JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

Turkish journalist Cevheri Güven, living in Germany, continues to face constant threats to his life despite seeking asylum. Under 24/7 police protection, he must inform authorities whenever he leaves home. He also wears a security bracelet, designed to look like a watch, that allows him to send an alert if he faces danger.

Since 2018, the Nicaraguan government has shut down or confiscated over 60 media outlets, criminalised independent reporting and accused journalists of conspiracy or “spreading false information.” RSF met with exiled journalists in Costa Rica and calls on the international community to urgently strengthen support for exiled outlets and the journalists behind them.

Since Sudan’s civil war began in April 2023, over 400 journalists have fled, and at least ten exile media outlets have emerged, mainly in Egypt, to report on the overlooked crisis. These outlets offer crucial coverage of abuses against civilians, while Reporters Without Borders (RSF) denounces the harassment they face in host countries.

At the 18th Ibero-American Colloquium on Digital Journalism, speakers highlighted how Nicaraguan journalists have endured nearly a decade of repression under President Daniel Ortega. In her coverage of the event, Silvia Higuera captures their ongoing struggle to report the truth.

Jon Allsop reports on the struggles of exiled Myanmar journalists, who, after the military junta’s crackdown, continue to report from abroad despite dwindling support. He details how recent US funding cuts have further strained these journalists and their outlets, making independent reporting even harder.

Alesya Sokolova on how the relatively low popularity of independent media may be influenced not only by censorship but also by the choice of topics and the tone of content. While censorship remains the biggest obstacle, audience fatigue with negativity and a narrow thematic focus may also push even opposition-minded readers away.

This paper by Diana Shahbazyan aims to provide a comprehensive needs analysis of exiled journalists from Belarus and Russia. The findings provide an understanding of the key issues affecting exiled journalists and media organizations, and outline both their immediate needs and primary action points.

Cuts in funding from the US could have dramatic consequences for hundreds of Russian journalists in exile. It could also lead to far less independent and fact-based journalism about Russia and the war in Ukraine, argues Georgii Chentemirov, former head of the Union of Journalists in Karelia, in this podcast.

At a conference last week in Austin, Texas, exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Rubin told the audience how, in hindsight, there was not enough resistance when press rights began going away in his home country. “We did not resist for the small things,” Rubin said.

This study investigates the experiences of 103 Russian journalists who left their country after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It examines their professional environment, values, and roles as they continue their work abroad, focusing on maintaining journalistic integrity while navigating new political and cultural challenges, and the intersection of journalism and activism.

Matthew Leake speaks with two Syrian journalists about the country’s transition, exploring press freedom, funding challenges, the influence of news figures, and the media’s role during this pivotal time. Their insights shed light on the evolving landscape of journalism in Syria and the obstacles they face in this critical period.

Benjamin Quénelle dives into the world of Russian media in exile, where over 1,500 journalists are continuing their fight for press freedom and anti-Kremlin resistance. Despite facing immense challenges, these media outlets remain a vital source of independent information, even as global political shifts threaten their work.

In this article, Veronica Snoj discusses the challenges Russian media face three years into the war, including financial sustainability, self-censorship, and news fatigue. Many independent outlets rely on unstable foreign grants, while others struggle with censorship laws. Audiences are growing weary, leading some outlets to shift focus toward lifestyle content to stay relevant.

This article discusses how Pakistani journalists exiled due to threats now influence the media landscape from abroad, leveraging digital platforms like YouTube to provide alternative perspectives and analysis. This “diaspora effect” offers more in-depth coverage of events like the Balochistan train hijacking, contrasting with the sanitized domestic media.

This article by The Economist highlights Putin’s efforts to suppress independent media while fighting in Ukraine, but despite heavy censorship, Russian journalists in exile continue to challenge his narrative. Platforms like YouTube and Telegram remain key tools for spreading anti-war content within Russia.

This study explores the role of exiled Egyptian journalists in Türkiye, emphasizing their attempts to establish legitimacy and a professional identity that sets them apart from mainstream media. This analysis highlights the complexities of exiled journalism as it seeks to balance professional aspirations with the realities of political affiliations and conflicts.

How are exiled and hybrid outlets building resilient digitally-enabled outlets? How can these networks be more active in shaping the norms and policies that will shape the digital environment they increasingly depend upon? This lightening-talk panel presents results from CIMA research and a side-line discussion hosted at the ARIJ forum.

In this article, fifteen editors from around the world, including Ukraine and El Salvador, discuss the impact of cuts in USAID and other funding programs on their newsrooms. They share their experiences and strategies for fighting back, highlighting the challenges and the critical need for support to maintain independent journalism.