Television news programmes in Colombia are to broadcast pictures of the country's political violence only in black and white.

Correspondent James Reynolds: TV news violence no longer shocks

The measure, to be adopted from the start of September by all TV channels, is designed to make Colombians less indifferent to the effects of the country's three-decade-long civil war.

It means that up to three-quarters of all stories on news bulletins will be in monochrome.

"It's a symbolic gesture, because the content and the news will be just as dramatic," said Felipe Zuleta, director of the Hora Zero evening news programme.

Bombed police station: The civil war has lasted decades

Every night, TV news bulletins in Colombia are dominated by images of the country's continuing violence, from fighting between the armed forces, guerrilla groups and paramilitary squads to attacks carried out against the civilian population.

The sight of dead bodies on the news has become a common sight and for many the violence no longer shocks.

Television reports regularly include close-ups in morgues and journalists interviewing the victims' relatives.

Grief over TV murder

The new measure follows the murder earlier this month of Jaime Garzon - one of the country's leading television satirists.

Jaime Garzon's murder shocked the country

It is thought that Mr Garzon was killed by gunmen who objected to his participation in efforts to end the country's guerrilla war.

Correspondent James Reynolds says his death caused widespread grief in Colombia - for many it showed that Colombians can still be shocked by the effects of their country's continuing violence.

Television executives hope that by transmitting images of the war in black and white they will make Colombians realise just how much of the country's life is dominated by violence.

'No more'

Advertisements explaining the change began airing this week.

They show slogan "No More" superimposed on black-and-white scenes of combat and fleeing refugees.

Officials say they hope the new policy will encourage less sensational reporting about Colombia's violence.