This month, Colombia’s Simon Bolivar prize for Journalist of the Year was awarded to Herbin Hoyos Medina. Hoyos is the creator of Las Voces del Secuestro, a radio programme that allows the families of hostages to record messages that are broadcast to their loved ones. Himself once the victim of a kidnapping, Hoyos was chided by a fellow hostage that journalists did little to help the plight of those in captivity. The radio show was borne out of this and has been running for 14 years (and inspired the name of this blog). Hoyos offers “freedom hugs” to those who have been freed, doling out more than 11,000 since he started the programme.
Hoyos also has been awarded the National Peace Prize. Bravo, Señor, bravo! I can think of no one more deserving of such accolades.
