JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

After the Taliban took power, the journalist Hamed fled Afghanistan with his family – via a German government admission program. The government promised to take in 1,000 particularly vulnerable people, such as journalists, every month. In reality, only a fraction make it.

The journalism landscape in Afghanistan has undergone a significant and distressing transformation following the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021.

The Pakistani government plans to deport 1.7 million undocumented Afghans. The international community has called on Pakistan to suspend the deportation plan and provide assistance to refugees.

This report highlights the Taliban’s controlled media strategy, allowing room for resilience. Despite ongoing repression, media in exile is gaining strength, effectively countering disinformation.

Amid Taliban’s media control, journalists confront threats and censorship. Still, exiled and independent media grow stronger. Technical and financial support play a crucial role.

Two new solidarity centers have been launched by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), with the support of UNESCO.