Vista Network is a global collective of young journalists, filmmakers, photographers, and researchers reporting from the world’s overlooked frontiers. We work in conflict zones, fragile environments, and places where access is limited and stakes are high — producing independent, ground-truth journalism rooted in presence, depth, and ethical practice.

With members and collaborators across Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, we merge local insight with international coordination to uncover narratives often ignored or misunderstood. We operate as a cooperative ecosystem — sharing contacts, research, editorial guidance, field knowledge, and security expertise to strengthen each other's work and elevate emerging voices.

We are independent in our reporting, collective in our approach, on-site in our methodology, global in our perspective, and ethical in every decision we make. Our mission is to build a new generation of frontline storytellers — capable, informed, collaborative, and committed to bringing clarity from the world’s most complex places.

The Vista network began as Vista News during the five-month protest movement in Colombia in 2021. The initiative was started by Fritz Pinnow and Jorge Córdoba, then roommates, while reporting on the ground and witnessing many independent journalists working without proper protective equipment, safety training, or press accreditation.

As violence escalated, it became clear that emerging reporters needed support — not charity or institutional structures, but collective protection and coordination. Together with other young journalists, we pooled small resources to buy helmets, vests, and gas masks; shared hostile-environment knowledge; secured accreditation where possible; and coordinated safe movement and communication while covering the protests. We exchanged real-time information on medical stations, police movements, and safe routes, and stayed in touch with United Nations observers monitoring events to help ensure responsible reporting and safety awareness.

This was never an NGO — it was journalists looking out for each other while doing the work. What began as improvised mutual aid on the streets of Colombia grew into a lasting network grounded in solidarity, field experience, and the belief that independent journalism in high-risk environments is stronger — and safer — when we operate collectively.

That spirit remains the foundation of Vista Network today.

Birth of the collective

Jorge Córdoba (Left) and Fritz Pinnow (right), in their first reporting as Vista News, 24 April 2021, Medellín, Colombia.