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The rollback of press freedom programs, as well as the loss of some funding from European nations refocused on security closer to home, has left exiled media outlets from Myanmar, Belarus, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and other countries that lack a free press facing the same question: When decades-long donors pull out, what comes next?
The situation for independent media is not getting any easier, and the grant crisis of 2025 has shown just how vulnerable journalists are, especially those working in exile. But many newsrooms are developing innovative ideas to replace some of this lost funding and even developing news products aimed at different audiences in the diaspora or elsewhere.
In contexts of exile and censorship, several independent media outlets have turned to creating original products — leveraging their brand identity, analytical expertise, or connection to specific audiences.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently gave an interview to the Russian magazine Expert about the state of the country’s media following nearly three-and-a-half years of full-scale war. Peskov said that Russia is currently experiencing “a time of wartime censorship — unprecedented for our country.”
In today’s independent media ecosystem, membership programs — distinct from traditional “subscriptions” — and grassroots fundraising campaigns are becoming increasingly relevant, particularly for nonprofit outlets. The logic behind these models is simple but powerful: if you cultivate a loyal, engaged, and appreciative community, you can invite them to support your work financially.
For nearly 20 years, Zamaneh Media has bridged the gap in one of the world’s most repressive information ecosystems: Iran. Operating from the Netherlands, the outlet delivers critical reporting on human rights, politics, and culture to audiences inside Iran, overcoming censorship, threats, and digital attacks.
José J. Nieves is developing resources to help newsrooms in exile plan for a sustainable future. Originally from Cuba, Nieves has been running his independent media platform El Toque from exile since 2019.
Forced into exile, independent media outlet Frontier Myanmar has adapted to survive. By focusing on niche audiences and diversifying revenue streams with a membership model, data agency, and co-working space, the media outlet thrives despite challenges.
Finding revenue, repelling attacks and protecting sources: Media leaders from Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Belarus and El Salvador open up about leading organisations that report on their countries from afar.
As Vladimir Putin’s regime tightens its grip on free speech, the Russian Independent Media Archive (RIMA) is stepping up to preserve endangered journalism. With backing from PEN America and Bard College, RIMA safeguards independent media, ensuring critical journalism outlasts authoritarian attempts to erase it.
In Cuba’s economic crisis, the exiled independent news outlet El Toque has transformed into a vital resource for currency exchange information. With an AI-powered dashboard, it provides real-time rates that challenge government narratives, gaining popularity and user trust amid increasing censorship and political pressure.
The Business of Independent Myanmar Media Post-Coup: Experimenting with business models inside the country and in exile examines the ways in which independent media businesses have responded to, and been changed by, the 1 February 2021 military coup, and the business opportunities they have seized in its wake.
A new generation of Russian writers in exile is reviving Soviet-era tactics to outsmart Putin’s censorship. Through digital publishing, they’re documenting the war in Ukraine and government repression, reaching thousands back home with uncensored stories Russian authorities try to suppress.
Exiled journalists in Latin America face growing challenges, from economic instability to threats against their safety. Cuban journalist José Nieves is tackling this crisis with innovative strategies for media sustainability. His podcast “Hablando en Plata” offers insights into financial survival and resilience for independent media in hostile environments.
In Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, exiled reporters are not just surviving, they’re innovating. Despite crackdowns, they’re finding new ways to keep independent journalism alive, earning the 2024 IAPA Press Freedom Prize for their bold defiance of censorship.
The role of journalism in authoritarian and conflict-affected regions remains as crucial as it has ever been. While technological advances provide new opportunities for newsgathering, there are still plenty of pitfalls for those who are trying to convey the truth.
As Russian independent media continues to face severe censorship following the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Independent Media Archive (RIMA) is stepping in to preserve critical journalism for future generations. Co-founded by renowned journalist Masha Gessen and historian Ilia Venyavkin, RIMA aims to protect the work of over 55 independent media outlets from disappearing under the weight of state repression.
With beabee for media in exile, funded by MIZ Babelsberg, a team from German independent newsroom CORRECTIV and Russian podcast platform Radio Sakharov set out to develop a membership and community platform designed especially for the needs of media in exile. Using the existing open source platform beabee, the team implemented additional features to enhance security for users in countries like Russia and facilitate (anonymous) engagement.