Image via Canva.

Journalists and media workers are essential for a healthy, functioning society. When done right, journalism can hold those in power to account, amplify underrepresented stories, bolster democratic ideals, and spread crucial information to the public. However, as fascist leaders become emboldened and authoritarian regimes tighten their grip on power around the world, press freedom is increasingly under threat.

In some contexts, this means journalists are harassed or targeted (sometimes physically and lethally) or marginalized for their work. In others, the threat to their safety is so grave that they are forced to leave their country altogether for fear of arrest, violence, torture, or even death. Due to economic or social pressures, many of these journalists are unable to continue their work while living abroad. 

However, some individual media workers and outlets persist and manage to carve out a space as exiled media. 

These journalists occupy a precarious space. They cannot return to their homelands — often due to war or because they criticized those in power — however, they also face insecurity and instability in the countries where they have taken refuge. In addition to all the general challenges of moving to a new palace, exiled media workers can face financial insecurity, social pressures from those in their diaspora, language issues, and visa uncertainty, leading to feelings of anxiety and destabilization. There is also the added mental burden of being displaced and knowing they may never be able to return home to see their friends or family again. This kind of sudden extraction can cause prolonged trauma and leave lasting scars.

While the exact number of exiled media workers is unknown, hundreds are forced to leave their countries each year. Some countries, like Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and China, have a long history of exiling and harassing journalists, while it is a new development in other places. For instance, Hong Kong, once a beacon of free press in East Asia, has only started persecuting journalists since the passing of a new national security law (NSL) in 2020. In other countries, such as Sudan, Myanmar, and Venezuela, reporters have been driven out by civil war and conflict in the last few years. 

To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, Global Voices will be amplifying the stories of exiled media around the world. Find their stories below.