Journalism is under siege worldwide, and the rising tide of media organizations operating in exile is a glaring indictment of our global failure to protect press freedom. Every year, more journalists are forced to flee their home countries, victims of increasingly authoritarian regimes that see independent reporting as a threat to their power. Entire media sectors now function from outside the borders of the nations they aim to serve, a sobering testament to the erosion of democratic norms and freedoms.
Autocrats have long weaponized exile as a means to suppress journalism. Threatened with lawsuits, violence, and harassment, many journalists have no choice but to leave their homes, their audiences, and often their families behind. But escaping a repressive regime is just the beginning of their ordeal. Exiled journalists face immense obstacles: disconnection from their newsrooms, a lack of funding, and limited access to protections or credible sources. These challenges are compounded by the psychological toll of living in limbo, often under constant threat of transnational repression.
The crises in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sudan are vivid examples of how conflict and upheaval uproot not just lives, but entire ecosystems of accountability. Journalists in these countries have been forced into precarious, unstable situations both literally and figuratively, yet they persist—a testament to their resilience and their commitment to truth. If the global community truly values democracy, supporting these journalists is not optional; it is a moral and practical imperative.
Journalism in Exile: A Human Rights Issue
The issue of exiled journalists goes beyond individual stories of courage. It strikes at the heart of human rights. Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, has rightly emphasized that journalists are in exile because their most basic human rights—particularly the right to freedom of expression—are being systematically denied. These are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of broader failures to uphold international norms and hold oppressive regimes accountable.
Take the findings from Internews’ “Flight and Fight” report, which outlines the stark reality of media in exile. The report categorizes exiled journalists into three groups: fully exiled media organizations, hybrid models with staff operating both inside and outside their home countries, and those preparing to leave as threats intensify. Each group faces unique challenges, but the thread uniting them is a shared struggle to survive and continue their work in the face of adversity.
One particularly telling statistic is that 76% of exiled outlets operate in a hybrid model, with editors abroad coordinating with reporters both inside and outside their home countries. This model offers some flexibility but also exposes journalists to heightened risks. Meanwhile, almost all these outlets rely on philanthropic funding or operate without any revenue at all. This financial fragility makes their work—already dangerous and difficult—even harder to sustain.
The Price of Exile
The practical barriers exiled journalists face are staggering. Registration hurdles in host countries often prevent these outlets from being recognized as legitimate media organizations, forcing them to register as NGOs instead. Without proper recognition, accessing bank accounts, securing donor funding, and building institutional credibility becomes a bureaucratic nightmare. Worse, journalists who manage to establish themselves in exile remain targets of transnational repression. Oppressive governments don’t stop at borders; they harass and intimidate exiled journalists online and offline, using smear campaigns, legal threats, and even physical violence.
This is why exiled journalists need more than just rhetorical support. They need systematic, transparent, and accessible legal frameworks to facilitate temporary relocation and long-term safety. While countries like Latvia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Canada have introduced emergency visas for journalists, these measures remain piecemeal and insufficient. We need a global commitment to protecting these vital voices—and we need it now.
Why It Matters
The stakes could not be higher. Exiled journalists are often the only remaining lifeline for communities trapped under authoritarian rule. In countries like Syria, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, they play a crucial role in enabling people to share their stories with the world. These stories form the backbone of a shared national narrative, an essential building block for any society seeking to rebuild after conflict or crisis. Without these journalists, entire populations risk being silenced, their struggles hidden from global view.
It’s not just about their countries of origin, either. Exiled journalists bring an invaluable perspective to host nations, enriching their media landscapes and reminding them of the fragility of freedoms often taken for granted. Host country media outlets have a moral obligation to extend solidarity by sharing networks, offering workspaces, and providing access to equipment. These simple acts of support can make an enormous difference in helping exiled journalists adapt and continue their vital work.
Innovation in Adversity
It is worth noting that journalists forced into exile are often the sector’s greatest innovators. Their resilience and determination enable them to find new ways to reach audiences, master new skills, and persevere despite extraordinary challenges. Many have transitioned from traditional media to digital platforms, becoming podcasters, social media influencers, or independent content creators. Supporting this transition requires not just funding but also training, digital safety tools, and professional networks tailored to their needs.
The media development sector and its funders must step up. Emergency grants, equipment aid, and training opportunities are essential, but so is emotional and psychological support. Exiled journalists often work under immense pressure, grappling with the trauma of displacement while continuing to report on crises back home. Providing them with practical and emotional resilience tools is not just compassionate; it’s necessary for the sustainability of their work.
A Call to Action
Supporting exiled journalists is not charity; it is an investment in democracy, accountability, and human rights. When we fail to protect these brave individuals, we fail to protect the principles they stand for. Autocrats may succeed in driving journalists out, but they cannot extinguish their voices unless we let them.
The global community must do better. Governments must prioritize the creation of robust legal pathways for at-risk journalists. Media organizations must extend solidarity and resources. And citizens must advocate for these measures, recognizing that the struggle for press freedom abroad is intimately tied to the health of democracy everywhere.
Exiled journalists remind us that even in the darkest of times, there are those who refuse to be silenced. It is our collective duty to ensure they are heard.