JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

With 29 journalists currently imprisoned, and 280 journalists and media organisations proclaimed “foreign agents”, Russia sits almost at the bottom of the Press Freedom Index. Even for those in exile, the danger remains.

Publications like The Insider are caught between state censorship and hostile platform dynamics.

They left Belarus to work in freedom as journalists. But three years after the disputed 2020 election independent Belarusian journalists abroad are struggling to survive financially.

Belarusian independent journalists have been through a lot since 2020. Many journalists have been forced into exile. A lot of media workers today are in need of mental health support. Belarusian Journalists share their experiences coping with trauma.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, there have been numerous scandals related to the surveillance of Russians abroad by Moscow’s intelligence services and alleged Russian spies working in foreign countries.

Exiled Russian journalists, countering Kremlin control abroad, face a lot of risks and funding challenges. Navigating exile, they strive to keep Russian journalism alive.

Exiled journalists face challenges, from societal backlash to adapting in a new country. Many experience symptoms beyond PTSD, such as social death, adaptability issues, and overwhelming stress.

Russian media outlets, NGOs, and activists in exile are innovating to maintain connections with audiences. Despite challenges, these initiatives adapt lessons from the pandemic to stay relevant.

Russian law hampers free expression, targets civic activism, and excludes individuals or entities engaging in civic activism or expressing opinions about Russia’s policies from various civic aspects.

Russian exiled media face challenges, from funding problems to maintaining audience connection. International donors provide stability, but the funding is often project-specific.