Journalism in Exile

All knowledge on exiled journalism at one place.
Compilation of articles, reports, studies, academic research and toolkits on current global developments on media and journalism in exile.

Recommendations

Defining Media in Exile: Criteria, Challenges, and Responsibilities

  • JX Fund

In times of multiple crises, when people turn to conspiracy ideologies, “counter-publics” and “alternative facts” instead of dealing with the truth, the promotion of media professionals remains essential. Whether a medium can survive in exile depends in most cases not only on whether it keeps up good work outside the country, but also on whether it is worthy of support in the eyes of large funding institutions. But who determines when a medium is worthy of support? What criteria can be used to evaluate exiled media and how can comparability be established without gray areas getting lost in the process?

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Why Do Belarusian Journalists Risk Their Lives For The Truth?

  • The Journal
  • Sasha Romanova

41 Belarusian journalists remain behind bars since 2020, punished for covering protests against presidential election fraud that gave Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in power. Their prison sentences range from 3 to 15 years, simply for doing their jobs — reporting the news. Hundreds more have fled the country. Yet they continue their work. Why?

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Taliban Have Detained 300 Media Workers Since 2021

  • Amu TV
  • Habib Mohammadi

The Afghanistan Journalists in Exile in a statement on Sunday said that the Taliban have detained at least 300 journalists and media workers during their three years of rule in the country, describing the detainees as having endured “profound and indescribable violence” while in custody.

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Nicaragua’s Proposed Media Reform

  • Voice of America
  • Graham Keeley

Nicaragua is expected to rubber stamp a change to its constitution in January that alters presidential power and increases state control over media. If ratified, the change would mandate that the state has power to ensure media outlets and platforms are not “subject to foreign interests and do not spread false news.”

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Syrian Media After Assad

  • NiemanReports
  • Lina Chawaf

Lina Chawaf, founder of Radio Rozana, reflects on Syria’s uncertain future after Assad’s fall. While celebrating his ousting, she voices concerns about the new Islamist regime’s media stance. Her team continues reporting despite risks, navigating a volatile landscape for independent journalism.

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Exiled Journalism Worldwide

Bypassing Censorship to Reach Audiences in Iran

  • ijnet
  • Devin Windelspecht, Stratton Marsh

For nearly 20 years, Zamaneh Media has bridged the gap in one of the world’s most repressive information ecosystems: Iran. Operating from the Netherlands, the outlet delivers critical reporting on human rights, politics, and culture to audiences inside Iran, overcoming censorship, threats, and digital attacks.

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Activist and Blogger Lu Yuyu On Escaping China

  • The Guardian
  • Amy Hawkins

Chinese dissident Lu Yuyu’s perilous escape from China reveals the high stakes of documenting unrest under an authoritarian regime. Once jailed for exposing protests, Lu now rebuilds his life in Canada while navigating China’s growing digital censorship.

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Eleven Years in Exile: Behind the Scenes in Syria

  • BBC News
  • Lina Sinjab

Eleven years since she was forced to flee the country, BBC Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab returns to Syria to be one of the first journalists for a western news network broadcasting from Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime.

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“At its best, independent journalism seeks to hold power to account. When have people in positions of power last liked being held to account? Independent journalists and those in power are not natural friends. They are arguably not meant to be friends.”

Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

Guides & Toolkits

A Mental Health Guide for Journalists Facing Online Violence

  • International Women’s Media Foundation

Online violence is often only considered a digital safety issue, but the impact of online abuse on journalists’ mental health is significant and has serious consequences for them, their work, and for press freedom. This is particularly true for women and diverse journalists who are disproportionately targeted by online attacks.

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The Global Directory of Journalist Safety Trainers and Advisors

  • acos Alliance

The Global Directory of Journalist Safety Trainers & Advisors is a searchable database of security professionals with experience and expertise in journalist safety. It has been created to provide the ACOS Alliance community with direct access to safety trainers and advisors around the world, and to help them connect with those who meet specific geographic and thematic safety needs.

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Project Management in Investigative Journalism

  • Global Investigative Journalism Network
  • Coco Gubbels

Organizing collaborative projects comes with its own challenges. This comprehensive guide, organized into seven chapters, also includes tips and tools, extra reading material, templates, and other links for more information.

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Research & Studies

Sustaining Independent Journalism

  • Thomson Reuters Foundation
  • The Fix

A new report by Thomson Reuters Foundation and The Fix analyzes the needs and support provided to Belarusian and Russian independent media in exile across Czechia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The report highlights assesses how the needs and challenges, as well as the support provided, have evolved for these exiled media over time.

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The Mechanics of Media Policy Creation in Russia

  • Media & Journalism Research Center
  • Leonardo Ingannamorte

The Media & Journalism Research Center has published a study on Media Regulation, Government and Policy in Russia. It explains the core principles of media regulation in Russia and the various forms of censorship that the Russian political system has introduced and refined over the past decades, profiles several key influencers in the Russian media policy and provides context on the country’s media policy.

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Exiled Journalist Communities in Germany

  • Körber Stiftung

As global crises, authoritarianism, and threats to press freedom escalate, more journalists are forced to flee their home countries, making independent journalism one of the most dangerous professions today. The recently published study by Körber Stiftung sheds light on the growing scale and challenges of exiled journalism in Germany.

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Calls & Events

APWLD Media Fellowship

  • APWLD

The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) invites women media professionals, journalists, data and visual journalists across Asia and the Pacific region to participate in the APWLD Media Fellowship on Digitalisation and Feminist Digital Rights and Justice.

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GIJC25 Fellowship

  • GIJC

The Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2025 is offering fellowships to journalists from the Global South, and those from historically underrepresented groups to participate in this prestigious event.

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Reuters Institute Fellowship

  • Reuters Institute

If you are a journalist with more than five years’ experience working in newsrooms, you qualify to apply for a Reuters Institute scholarship. Applications are open for Journalist Fellowships beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.

 

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Country Focus: Afghanistan

Taliban Have Detained 300 Media Workers Since 2021

  • Amu TV
  • Habib Mohammadi

The Afghanistan Journalists in Exile in a statement on Sunday said that the Taliban have detained at least 300 journalists and media workers during their three years of rule in the country, describing the detainees as having endured “profound and indescribable violence” while in custody.

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Afghanistan: “Half the Population is Silenced”

  • France24
  • Marc Perelman

FRANCE 24 spoke to Saad Mohseni, co-founder and CEO of Moby, Afghanistan’s largest media group. His new book “Radio Free Afghanistan” chronicles the ups and downs of building a media conglomerate in the country.

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Afghanistan’s Media Landscape

  • Modern Diplomacy
  • Saima Afzal

Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, Afghanistan’s media landscape has undergone drastic changes, marked by severe restrictions on press freedom. Journalists face constant threats, censorship, and violence, especially when covering topics like women’s rights, human rights, and the actions of the Afghan government.

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Country Focus: Belarus

Why Do Belarusian Journalists Risk Their Lives For The Truth?

  • The Journal
  • Sasha Romanova

41 Belarusian journalists remain behind bars since 2020, punished for covering protests against presidential election fraud that gave Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in power. Their prison sentences range from 3 to 15 years, simply for doing their jobs — reporting the news. Hundreds more have fled the country. Yet they continue their work. Why?

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“We’re on the Verge of Setting Trends.”

  • Belarusian Association of Journalists
  • Ales Minov

The sports outlet «Tribuna» is actively expanding its network of apps and services – cutting-edge not just for Belarus, but for the entire region. Belarusian Association of Journalists spoke with Tribuna’s director, Maksim Berazinski, about how modern technologies are being integrated into their journalistic and editorial work.

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Chronicle of Repression Against Belarusian Journalism

  • Press Club Belarus

What has happened to the Belarusian media and journalists since the day of the presidential elections — from 9 August 2020 until today — is an unprecedented case of the eradication of independent journalism in a single country, in the centre of Europe, in the 21st century.

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Country Focus: Russia

How Sanctions Against Russia Impact Journalism

  • Columbia Journalism Review
  • Lauren Watson

Sanctions targeting Russian propaganda have inadvertently crippled independent journalism. Exiled reporters, battling Kremlin censorship, face funding blockades from Western tech and financial giants, threatening their vital work of delivering uncensored news to Russians.

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Holding Putin to Account from Exile

  • Global Investigative Journalism Network
  • Olivier Holmey

In this interview, investigative journalist Roman Anin, founder of IStories, discusses his work in exile, the risks faced by his team, and the challenges of reporting on corruption and the war in Ukraine. Despite threats, he remains committed to documenting crimes and holding powerful figures accountable.

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Russia: What It Takes To Tell The Truth

  • BIMEX

In March 2022, the State Duma introduced new laws penalizing the “discrediting” of the Russian Armed Forces, leading to hefty fines or imprisonment for violations. This crackdown has made independent journalism increasingly perilous in Russia, spurring a mass exodus of independent media professionals. This publication aims to illuminate the realities faced by Russian independent media workers in exile.

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