"The rule of law is broken down by the corrupted influence of money," he added. "Everyone has to look out for themselves."

He also agreed that foreign journalists are much safer in Colombia than local ones, as he and journalists like him are not breaking new stories or doing the same type of investigative reporting as someone from the local press.

Moreover, Lawrence said foreign correspondents have to fight to get air time in the American news market.

Lawrence said he often finds himself trying to "sell" the Colombian news to the American public. Occasionally, he said, he has a 45-second segment on NPR or a story in newspapers, but "only if there is no other major news."

Both foreign correspondents and local journalists have an obligation and role in the peace process despite the dangers, Lawrence said. He said their obligation is to try and report the news as close to the truth as possible.

He said some people have the idea that journalists shouldn't report on information that could hurt the peace process, but his response is always that a journalist's responsibility is to inform people, "so people can make an informed choice, knowing what's going on."

The panelists also discussed how journalists react to the violence and threats they receive.

Cavelier described one reaction as what he termed "self-censorship."