JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

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.

Media outlets shrink, but resilience endures, particularly in exile. Afghan journalists defy Taliban repression, yet women encounter heightened challenges. RSF plays a vital role in providing support.

The US initiated a resettlement program for Afghan citizens, but the process has been delayed, leaving many women journalists in precarious conditions in Pakistan. The author calls for alternatives.

Amid the Taliban’s takeover, Zan Times emerged in August 2022, aiming to cover human rights violations with a focus on Afghan women. There, journalists face harassment, detention, and assault.

Zahra Nader, an Afghan journalist in Canada, champions women’s voices through Zan Times, an exile-based outlet. Despite Taliban restrictions, she empowers women to share their experiences.

Belarusian journalists launched Mostmedia in 2022. The outlet, seeking ad revenue and experimenting with content, focuses on Belarusians in Poland and fosters diaspora connections.

With her husband likely imprisoned in Belarus and facing a 15-year sentence herself, civil rights activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shares reflections on life in exile with her children in Lithuania.

The media landscape in Belarus shifted significantly post-2020 elections, with increased pressure on independent outlets. Despite challenges, some exiled platforms draw considerable readership.

The Belarusian outlet Tut.by, labeled ‘extremist’, faces trials. The team, now in exile, launches Zerkalo, aiming to continue reporting on Belarus, highlighting truth amid Lukashenko’s crackdown.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of democratic Belarus, states that Lukashenko’s assault on free speech continues, with exiled media facing relentless repression, leading to arrests and trials.

Facing uncertainty in Pakistan, the journalist emphasizes the duty to be a voice for the voiceless. Despite daily struggles, they work on issues like media challenges and a para-athlete’s story.

Exiled Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) defies raids and bans, exposing corruption and disinformation. Despite media crackdowns, BIC thrives in exile, counters propaganda, and reveals wrongdoing.