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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 122 countries worldwide.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its regional organization, the Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Journalists (FEPALC), expressed their deep concern to Colombian authorities about the military posing as journalists from the television channel Telesur in order to liberate 14 hostages held by guerrilla group FARC, including Ingrid Betancourt.

The Colombian minister of Defense confirmed that the military decision to impersonate journalists had the approval of the government.

"FEPALC joins the condemnation expressed by the Federation of Colombian Journalists (FECOLPER) against the military disguising themselves as journalists" said Manuel Méndez, FEPALC President. "This action puts real reporters at far greater risks in the future".

IFJ and FEPALC believe that this action undermines the credibility of working journalists and increases the dangers faced by the professionals when attempting to report on armed groups.

The IFJ and FEPALC further believe that by increasing the dangers faced by journalist and war correspondents the action is a breach of International Humanitarian Law and its regulations adopted in the Colombian Penal Code, that oblige governments to protect journalists.