JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

Clare Cook and David Lush explore how exiled media managers keep organisations running through repeated forced relocations. Drawing on workshops and interviews with exiled media leaders, they map five stages of instability and apply mixed embeddedness theory to show how support for exiled media can be strengthened.

Media development actors and funders globally are grappling with how best to measure results. An updated version of the IMS impact assessment tool is out now. It is also translated into six different language. The tool help editorial teams measure the impact of media projects based on effective ways to define targets and track progress and results.

While Finland ranks among the world leaders in press freedom, it still offers too few measures to help journalists forced into exile continue their work. This is the central finding of “When You Arrive in Finland, You Step into a Dark Room”, a report backed by eight Finnish organisations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Finland.

It’s an understandable question. Across the sector, unrestricted funding feels harder to find than ever, especially after US aid cuts. Many organisations are juggling project grants, restricted contracts, and short-term opportunities while trying to cover the basic costs that keep operations running. This article explores new funding strategies and ongoing core support options.

The Kit is a collaborative, self-learning resource that makes investigative techniques and tools used by experienced investigators more accessible to people and communities who feel motivated to start their own investigations, collect and verify information, build evidence and create a better understanding of issues without losing sight of ethical or safety considerations.

Transnational repression is not a new phenomenon, but it is an increasingly serious global problem. This is due to the growing number of diaspora members, as a result of global crises and due to the increasingly aggressive behaviour of countries of origin. The Federal Ministry of the Interior thus published a following guidance for people affected by transnational repression.

You open a call on media development, democracy, or press freedom. It talks about resilience, sustainability, safety, and innovation. It may even mention business models, risk management, or audience trust. But it no longer speaks about journalism in the broad, idealistic terms it once did.

How can media organisations, especially those operating in exile, navigate complex employment laws and processes? How can they do so across multiple countries and unfamiliar legal jurisdictions?

TRF’s latest series of guides aim to answer the above questions. The guides below address the complexities of employment rights and of operating in exile.

The Global Nonprofits Guide aims to support nonprofit organizations to strengthen operations, financial access and relocation by providing an easily accessible and user-friendly platform on nonprofit laws. The support provided through the Guide is linked with potential pro bono support by lawyers as well as resource materials to help organizations gain deeper understanding of the legal aspects covered in the Guide.

This article examines the ideological dynamics of the initial phases of the Russo–Ukrainian war through a discourse analysis of two leading Russian media outlets in exile. With a point of departure in conflict transformation theory, the study focuses on mediated representations of the Self as a means of mitigating antagonistic conflict dynamics.

In 2025, Azerbaijani authorities imposed restrictions on international organizations and foreign media, suspending some UN-affiliated entities and revoking media accreditations. While framed as protecting national interests and sovereignty, observers argue these measures further undermine transparency and accountability.

This practical guide from LatAm Journalism Review outlines how independent media can prepare stronger applications for programs, grants and funds to support sustainability in Latin America. It highlights why applying helps clarify goals, organize teams and refine business strategies, and stresses diversifying income beyond grants for long‑term viability.

A new survey by the Belarusian Association of Journalists finds that media workers released from prosecution face long‑term challenges even after gaining freedom. Beyond basic needs like housing, medical care and legal paperwork, many seek professional reintegration – from freelance work to training – as they rebuild careers amid exile and uncertainty.

A new GFMD report maps 326 media assistance and journalism support programmes across Sub‑Saharan Africa, revealing uneven funding flows, gaps in journalist safety and digital rights support, and heavy focus on short‑term grants. Despite expanding commercial media markets, donor support remains marginal and misaligned with structural challenges facing independent media.

This The Economist briefing shows how democratic governments are increasingly adopting autocratic‑style tactics to restrict journalism without overt censorship – from legal and economic pressures to demonizing critical media. It highlights a troubling global decline in press freedom as democracies erode protections that once safeguarded independent reporting.

OVD‑Info’s 2025 overview documents political repression across Russia, including arrests, censorship, and restrictions targeting journalists, activists, and independent voices. While most incidents occur inside the country, the report illustrates how sustained pressure, surveillance, and legal crackdowns are forcing many media practitioners into exile, highlighting the growing risks for free reporting.

A trilingual ebook maps the state of journalism across 11 Latin American countries, based on surveys with more than 4,000 reporters. It documents safety threats, economic precarity, political pressure and gender disparities, while showing journalists’ professional autonomy and resilience in defending democratic reporting amid hostile environments.

Exiled media outlets often face fundraising systems built for stable, in-country organizations. The Global Forum for Media Development outlines practical adjustments – from framing exile in proposals to budgeting for instability – to help sustain journalism across borders under challenging conditions.