LocationsWords that Unite: Journalism as a Bridge for Peace in Peru and Bolivia
November 17, 2025
In Peru and Bolivia, journalism has become a force that unites, listens, and rebuilds trust. Two countries, two stories, one purpose: to make truth and dialogue the foundation of peace.
Latin America carries in its history voices that unite, that build trust, and that — from the Andes to the Amazon — turn words into the cornerstone of reconciliation. Journalists and communicators are building peace from every corner, combating disinformation, and strengthening democracy. These are initiatives supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which champions truth, dialogue, and peace.
From Peru – Ama Llulla
In times when information circulates instantly and across multiple platforms, distinguishing between what is real and what is false has become a constant challenge. Every message has the power to influence public opinion and decision-making. For this reason, truthfulness has become essential: misinformation divides, polarizes, and weakens credibility.
Facing this challenge, an initiative emerged in 2020 that has helped communities across Peru as a vehicle for truth and trust: Ama Llulla, which in Quechua means “you shall not lie.” It was born amid the pandemic and a tense electoral process, promoted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and coordinated by the media outlet Ojo Público.
The network brings together more than twenty local and digital media outlets from across the country that, through technological platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), verify information and translate it into four Indigenous languages of Peru: Quechua Collao, Quechua Chanka, Asháninka, and their variants.
Its purpose: to verify information, translate it into native languages, and strengthen citizen trust through shared truth.
During the 2021 elections, the country faced a wave of fragmented, contradictory, and misleading information.
“The idea was to counter misinformation during the elections. In the midst of a polarizing scenario, voters were left exposed to uncertainty,” recalls Gianella Tapullima, journalist at Ojo Público and coordinator of the network.
Hundreds of kilometers away, Ricardo Pérez Quispe, host of Radio Vilcanota in Cusco, experienced the same:
“There remained a gap between institutional data and the communities’ lived experience. In that context, truth not only informs — it also rebuilds trust, especially when told in native languages.”
In Loreto, Rodil Salas, journalist at Radio Señal Lagunas, faced another challenge: distance and lack of connectivity. “I am also a teacher, and I saw that people were not part of what was really happening. There was a need to spread accurate information that didn’t confuse people. Even if we don’t always have internet, we have responsibility. People trust the radio that reaches the most remote places.”
With UNDP’s support, Ama Llulla enabled these journalists to inform and build trust from their regions. The network combines traditional journalism, technology, and linguistic inclusion.
“Using technology ethically teaches us to work as a team and translate truth for all audiences,” says Gianella. “Each verified story prevents a false one; each translated audio opens a bridge of truth.”
Ricardo highlights the power of language: “When we share fact-checks in Quechua, people listen differently. They feel recognized and included. That builds trust.”
Rodil summarizes it simply: “In places where journalism is done with few resources, Ama Llulla gives us backing and legitimacy. Knowing we are not alone helps us stand firm in the face of pressure or censorship.”
Ama Llulla incorporates digital literacy and ethical use of artificial intelligence through Ojo Público’s Quispe Chequea platform. The verifications, adapted to different formats and languages, are disseminated on radio, websites, and social networks throughout the country.
“When a community trusts information, it can make better decisions. And where there is truth, there is less room for fear or manipulation,” says Ricardo.
Ama Llulla demonstrates that truth can also be woven — that communication, when ethical and empathetic, strengthens democracy.
Bolivia – Journalism for Peace
Further south, Bolivia also embraces journalism that unites. In a multicultural country where words hold power, hate speech and polarization have left deep marks in recent years. In this context, the UNDP promotes the initiative “Journalism for Peace – Conflict-Sensitive Reporting,” which encourages responsible use of information and shows that it is possible to tell stories of peace even amid conflict.
Based on the principles of Do No Harm and anticipatory governance, the project strengthens the capacities of journalists, communicators, and young people to practice ethical, responsible journalism oriented toward dialogue.
Through the training sessions “Peace Journalism: Tools and Practice,” journalists from radio, digital, and community media come together to strengthen their skills and share experiences from their territories. In doing so, they enhance their ability to report ethically and turn information into a tool for peace and reconciliation.
Rosa Mery Chino Loza, from Ayo Ayo, Aroma Province, south of La Paz, works as a radio reporter in Aymara and correspondent for the Erbol Network. She has spent more than ten years building bridges through her work.
“The spoken word carries deep power,” Rosa explains. “We must always look to the past to project the future with respect — like the paths of our ancestors, ñanq'anapachanakana.”
In Sucre, Gabriel Arciénega, a Social Communication student, shares the same conviction: “Communicating is not just informing — it’s understanding one another.”
His perspective represents a generation seeking spaces of legitimacy and cohesion, where listening with tolerance matters more than speaking louder.
Vania Sandoval Arenas, communicator and researcher, accompanied the co-creation of the Conflict-Sensitive Journalism Protocol, an exercise in active listening and knowledge exchange with journalists — some of them attacked or persecuted during electoral periods. “It is important to talk about peace journalism and to share recommendations on how to report differently, leaving behind ethnic or regional stereotypes that contribute to violence,” says Vania. “We work under the premise that being credible is more important than being viral.”
From these workshops, the Platform for Journalism for Peace and Conflict Sensitivity was born, bringing together journalists from across the country who promote messages of democratic coexistence from their regions. The #DoNoHarm campaign amplified this message, reminding everyone that every word has consequences and that communicating ethically helps prevent conflict.
With UNDP’s support, local media in different regions adopted more reflective and responsible practices. Coverage began to include diverse voices and intercultural perspectives, with narratives that invite understanding. The training enabled journalists to take an active role in mediation and dialogue, rebuilding bonds of trust.
Bolivia continues to consolidate journalism committed to peace and coexistence — a kind that transcends borders and inspires other countries in Latin America. This experience confirms that when communication is carried out with ethics and empathy, it opens paths toward reconciliation.
From Rosa’s microphone, Gabriel’s classroom, and Vania’s research, the same certainty echoes: when journalism builds bridges, democracy grows stronger.
Communicating with respect not only informs — it transforms.
In Peru and Bolivia, journalism has become a force that unites, listens, and rebuilds trust. Two countries, two stories, one purpose: to make truth and dialogue the foundation of peace.
