Voices in Exile: a year of collective commitment to freedom of information

Funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and implemented by CFI, SINGA, Maison des journalistes (MDJ) and Reporters without Borders (RSF), Voix en exil supports journalists facing threats that are forcing them into exile because of the work they are doing.

The Voices in Exile programme, serving freedom of information

By supporting these journalists, Voices in Exile is helping to defend the freedom of the press and freedom of information. Thanks to this programme, journalists can freely carry out their work and disseminate verified information, free from any pressure.
Voices in Exile is a key tool in the fight against disinformation.

A year of support and training

In just one year, the programme has already supported 31 journalists from 13 different countries, including Afghanistan, Syria, Haiti, Russia, Iran and Togo.
More than thirty training courses have been given, allowing them to strengthen their technical skills in fact checking, artificial intelligence and mobile journalism. The workshops and meetings organised have also allowed them to gain a better understanding of the French media ecosystem, media financing and the freelance system.

One of the main aims of the programme has been to support freedom of information and combat disinformation, and more than 15 journalism grants have already been awarded to support journalists in producing individual, independent and sustainable journalism projects.

A committed network

Beyond providing direct support to journalists, Voices in Exile has helped build a strong, committed network bringing together institutions and associations around a common goal: to defend the freedom of the press and of those who keep it alive, despite being in exile.
Throughout the year, thanks to the project’s partners, the winners take part in conferences and events where their expertise greatly enriches public debate.
Since its launch in September 2024, there have been 35 public statements made and over thirty interviews given in the French media, such as Loopsider, RFI, Ouest-France, L’Humanité, Le Nouvel Obs, France 24, France Inter and Vanity Fair.

Making these journalists' voices heard is essential to help them integrate into the French journalistic landscape and to inform public debate.
The Voices in Exile journalists explained how they have found in this programme a space where their voices could be heard and a professional network that has allowed them to “break out of isolation” and “rediscover hope and solidarity”.

Towards sustainable socio-professional integration

This event was also an opportunity to highlight the limitations faced by journalists in exile in France.
A number of challenges remain in their socio-professional integration: administrative difficulties, precarious housing, limited access to employment and a lack of appropriate funding. These are all obstacles that hinder the sustainability of their work over the long term.

Voices in Exile shows, however, that structured, collective support is possible. This pilot project opens the door to new and necessary initiatives: streamlining of procedures, long-term funding and support for professional training.

After a year's implementation, the results are unequivocal: Voices in Exile helps to promote the expertise and the voices of journalists in exile in France within the French media scene.
This reinforces the continuation of this programme and the achievement of its objectives: to collectively recreate the conditions necessary for these professionals to continue to freely inform the public.