JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

Nadio Momand was a journalist and a law student in Afghanistan. But with the Taliban back in power, she has left her home and her dreams behind.

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.

Two prominent Chinese bloggers in exile said police were investigating their millions of followers on international social media platforms, in an escalation of Beijing’s attempts to clamp down on critical speech even outside of the country’s borders.

This publication features detailed narratives and interviews with 11 journalists who were forced to leave their homes in Turkey and Russia due to increasing pressures on free media.These stories not only highlight the personal struggles and resilience of these journalists but also delve into the broader implications of such mass displacement on journalism and freedom of speech.

A Turkish prosecutor has demanded up to 10 and a half years in prison for Hayko Bağdat, a Turkish-Armenian journalist based in Germany, on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Three years into Myanmar’s military rule, the country’s journalists are rebuilding newsrooms in exile and finding ways to keep sources safe, while accessing news about the conflict between the junta and the resistance movement.

Turkey ranks 165th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. Anyone who criticizes President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his government or people close to him gets into trouble.

Former Afghan journalist Hedayatullah Zyarmal, who now lives in Bruchhausen-Vilsen, talks about his desire to continue his media work and the hurdles he has to overcome.

From spying through diplomatic missions and pro-government diaspora organizations to denial of consular services and outright intimidation and illegal renditions, the Turkish government has been using a wide range of tactics against its critics overseas.

In Iran, the space for independent journalism has become increasingly constrained. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), only North Korea, China and Vietnam currently trail Iran for their measures of press freedom.

Independent media websites blocked by the authorities in Russia and Belarus say they are disadvantaged by the Google search engine. Journalists are calling for a new algorithm.

Tatyana Margolin, co-founder of STROIKA, emphasizes the urgent need for redefining ‘home’ and the necessity of crafting new concepts of belonging in an era marked by transnational repression and forced migration. A call to reimagine ‘home’ beyond geographical confines.

The work of exiled journalists, which is key to upholding democracy and defending human rights, is being impacted through continued efforts by authoritarian governments to silence them even across borders.

As American journalism focuses on reviving local news, building connected ecosystems, and targeting infusions of philanthropic support, one of the biggest growth areas for journalism in the coming year is one that none of us would wish for — the journalism of the displaced.

The exiled Nicaraguan media outlet Confidencial cofounded the Network of Exiled Media Organizations (NEMO). The members share best practices on how to produce journalism in circumstances where they are cut off from their sources and audience, and offer one another technical advice and moral support.

Afghanistan’s once thriving media sector has been facing myriad challenges under Taliban rule. Despite all challenges, however, Afghan journalists continue to produce factual, objective news.

Resisting the Taliban’s efforts to make women in Afghanistan invisible, a group of female journalists establishes an online magazine. An interview with Zahra Nader, founder of ZanTimes.

Independent Afghan newspaper Etilaatroz faces challenges after the Taliban’s return in 2021. Journalists emphasize the importance of international support for press freedom, legal aid, and training.