IFEX members are calling on Colombian authorities to investigate the murder of Zully Esther Codina, a radio host shot dead in the city of Santa Marta on 11 November while waiting for a bus near her home.

The Institute for Press and Society (Instituto Prensa y Sociedad, IPYS), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) expressed outrage over the killing.

Codina, 49, was shot four times in the head by unidentified gunmen and died instantly. For the last two years, she hosted "Entérese," a cultural and social affairs programme, and avoided reporting information that would have placed her at risk, notes IPYS.

Codina had 27 years of journalism experience and had reportedly never received threats attributed to her work. She also worked at the Julio Méndez Barreneche hospital in Santa Marta and was the leader of its union until last year, IPYS says.

IFJ says Codina is the eighth journalist killed in Colombia in 2003 and one of more than 100 killed in the past decade.

Last October, IFJ, the Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la libertad de prensa, FLIP) and the Antonio Nariño Project (Proyecto Antonio Nariño) organised a safety training seminar in Paipa, where Colombian journalists learned risk-prevention techniques, emergency first aid and pre-field planning.

The seminar also addressed the phenomenon of trauma and how it affects journalists covering conflicts, violence and natural disasters. International Media Support, the International News Safety Institute and Centurion Risk Assessment Services took part in the training.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Write a letter to the Colombian government:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/54962/
STAY INFORMED:

- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2086&Language=EN

- Training Seminar: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?index=1984&Language=EN

- IAPA: http://www.sipiapa.com/pressreleases/chronologicaldetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1037

- WAN: http://www.wan-press.org