An increasingly challenging context for the media

In recent years, many countries have seen their media environment deteriorate. Whether due to conflicts, political instability, or authoritarian regimes, hundreds of journalists have had to flee their countries to ensure their safety and continue their mission of informing. Crises such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or the war in Sudan have accelerated this trend.

Convinced of the importance of journalists in delivering reliable information, both for their fellow citizens and the international community, CFI, SINGA, RSF, and MDJ have joined forces to establish Voix en Exil. This project aims to provide exiled journalists with human, professional, and logistical support to help them to continue practicing their profession in a safe environment.

Three main goals for Voix en Exil

With an initial duration of three years, the Voix en Exil project is based on three pillars :

1. Welcoming and securing exiled journalists by offering them administrative, social, and cultural support.
2. Strengthening their journalistic skills and helping them produce independent and objective information.
3. Increasing the visibility of exiled journalists by giving them spaces to express themselves and create synergies with other professionals.

Each year, 18 journalists will be hosted through this program, for a total of 72 professionals over three years. Hosted in the Île-de-France region and integrated into a media incubator at La Gaîté Lyrique, they will be able to continue their fight for a free information while benefiting from a support network.

The 18 voices of exile : journalists from all corners of the world

Forced to leave their countries due to political pressures, conflicts, or repressions, these professionals bring with them unique perspectives, nurtured by courageous journeys :

• Abdoulaye Oumou Sow (Guinea)
  Specialized in environment and women’s rights, Abdoulaye worked as chief reporter at Guinée Matin. After facing threats due to his opposition to the military government, he left Guinea in 2022. In France, he plans to launch an independent media to continue defending these causes.
• Ahmed Abdeen (Egypt)
  A journalist for 18 years, Ahmed Abdeen has collaborated with various media in Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon. In 2020, as a political refugee in France, he created Aleyada, an online media specialized in health journalism, as well as Elkessa, which addresses social issues in the Middle East.
• Ahmed Bizhan Aryan (Afghanistan)
  With 15 years of experience, Ahmed Bizhan is a journalist and TV presenter. He had to flee Afghanistan in 2021 due to persistent threats related to his reporting. In France, he wishes to develop audiovisual projects to inform both the Afghan diaspora and the international community.
• Asal Abasian (Iran)
  A queer feminist and LGBTQIA+ activist, Asal Abasian has worked for many famous Iranian media and has been advocating for gender equality for 10 years. Exiled in 2021, Asal now continues her activity as a freelance journalist and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate in France.
• Farshad Fattahi (Afghanistan)
  A journalist specializing in television investigations, Farshad fled Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban in 2021. In France since 2023, she collaborates with Guiti News to produce content on Afghan women’s rights and the consequences of the taliban regime.
• Halima Karimi (Afghanistan)
  An investigative journalist specialized on human rights, Halima fled Afghanistan in 2022 after threats from the Taliban regime. She now works with the editorial team at Guiti News and other media to continue her fight for justice and human rights.
• Hanna Shpakava (Belarus)
  A journalist specializing in visual and audiovisual arts, Hanna had to leave Belarus due to political pressure. Now a producer for CNN and France 24, she also collaborates with Le Monde and Kometa magazine as an editor.
• Jean Samuel Mentor (Haïti)
  After death threats following an investigation into arms trafficking, Jean Samuel Mentor left Haiti in 2023. He won third place in the Bayeux-Calvados Award in the radio category for his report on violence against women in Haiti, and continues his work in France.
• Mohammad Mohammad (Syria)
  Mohammad fled Syria in 2014 and continued his journalism career in Turkey before arriving in France in 2022. He now works for Dijlah Net, an online media specializing in political and social news in Syria.
• Mohamed Maher Akl (Egypt)
  Convicted of terrorism by the Egyptian authorities in 2018, Mohamed Maher Akl is now a refugee in France. He continues to work for Al Jazeera Media Network and develops documentaries on the journeys of exiled journalists.
• Naama Al Alwani (Syria)
  A Syrian journalist, Naama fled Lebanon due to pressure from Hezbollah. Passionate about cinema and photography, she earned a degree in cinema in France and works on several documentary projects to raise awareness about conflicts in the Middle East.
• Noorwali Khpalwak (Afghanistan)
  Former chief of staff of the Afghan government and director of information for national television, Noorwali fled his country in 2021. Now in France, he is developing a podcast to give voice to Afghan perspectives and continues to support local media.
• Sayas Mursal (Afghanistan)
  A journalist and women’s rights activist, Sayas fled Afghanistan in 2021. She contributes anonymously to international media, including Courrier International, and produces shows for Afghan International Radio.
• Sharareh Mehboudi (Iran)
  With over 15 years of experience, Sharareh advocates for women’s education and fights against discrimination. In France since 2023, she is developing Iran Digital Nomad, a website aimed at raising awareness about the situation of Iranian women.
• Shadi Matar (Syria)
  A documentarian and war reporter, Shadi Matar fled Syria after covering the Syrian revolution for five years. In France, he has contributed to several documentaries and continues his work as a freelance journalist.
• Solafa Magdy (Egypt)
  A journalist and former political prisoner, Solafa was incarcerated for two years in Egypt for exposing corruption. Accused of terrorism, she continues her fight for freedom of information and journalist safety in exile.
• Walid Bourouis (Tunisia)
  A communications consultant for UNESCO and trainer at the Tunisian National Journalists Syndicate, Walid has collaborated with several media outlets since his arrival in France, where he continues to advocate for press freedom and exile stories.

A consortium for press freedom

The launch of the Voix en Exil project brought together many figures committed to defending press freedom, including :

• Thierry Vallat, President and CEO of CFI
• Benoît Hamon, CEO of SINGA Global
• Darline Cothière, Director of the Maison des Journalistes
• Antoine Bernard, Advocacy and Assistance Director of RSF
• Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens, Director of Cultural Diplomacy, MEAE
• Marie-Christine Saragosse, CEO of France Médias Monde

« We are very proud to launch today the Voix en Exil project to continue supporting exiled journalists and media in their projects. Our goal is above all to preserve freedom of expression by intensifying the fight against disinformation, which naturally involves ensuring the safety of those who contribute to it. Exiled journalists face many challenges, and it is necessary in this context to provide them with comprehensive support involving many areas of expertise. I salute the remarkable efficiency and complementarity of this consortium, which CFI is honored to lead. It reflects a concrete and substantial commitment in France to defending journalists and free media. » — Thierry Vallat, president and CEO of CFI.

A shared commitment for a fairer future

With Voix en Exil, we are taking another step toward a world where every journalist can freely practice their profession, free from threats and pressures. This project demonstrates our commitment to defending free and accessible information, building bridges between cultures, and promoting a fairer society.

To learn more about the Voix en Exil project and the involved partners, RDV here !