2024 elections in Pakistan.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 14 Feb, 2024
Digital Battlegrounds: The New Broadcasting Bill and Independent Journalism in India

New legislation in India threatens the freedom of independent journalism. The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 grants the government extensive power to regulate and censor content, potentially suppressing news critical of government policies.

Safina
Safina Nabi Published on: 11 Feb, 2024
Pegasus Spyware: A Grave Threat to Journalists in Southeast Asia

The widespread deployment of spyware such as Pegasus in Southeast Asia, used by governments to target opposition leaders, activists, and journalists, presents significant challenges in countering digital surveillance. This is due to its clandestine operations and the political intricacies involved. The situation underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and heightened public awareness to address these human rights infringements.

AJR Contributor Published on: 5 Feb, 2024
Media Monopoly in Brazil: How Dominant Media Houses Control the Narrative and Stifle Criticism of Israel

An in-depth analysis exploring the concentration of media ownership in Brazil by large companies, and how this shapes public and political narratives, particularly by suppressing criticism of Israel.

Al Jazeera Logo
Rita Freire & Ahmad Al Zobi Published on: 1 Feb, 2024