JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile

Online abuse stifles freedom of expression, undermines equity and inclusion, and threatens livelihoods. In the United States and around the world, it has become a major occupational hazard, affecting everyone from scientists and academics to election officials and journalists.

The proportion of people avoiding news content is alarmingly high. That has implications for news organizations seeking to grow, engage, and inform audiences. That, in turn, limits the ability of those titles to hold power to account.

The newly published “Press Freedom in Europe: Time to turn the Tide” report highlights the persistent use of spyware technology to surveil media actors, jeopardising both media freedom and the digital security of journalists.

More than 20 percent of the world’s national governments have reached beyond their borders since 2014 to forcibly silence exiled political activists, journalists, former regime insiders, and members of ethnic or religious minorities.

In 2024, AI’s disruption intensifies globally. As content creation and distribution undergo transformation while more than 40 critical elections are due in 2024 and wars continue to rage in Europe and the Middle East, journalists must reassess their role.

The CPJ’s 2023 prison census highlights China, Myanmar, Belarus, Russia, Vietnam, Iran and Israel as leading jailers, with 320 journalists globally. This report exposes harsh realities, emphasizing the urgent need for global attention to protect press freedom.

Highlighting potential hazards, the Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ) sheds light on the obstacles faced by independent media outlets and workers exiled by non-democratic regimes.

The Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED) reports an alarming climate for press freedom in Nicaragua. The report reveals an increase in persecution, exile, and banishment.

Emergency visa mechanisms in six countries: Restrictive policies hinder international protection, leaving endangered journalists often trapped in the very countries where they face persecution.

The academic project on media in exile aims to systematically collect and organize data to highlight their challenges, needs, and crucial role in defending liberal democracy globally.

A report by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation examines the demographic composition of Russian emigrants, their professional background, the countries they have chosen to move to and the political activities they pursue abroad.

A comprehensive overview of the Russian media landscape and how it has changed since the start of the Russian war of aggression on the whole of Ukraine – in ten questions and answers.

Exploring the media industry’s response to the cost-of-living crisis, the war in Europe, and climate instability, the report emphasizes the vital role of accurate journalism in overcoming challenges.

Diving into the transformation and resilience of Ukrainian journalism, the study by the Media Development Foundation documents how newsrooms adapted to challenging crisis conditions.

Conducting an annual assessment of global freedom of information, GxR exposes a worldwide threat to freedom of expression, spotlighting the challenges encountered in safeguarding this right.

The current wave of Russian emigrants can play a crucial role in Russia’s political transition, necessitating Western support for sustainable change and utilizing civil society actors in exile.

This white paper provides recommendations based on research, emphasizing the need for strategic support, coordination by the international community, and a holistic approach to evolving dynamics.