What it takes to tell the truth

Challenges for russian independent media in exile

Editor’s note

Stories of Exile

What does it mean for a Russian independent journalist to be in exile?

Mission & Values

Why does one, despite being forced out of their homeland, keep staying in the profession?

Hard Times

Challenges for exiled Russian-speaking media workers

Mental Health

What is the mental health situation of journalists in exile?

Learning from the Crisis

Alliances, support systems, and community experience

Dear donors

Shifting towards sustainable support for Russian media in exile

Imprint

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Editor’s note

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF RUSSIA’S FULL-SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE, HUNDREDS OF RUSSIAN JOURNALISTS HAVE FLED DUE TO INCREASING REPRESSION

In March 2022, the State Duma introduced new laws penalizing the “discrediting” of the Russian Armed Forces, leading to hefty fines or imprisonment for violations. This crackdown has made independent journalism increasingly perilous in Russia, spurring a mass exodus of independent media professionals.

The Berlin-based Journalists in Need Network (jinn) supports exiled journalists, especially from Belarus and Russia. As Berlin emerges as a key hub for exiled journalists, our network aids media organizations in relocation and integration, offering professional and social support. Our Berlin Incubator for Media in Exile (BIMEX) program, launched in 2022, provides capacity building, consultations, and mentorship to relocating media organizations. Through our conversations with Russian independent media in exile, we’ve gained insights into the diverse experiences of exiled media workers, shaped by work ethics, mental health, discrimination, and (un)available support systems. As part of the BIMEX project, this publication aims to illuminate the realities faced by Russian independent media workers in exile.

We aim to give voice to those who left their home and continued (or started) broadcasting from abroad. They cover the war, expose war crimes, dismantle imperialist and racist continuities in Russian politics, and address social issues within the country. How do they navigate these disruptive personal and professional experiences? What challenges do they face, and what solutions do they propose? What drives their mission, their learnings, and their motivation?

The responses we received were diverse, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the independent Russian media scene in exile. It’s crucial for us to provide a platform for media projects that investigate and analyze Russian colonial policies and advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples in Russia. These voices are often silenced and marginalized, even by their colleagues, due to their outspoken criticism of racism and their uncompromising stance. It’s essential to recognize that the same patterns of racism and chauvinism used by Putin and the Russian regime to justify the armed invasion of Ukraine are also employed against indigenous people and other minorities within Russia. These issues are interconnected and demand attention.

For this publication, we interviewed ten journalists in exile and representatives from support organizations. Some interviews were initially conducted in Russian and later translated into English. For the safety of the journalists, their names have been anonymized. Produced as part of the BIMEX program and supported by the JX Fund, we hope this publication enhances understanding of the Russian exile media landscape, highlighting its significance and diversity. We are grateful to everyone who shared their insights and experiences with us.

Journalists in Need Network
May 2024

Stories of Exile

(CHAPTER 1)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A RUSSIAN INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST TO BE IN EXILE?

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When the war started, our editor-in-chief urged us to leave Russia and promised to meet us at the border. We could only hope that we would be allowed through because it was unclear how they treated “foreign agents” at the customs. […] On the way to the border between Russia and Latvia, I arranged with the driver that he would wait for my signal and return if they didn’t let me through. The chances were 50-50.

Investigative journalist at iStories

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Arriving

WHILE MANY ARE FAMILIAR WITH STORIES OF THOSE WHO SWIFTLY LEFT THE COUNTRY IN THE WAKE OF FEBRUARY 24TH, 2022, THE REALITY OF RUSSIAN JOURNALISTS IN EXILE IS FAR MORE NUANCED. WHEN TALKING ABOUT RUSSIAN INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS IN EXILE, THERE IS NOT JUST ONE STORY TO TELL; THERE ARE MORE THAN A THOUSAND.¹

The mass exodus of independent Russian media and journalists following the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine stands as one of the most significant in recent memory. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this exodus predates February 24th, 2022. Several Russian journalists had already been in exile, and some Russian independent media outlets had been operating from abroad since 2014. While the majority of the current Russian exile community departed after February 24th, 2022, it’s essential to recognize that many had contemplated leaving even before this pivotal moment.

While still living in Moscow, we planned to leave because we wanted children in the future, and it was obvious at that time that they would not be raised here in Russia. It was very clear where everything was moving towards in Russia – complete authoritarianism and violation of all rights, human rights, and so on. So my husband took a job with a German company. […] And when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine happened, we just grabbed everything, finished the last remaining documents and left. […] We realized long ago that we had to leave; nothing good was going to happen there in the next few years.

A DECOLONIAL ACTIVIST AND AUTHOR OF THE PODCAST REPUBLIC SPEAKING

Others had already left the country before February 24th but initially planned to return in the near future. In this sense, there was no contemplation about the question “Should I leave?” but rather the realization – whether slow or fast, abrupt or gradual – that return was no longer an option:

I was already in Germany at that time [February 2022] because I had started my PhD, so my departure was planned before and not directly related to the start of the invasion. At some point, it just became clear that there was no going back.

L., EDITOR AT BEDA, A GRASSROOTS MEDIA PLATFORM FOCUSING ON DECOLONIALITY

Going into exile is, therefore, not always merely a physical process. The identity shift from “journalist” to “journalist in exile” is not necessarily concurrent with crossing a state border. Even the physical process of going into exile is not always completed by entering another state, e.g. by moving from the Russian Federation to Georgia. Instead, Russian journalists who initially fled to one country often ended up leaving again, trying to reach a place where they could feel safe for a longer period:

To protect ourselves and the fledgling project, we decided to […] relocate to another country. And that’s how our journey around the world began. After moving to Georgia following the start of the war, the situation began to deteriorate and became unsafe. Our acquaintances and journalist colleagues were no longer allowed to enter Georgia without clear reasons. Overall, the situation became more challenging, and I no longer felt safe. In Germany, there was an option for a humanitarian visa for independent Russian media specialists. As a journalist, I considered seeking support here, and it seemed like the right decision.

CO-FOUNDER OF FARIDAILY

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Identity

SO, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER LEAVING YOUR COUNTRY? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A JOURNALIST IN EXILE?

Current estimates assume that around 1500-1800 Russian journalists work from outside the country. Initially, even more of them left Russia, but some of them eventually opted to return. Going into exile is therefore not just one decision (“I am leaving.”), but it can be a constant re-decision (“Am I staying? Is it safe to go back? Is it worth staying?”). Enduring this uncertainty regarding the timing and conditions of a potential return to their homeland remains challenging.

A difficult moment, and my colleagues faced it too, was that when we left, many of us thought that it was temporary and that we would come back in the foreseeable future. And when we first realized that this would continue for a long time, we had to choose: to return or to stay? Of course, many people, including myself, seriously considered the question of whether to go back.

JOURNALIST AT ECHO

According to Sabīne Sīle, the director of Riga Media Hub, it is important to accept the new identity as quickly as possible. Until their departure, they might have identified themselves as independent Russian journalists or media managers. From now on and for the foreseeable future, they should identify as Russian journalists in exile, whether in Germany, Latvia, Georgia, or elsewhere.

Some journalists who had to leave their homes in other countries a decade ago recommended accepting the reality as quickly as possible. They advised planning for the future in Latvia rather than making plans to return to their home countries. This transition may be challenging and painful, but it is necessary.

SABĪNE SĪLE, DIRECTOR OF RIGA MEDIA HUB

Many exiled journalists hope for a fast return, but Sabīne Sīle recommends accepting that change takes time and that this new identity will probably stick with them for a while. Drawing from her encounters with Belarusian journalists who’ve endured prolonged exile, she suggests redirecting focus toward the strengths inherent in their position as journalists in exile.

Transitioning into the role of a journalist in exile presents the intricate task of simultaneously engaging with two distinct societies. It involves analyzing developments within Russia, maintaining connections with sources in the homeland, and crafting content for an audience that remains rooted “over there” – all while navigating the complexities of forging a new life in a foreign land, an unfamiliar surrounding. From deliberating on potential media projects with colleagues in the morning to grappling with incomprehensive tax regulations in the evening, journalists in exile straddle two worlds. They endeavor to strike a delicate balance: remaining sufficiently connected to their home country to continue reporting on it while also immersing themselves enough in their new surroundings to establish a meaningful (professional, social, personal) life there:

Balancing our professional and personal lives was a challenge, as we had limited social connections in our new environment. […] Living abroad, we still cater to the Russian audience, which means our vacation and holiday schedules do not align with our European colleagues. On one hand, this hinders integration, as we cannot go out of town with colleagues due to different schedules. However, we cannot ignore the schedule in which our readers live, as it would affect the reach of our materials.

There are psychological challenges associated with integration difficulties, but they cannot be fully resolved. Adapting to the lifestyle and work schedule of Russian readers is a conscious choice we have made. Deviating from it would be reflected in our materials.

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST AT ISTORIES

In addition to balancing ties to Russia with integration into the host country, there’s the added complexity of collaborating with teams spread across various countries and, at times, even continents. Lessons learned from navigating the remote work dynamics during the COVID era provide valuable insights into effectively managing these challenges.²

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Future: perspectives in exile

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS WORKING IN RUSSIA CANNOT BE SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM TODAY, TOMORROW, OR NEXT WEEK. THEY ARE AFRAID OF BEING HARASSED, INDICTED, OR WORSE

However, while host countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Georgia or Latvia provide a certain level of security, many journalists in exile still are not sure what to expect in the future.

While many journalists feel safe for now, several uncertainties remain: Will those countries continue to issue humanitarian visas? What about journalists’ family members and partners?

Simply having a visa is already a significant accomplishment. In terms of work organization, we have policies in place for vacation and sick leave. […] Furthermore, our journalists have access to a psychologist if they request it, and we can provide several free sessions. We also have a small fund to cover medical expenses. However, these provisions are not without complexities. We rely on donors who may or may not allocate funds for psychological assistance or medical expenses.

PUBLISHER AT DOXA

This dependence on donors goes much further than just covering expenses for psychological support. While costs for operating media outlets from exile remain high, available public funds are declining.

Finally, the future of exiled journalists is highly dependent on political developments not only in Russia, but also in the receiving countries. Notably, the increase in voters’ support of right-wing parties impacts journalists’ sense of security.

As support for right-wing forces grows, my sense of security diminishes. While I, as a white woman, have not personally experienced strong discrimination in Germany, the potential possibility of deportation due to my passport is absolutely terrifying and makes me self-censor. I contemplate the consequences of self-censorship and what I would do if I were to be targeted for deportation. I am uncertain about what to expect, and it is endlessly frightening. I believe that political education and combating populist sentiments should be prioritized.

PUBLISHER AT DOXA

Mission

(CHAPTER 2)

WHY DOES ONE, DESPITE BEING FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMELAND, KEEP STAYING IN THE PROFESSION?

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Many people in the West fail to realize that being an independent journalist is not easy. Repressions against journalists are just the climax, as many individuals have already faced difficulties for years, leading them to self-censor, hide, or change their places of residence. This challenging environment has never been lucrative, so most people in the independent media field are driven by a mission and strong values.

Sabīne Sīle, director of Riga Media Hub

“Without media freedom, there is no democracy, and without some steps towards democracy in Russia, there will be no peace and freedom in Ukraine at the same time. While we may not bring democracy to Russia, our project contributes as a small puzzle piece supporting this larger goal.”

L., EDITOR AT BEDA, A GRASSROOTS MEDIA PLATFORM FOCUSING ON DECOLONIALITY

While preparing the booklet you are holding in hand, we interviewed a group of journalists and media workers in exile who agreed to share their experiences and talk more about their everyday challenges and needs. While asking the protagonists about the challenges, the inevitable question arose: Why does one, despite being deliberately forced out of their homeland and out of the profession by restricting laws, censorship, and danger, keep staying in the profession? And what keeps them going in exile, despite the hardships and often, as in the case with grassroots media projects and freelance media workers, a lack of sustainable funding?

The following quotes provide answers and highlight the different perspectives. All interviews were initially conducted in Russian and then translated into English.

When Putin came to power, his primary target for destruction was Russian civil society. This is a goal he has deliberately pursued throughout his rule. Our mission is to uphold the independence of journalism, maintain its standards and traditions, and strive for quality journalism without marginalization. With the onset of war, we realize the significance of our work for people in Russia. We receive abundant feedback, which essentially begs us: “Please, don’t leave us alone with this propaganda. You help us stay connected with reality.

Co-founder of Faridaily

Preserving the institution of Russian journalism is one of our missions so that when the war is over, when some kind of democratic system starts to be built, and even now when nothing is changing, we must preserve it so that it continues to develop. So that it is maintained, and, as soon as there is an opportunity, it could return to Russia to continue doing everything it did before […] with the same professionalism.

Journalist at Echo

We wanted to preserve traditional journalism because we realized that we are not politicians, judges, prosecutors, or the army of any of the countries involved. […] At that time, everybody stopped reading big texts; everybody would read only news. We wanted to preserve such big journalistic stories, or as we call them, documentary stories. […[ We loved journalism, and we thought that we should continue to do it, especially to continue to do it in such terrible times. Because there has to be a mirror in society that reflects what’s going on; although sometimes it’s not pleasant for you, you can look into it and be horrified, or vice versa. And it helps to connect people in some way.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

A full-scale invasion is a manifestation of colonial aggression aimed at taking away territory and within which colonial strategies and policies are reproduced, which Russia has been applying for a very long time and continues to apply. This is such a huge historical process that does not end. And it was very important to show it as it is. Especially in the first months of the invasion, you could often hear opinions that this happened out of the blue, that it is unbelievable and does not fit into any facets of rational thinking. It is important for us to show that this is, unfortunately, not something out of the ordinary. This is a continuation of a policy that Russia has been engaged in for a very long time.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

I would rather use the word “dream” [instead of mission]. […] It seems to me that some kind of dream and the importance of doing public activism for me lies in this participation in the emergence of new political subjectivities. Because it always happens collectively, it doesn’t happen in solitude, as all politics happen collectively. For this purpose, it is necessary to perform these performative acts of speaking, naming, designating, and articulating different types of statements, which will allow someone to realize that he or she is also involved in this, or create this opportunity to reflect and rethink themselves in this political field. It seems to me that everything that happened in Russia after the collapse of the USSR was possible precisely because society was depoliticized, and back then various processes were involved in depoliticizing it even more.

L., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

Why do Russians vote this way, why do they support this, and why do they support that? Well, you kind of have to look at the whole atmosphere in complexity, and it helps to understand what is actually going on.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

Before my emigration, I was doing commercial copywriting and writing fiction. A couple of years before the move, I left my stable job in IT to pursue my dream of becoming a writer. At that time, I was actually writing my novel; I thought that my mission was to write [a novel]. Now this novel is not being written because it seems to me that right now, and in the last couple of years in general, it is necessary to take more active steps. […] Before that, it seemed to me that I was somehow making my fiction and thus changing the world, at least the world around me. But it became clear that no art outside political agenda is possible.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

We have a goal, I guess you could call it a mission, too, […] to communicate the structural nature of Russian colonialism and its various other forms. This is how Racialization³ works, how the projection and production of the Other works, how alienation works, and how Russification⁴ and the absorption of the Other by the main population of the so-called titular nation work. These are all strategies that people have encountered at the everyday level, both within the current borders of Russia and in the countries that were part of the Soviet Union. They are very internalized and they have become part of some unconscious practices. I would like them, as systemic parts, to become clear, so that maybe this discourse becomes mainstream. So that this understanding of how Russia as an empire works would become rather routine so that it would not be something that you have to prove time after time and time after time and say, “No, look, there are a million examples and a million pages of analysis.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

If independent media outlets are closed, the audience in Russia will gradually consume less truthful information. This trend is already noticeable. Therefore, it is crucial to explore new methods of attracting this audience, using innovative language and formats to retain the interest of Russian citizens who are tired of war and repression. If these outlets are shut down, these individuals will be left alone with the existing system. […] Furthermore, it would undoubtedly affect activism, not just in political terms, but in everyday actions. The depoliticization of society would accelerate, and only a small portion of the population would remain informed about significant changes occurring in Russia. This is an extremely perilous situation, as isolation leads to disengagement from the political process. Whether it involves reading independent media outlets or supporting independent candidates, isolation ultimately hampers political participation and may result in its demise.

Publisher at DOXA

Our mission is simple: to be a voice for young people, offering them a platform where they can find support and answers to their questions. We aim to provide a space where they can seek support, find representation, and hear the voices of those who are often unheard in other media outlets. Furthermore, we endeavor to offer a platform to those who lack access to traditional media channels.

Publisher at DOXA

Although we have left Russia, our fellow citizens, many journalists and just ordinary people continue to stay in Russia. Many of them are anti-war, and it’s hard for them to stay there because they often feel alone; they often feel that the general background pressures them, and it’s important for us to continue to support them and to continue to tell them independent, honest information, despite the censorship, despite the closure of the media, everyone should have access to free, independent, honest information, and everyone should be able to find some kind of support like that, wherever they are.

Journalist at Echo

I think, for me, it all comes from my experience of racism in Moscow. When someone insulted me, for example, […] , or could push me in any way […] – no one stood up for me. I always had a feeling of incomprehension: why don’t people stand up for others when they see that something wrong is going on, that a person is being unfairly attacked? It always seemed to me that if just one person stood up for someone else, others would also [stand up for them]. […] I am trying to stand up for myself through this activism, not for a particular Tyvinian⁵, not for a particular Ukrainian, but in general for the concept. […] I think it’s also about the theory of small change and how someone always has to take the first step. It’s always very hard to take, it’s easier to take the second step after someone has already taken the first step. I probably wouldn’t have taken that step either if I hadn’t often found myself in a situation where no one stood up for me. This is my personal, traumatic story of seeking justice.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

I think, for a lot of people, the beginning of the invasion was such a life-changing experience. I remember that I just stopped being able to make sense of almost everything I had been doing before in my research interests and in almost all the communities I was a part of. It seemed to me that it was all so inadequate to reality and that we were trying to do some kind of cultural or feminist research or cultural projects, and we were completely caught up in some kind of reverie or illusion of making a difference when in practice we should have been doing completely different things. […] I don’t see the point of writing academic texts [anymore], for example, but I see the point of writing investigative or research texts that show why these things become possible.

L., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

I don’t believe [our mission] has changed [since the start of Russian invasion]. On our website, there was a section that outlined our criteria for selecting topics and our approach to the publication process. The main criteria have always been social significance and our ability to verify information. We rely on necessary documents and facts to ensure the credibility of our evidence. When we initially launched, [the word ‘important’ in our media description] sounded ambitious, and we aimed to explain what we deemed important. […] With the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it became evident that there was nothing more important than the war. We no longer need to justify why we primarily focus on it.

Investigative journalist at iStories

Hard times

(CHAPTER 3)

CHALLENGES FOR EXILED RUSSIAN-SPEAKING MEDIA WORKERS

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Russian independent media in exile is a difficult narrative to sell because it’s complicated and very political. To collect donations, you need to deliver a good story and a good cause so that people want to support you. In the end, it’s easier to explain a classical humanitarian or charity cause than a long-term political project with an impact that is not so easy to measure.

Project manager at Journalists in Need Network

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Funding

Contributing to a prolific and innovative sector on the international and country-specific scales, exiled media specialists and journalists face numerous challenges. Based on our discussions with established outlets, start-ups, grassroots initiatives, and support organizations, we’ve categorized these as follows

Unsurprisingly, financial resources pose a significant challenge and underpin most concerns expressed by the media specialists we interviewed. Despite substantial donor support in 2022-2023, funding distribution remained uneven. Grassroots initiatives and start-up representatives reported receiving less money, less frequently, than established outlets, making fundraising a matter of survival for their projects and themselves. They also note a lack of transparency in the communication of allocation criteria for public funds.

I often feel like a tiny turtle on a vast beach of donor money, constantly performing tasks to gain attention and support for my project … While donors often avoid supporting small initiatives due to their perceived unsustainability, it begs the question: for how long can the same projects be supported? I believe grassroots initiatives, despite their significant contributions, haven’t received adequate attention.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

Media projects, particularly those covering the culture, history, and politics of the federal subjects of Russia, along with critical assessments of the country’s neocolonial policies, offer invaluable insights into the complexities of its political landscape. These insights are crucial to international readers, decision-makers, and Russian citizens who might otherwise accept the official (and often false) state narratives of Russia being a benevolent and prosperous nation. However, these projects often receive insufficient funding, sometimes not even enough to cover necessary software for media production. Consequently, workers involved in these projects often have to juggle their unpaid or underpaid jobs with other non-civic-oriented roles.

I’m committed to this project because I believe it’s crucial in life and activism. Despite our continuous efforts to secure funding through applications, we’ve found ourselves in a tough situation. Perhaps, as we were learning the ropes, we didn’t position ourselves appropriately for potential donors … Our small size and slow growth make it difficult to show impressive results. We do not experience audience surges after project implementation, which can be a hindrance to attracting funding.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

Apart from that, donors and international employers often overlook the need to provide resources for family relocation. Based on the experiences of support organization representatives we’ve spoken to, having family members nearby can significantly lessen the hardships of exile. The absence thereof, on the contrary, can drive people back to their home country, however unsafe it may be.

A frustration arises when I see that Western media organizations, who hire Russian citizens, do not take care of the family unit. If the partner is not registered or if the family experiences a health crisis, it is shocking to see the lack of support. […] I believe it is a matter of social responsibility related to job relocation, especially when there is a risk of imprisonment.

Sabīne Sīle, director of Riga Media Hub

Both established and novice media representatives noted that existing funding schemes primarily favored short-term projects, adding the stress of extra reporting tasks to their management responsibilities. To sustain themselves, media outlets often had to run multiple short-term projects to cover specific needs instead of long-term multifaceted ones. This shift, coupled with the challenges of integrating into new legal and cultural contexts, could negatively impact mental health and overall ability to carry on working among exiled media workers. Consequently, financial resources are critically needed for mental health support. However, this area too is often underfunded or overlooked.

The main problem is that nobody can plan the future beyond the horizon for more than six months. In this sense, it is very difficult to understand what your development plan should be, for example, or what you should save money on and where you should invest resources. You may have to cut back next year and it doesn’t depend on how well you are doing your job.

Editor-in-Chief at Novaya Gazeta Europe

Exile media sector representatives depend on donors and support organizations, regardless of their outlet size, because war has rendered previous business models obsolete. Advertisers have either withdrawn from the Russian-speaking media market or are hesitant to collaborate with independent publications due to fears of being associated with “foreign agents” or “undesirable organizations”, as it could lead to restrictions or prosecution or simply because newly emerged projects do not have the reach which could be of interest to them.

We are facing a significant financial burden that we cannot fully accommodate, leading to a projected budget deficit in 2023. Consequently, we currently do not have any permanent staff. Our team consists of more than 40 individuals who receive honoraria from us. This excludes partners, YouTube channels, podcast authors, and others who contribute content without a commercial relationship. of us, including myself, are freelancers working in various departments. Especially in Germany, this freelance arrangement offers less protection of labor rights.

Journalist at Echo

Income generation from reader donations is rarely effective, although, with extensive audience engagement, it can meet some operational needs. However, due to similar fears, readers from Russia are either limited in their donation options or choose not to donate at all for safety reasons. Establishing connections with foreign readers willing to donate is a separate strategic task requiring human resources that may be scarce.

For these reasons, most of the media outlets we spoke to are either registered as NGOs or operate as freelance partnerships. Which brings us to the …

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Regulatory and legal challenges

At the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there was a large wave of migration to European and CIS countries. These states generously issued humanitarian and other types of visas. However, in two years, the visa-issuing processes in Europe slowed down due to the high volume of requests and strict security profiling

Nevertheless, the urgency has not decreased: repressive laws in Russia pose a significant danger to journalists who remain there. These journalists often collaborate with exiled outlets and may need to leave the country at any moment. The cooperation of certain CIS states with Russian authorities also poses a risk of extradition. Consequently, these countries are either viewed as transit locations or unsuitable for hosting individuals seeking to avoid prosecution. In this context, it’s crucial to acknowledge that ongoing assistance relating to relocation—from letters of intent to integration consultancy and support in family relocation—is of utmost importance.

We know that right-wing politicians are not supporting free media in general, so if this becomes more and more normalized in Germany, this will also mean that this is turning into a country where free media is getting fewer and fewer opportunities to work. For exiled journalists, this poses a dual challenge: uncertain residency status as immigrants in Germany and potential restrictions on media freedom. A shift towards anti-foreign sentiment also reduces the chances of financial support. It’s alarming not only for individuals seeking refuge but also for sustaining our support projects.

Project manager at Journalists in Need Network

In countries like Germany, where right-wing forces are on the rise, residency security and the right to free speech are increasingly questioned. This forces individuals to self-censor or change their residency locations multiple times.

Apart from that, censorship comes into play even as certain publishing platforms’ policies Meta’s community guidelines frequently shadowban or block important emergency-related content. Given that social media is a primary information source for many modern readers, this can inadvertently limit their access to vital information, thus impeding civic activity and decision-making.

Meta shadowbans certain impactful content, meaning that reporting on a missile attack in Kyiv may be prohibited due to a contradiction with community guidelines. This poses a significant challenge to freedom of speech and access to information. Although numerous international regulations exist, there has not been enough agreement between media outlets, major corporations, and governments.

Publisher at DOXA

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Content and audience

Repressive state systems quickly adapt to advancing media technologies to limit audience access to independent outlets. In addition to blocking websites, Russian authorities even declared Meta a “terrorist or extremist organization” in 2022, prohibiting its use in the country.

VPN tools are consistently blocked, making it difficult for general users to bypass restrictions without either abandoning their information consumption practices or learning new digital skills. Several independent media outlets have been declared “undesirable organizations,” with laws against them continuously tightened. This includes equating sharing a post from an “undesirable organization” online to participating in that organization’s operations, which can lead to criminal prosecution. But, despite state authorities exerting notable effort to discourage the audience from accessing information from oppositional and independent sources and openly omitting, falsifying and restricting access to socially and politically significant information for journalists, they respond to these challenges courageously.

Although our working methods have significantly evolved, our principles remain unchanged. Even when we publish anonymous interviews, we do not neglect the need for evidence. Collecting and analyzing documents continue to be vital aspects of our investigations. The principle that anonymous interviews should be a last resort no longer applies to us, as well as other publications. At present, our main goal is to protect our interviewees. Anonymity is now crucial for their safety, considering the risks individuals face in Russia, where critical public statements can lead to imprisonment or even death. While readers may have less trust in anonymous interviews, it is important to recognize that standards and priorities shift during times of crisis.

Investigative journalist at iStories

Credibility and content relevance were highlighted as significant issues, unsurprisingly considering the remote communication between journalists and their home country audiences. Many of our interviewees noted a shift in source communication. Previously, some could enter official institutions and request comments from employees or use databases to find meaningful stories. Now, most content comes from phone calls, requiring journalists to use not only critical thinking and investigative skills but also psychology skills. So does community management which is necessary for maintaining trust and solidarity with the readership.

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Resources and logistics

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine compelled many individuals to not only reassess their values but also redirect their work focus

As several journalists interviewed for this publication noted, non-war-related projects they previously enjoyed were deliberately set aside to make room for more urgent ones. This included educational and cultural programs. However, in 2023, resource sharing and journalists’ education began to slowly regain momentum, which is critical for several reasons.

Firstly, covering social and political issues within Russia, without being physically present there, demands intricate management and a network of informants or freelancers. These individuals need assurances of safety and compensation for their work. Peer learning and more formal modes of journalist training necessitate participant verification, digital security resources, and, ideally, opportunities for on-site participation.

Additionally, establishing a new editorial life in a foreign country is hard to conceive without the support networks of local specialists and fellow exiled colleagues. Several media representatives focusing on feminist, anti-imperialist, and decolonial agendas pointed out that such networks are unfortunately more accessible to large-scale media, while being exclusive towards more niche ones.

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Work culture and ethics

Exclusivity, snobbery, uncaring work cultures, and a reluctance to establish meaningful intersectional collaborations were cited as major issues by both established and emerging media representatives

‘Chiefdom, clans, cannibals. What do we know about Russia’s poorest region?’ Quotes like this, full of clickbait and scandal, significantly influence the representation of Tyva. The image of Tyva’s people, influenced by common social stereotypes and myths in our xenophobic Russian society, negatively impacts their quality of life. This is not only at the everyday level but also when budget redistribution occurs within Russia, where Tyva is often presented as the poorest region. This scenario raises a question: Could it be a vicious cycle? When the journalistic megaphone is held by privileged individuals who are essentially the same because of their path to journalism, it can harm those it doesn’t represent. Worse still, these journalists may not even realize their impact. But when you attempt to discuss these issues, you risk being seen as a constant complainer.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

The lack of solidarity and unrecognized categorization of “importance” often results in the misrepresentation or neglect of authors and stories from these regions, perpetuating an unequal distribution of resources. It’s a serious issue because paying attention to the political processes, culture, and histories of the federal subjects of Russia and former USSR countries can provide insights into the origins of the contemporary political situation.

These frustrations, along with the challenges of migration adaptation and heavy workload, can lead to burnout. Many people tend to ignore this until it results in debilitating mental health issues.

In Russian journalism, there’s a common belief that you must burn out to do a good job. If you’re not burning out, it implies that you need to work harder. And God forbid you ask for more money.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

Denying these common needs among certain established media representatives indicates an unawareness of the negative effects of burnout on work culture and overall productivity. If the collective doesn’t discuss mental health concerns, it may lead individuals to distance themselves emotionally. This can result in deeper dissonance, considering that achieving a work-life balance in exile is often utopian. Media collectives frequently move, work, and spend their free time together because they form their only network in the new country.

(3_6)

Individual distress

One of the reasons for severe individual distress experienced by exiled journalists is the fear for their lives

The Russian state has a history of politically motivated murders, the most recent being the death of Alexey Navalny, or an attempt to poison Elena Kostuchenko from Novaya Gazeta, who resides in Germany. Most exiled journalists left Russia because they already faced criminal cases, while others live under constant threat of such cases being opened against them remotely. Experience of exile often comes with a necessity to leave family members or loved ones behind, and in repressive contexts, together with longing, comes fear for their safety.

The most significant challenge was the risk I posed to my family. My entire family resides in Tyva. After I voiced my opposition to the war on Instagram and participated in protests in Moscow and Berlin, my relatives persistently called me. In a state of hysteria, they asked, “What are you doing?”. My family suffered intense cyberbullying due to my public stance. People began reaching out to my family members – my parents, grandmother, uncle, and anyone else they could find. Many accused me of being a traitor because I spoke about donating to the Ukrainian Army in an interview. This stance was inconceivable for many. They failed to comprehend how one could oppose the war while ‘our boys are there’, and they assumed my opposition meant I wanted them to lose.

a decolonial activist, and author of the podcast republic speaking

Exiled journalists also often struggle with their professional identities. Being located in one place while reporting on another, combined with a high workload that prevents adequate settling in, can lead to feelings of alienation. Therefore, it is important for support organizations to encourage the emergence of informal networks and professional integration.

Mental Health

(CHAPTER 4)

WHAT IS THE MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION OF JOURNALISTS IN EXILE?

“

[I am] not well. I don’t know; I think I can state it openly: burnout is there. The fatigue is there. Depression is there. In a nutshell, everything is present (laughs).

K., editor at Beda, answering the question “How are you?’ during the interview for this booklet

(4_1)

What problems do journalists in exile face?

“We did a psychological training in the fall and found out that things were much worse than we could have imagined. There are every possible signs of PTSD, stress that follows PTSD symptoms and anxiety.”

Editor-in-Chief at Novaya Gazeta Europe

Throughout the experience of communicating with both journalists in exile and organizations providing support for journalists in exile, we have allocated a special need to address the mental health issues that media workers in exile face, which requires a systematic and targeted approach to providing relevant support in the realms of mental health. To better understand the context in which journalists in exile work and how it affects their mental well-being, we have asked Emma Thomasson about the environment and the challenges these professionals face.

“I see common issues across all different kinds of journalists. […] People make assumptions about the issues that are hard for journalists to deal with, like being a war reporter, for example. And, in my experience, the things that are hardest for people to deal with are often closer to home, like the working environment, their relationship with their boss and with their colleagues, or, actually, the home environment, the problems at home with their family.”

Emma connects these issues with the experience of journalists throughout the world. She underlines that the content of journalism, however hard and emotional it can be to deal with, does not have as big of an impact on journalists’ mental health as the environment surrounding them in their everyday lives.

“An example that I always give is that of one of my colleagues at Reuters, who’s a journalist in Gaza. He has worked for Reuters for 30, even 40 years. He is reporting from Gaza; he is Palestinian. And he wrote about his own mental health crisis that he long had before these current events. His mental health crisis was not triggered by covering a conflict and living in a conflict his whole life. His mental health crisis was triggered by his brother dying of cancer. […] Obviously, the fact that he covered and lived in that environment for so long was part of it as well. But the thing that really pushed him over the edge was something private and personal.“

The stress of the war was compounded by the fact that our parents and loved ones remained under the control of the Russian authorities. We faced the additional difficulties of adjusting to a new country with a different language and working under unfamiliar rules. Balancing our professional and personal lives was a challenge.

Investigative journalist at iStories

The feeling of unsafety is emphasized by the extent to which families of journalists in exile who remain in Russia are exposed to the danger of political prosecution or possible threats from authorities:

The most scary thing is not so much [my relatives] having problems at work or public discussions, but their safety. I’m afraid that it may come to the point that the state might try to influence activists through their relatives who are on the ground like it already did in Chechnya.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

The same issue is common among journalists and employees of Russian media titles in exile, who have their loved ones exposed to this risk of prosecution:

On a personal level, […], the most difficult situation is not for me, but for my partner, who has Russian citizenship; she is here waiting for a decision on asylum because she is a trans person, and it is connected with this whether we will stay here or not, and whether we will go somewhere else, and how exactly, and when exactly? It is such a very unclear situation.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

One of the solutions to minimize these risks could be very practical and aimed at providing targeted support, such as relocation and visa support, not only for journalists in exile but for their family members as well. According to a professional working in a Europe-based media hub for journalists in exile, another possible solution would be sustaining long-term support for journalists in exile, as the feeling of safety sustains mental health. This is crucial, as it directly affects the quality and impact of their work:

It is important to recognize that individuals who have experienced displacement need time to recover and establish themselves before meeting high professional standards. Expecting perfection from a community that faces financial instability and has had to move across multiple countries within a short period is harmful and damaging.

Sabīne Sīle, director of Riga Media Hub

(4_2)

Is there a stigma around mental health among Russian journalists in exile?

One of the reasons for severe individual distress experienced by exiled journalists is the fear for their lives

According to Emma Thomasson’s observations throughout her career, the situation around mental health has changed a lot, even in the last five years. Besides the cultural and generational reasons for not recognizing burnout within the team or talking about it openly, there are exceptions among journalists who work in smaller media titles, often grassroots or self-organized. This is also related to factors such as generation and gender, as noted by Emma Thomasson. Among various Russian media in exile, the situation regarding the stigma around mental health has shifted.

Before that, people didn’t even talk about it because there was a taboo about talking about mental health problems. I feel like my generation and the work that I did with other people at Reuters was sort of revolutionary back then. We were talking about things and being open about our own problems. And that was kind of shocking, even five years ago, that people would talk about it. Now, I think it’s much more accepted that people are more open about the topic. I think there’s less stigma, but it also depends on the country and the culture. I get the impression that it’s less so in Russia. Maybe that’s also because they have more of a culture of being tough, and ‘life is hard, so I have to be tough.’ This is very simplified, but that is my impression. In the workshops that we were doing with the Journalists In Need Network, there was a podcast project, and they are interested in mental health issues. And they are mostly women. So maybe gender has an effect there. [In their case], they’re sort of building an organization with that awareness in the core of the organization. In contrast, you’d have another organization that’s much more macho in the sense ‘we have to be tough’ and all these other kinds of stuff.

Emma Thomasson

Among the ways to change this stigmatization or suppression within the teams, Emma highlights the need to start talking about the difficulties and challenges employers face within the team or organization.

“The first thing you need to do is to address the stigma so people can talk about it openly.”

The most effective way to do so would be to encourage senior employees, especially men, to start this conversation.

“Women are more likely to ask for help anyway. […] When a senior man talks about his mental health problems, then it makes a start. I think that men taking mental health seriously makes a difference for people from different cultures as well.”

(4_3)

Why do journalists in exile not ask for help when they face mental health crises?

Relating to her experience working with Russian journalists in exile, Emma Thomasson notes that there is something different in comparison to problems that other journalists face. This is connected to the feeling of guilt and shame.

“The difference in the case of Russians in the current war in Ukraine is that Russians feel their responsibility. They feel guilt and shame. It’s a little bit like that in any situation where people are reporting on their own crisis, so Israelis in Israel or Palestinians in Palestine, where you’re not a neutral observer of the situation, but you’re part of it.”

These feelings, triggered by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, affect their mental health to an extent when they eventually stop taking care of themselves, using suppressing coping mechanisms or not feeling worthy of asking for help.

“It has two effects. One is that it makes people want to work harder and longer. […] It makes people not look after themselves because they work harder.”

The issue of immersing oneself in a large amount of work is not uncommon among Russian journalists in exile. This, however, can also be seen as one of the coping mechanisms.

We had only one video director during our New Year’s stream. It’s a very difficult process. The stream went on until 4 or 5 in the morning, and the whole process was managed by one person, one video director. He was in charge of everything, starting all the video clips at the right moment, turning on the clock that was supposed to show 12:00 and so on. So it was tough work. But it was after the New Year that he said that it was his happiest New Year and that he felt great, that it was the first time in a long time that he felt [this way].

Journalist at Echo

The other reason journalists in exile don’t or very rarely ask for help with mental health is the lack or non-availability of mental health support programs or the non-transparency of the criteria, due to which they can feel themselves either excluded or not worthy of getting help. This problem is common even within media in exile, which already have a functioning system of support and work, such as Meduza.

We are in a somewhat more privileged position here compared to our colleagues, as we have been working in exile since 2014 and have managed to establish some of the processes to support our work. […] Nevertheless, the demand for psychological support far exceeds the capacity to provide it; I mean not just the capacity of our media, but the capacities of the system as a whole.

Editor-in-Chief of Meduza

When it comes to grassroots media projects and the activists and self-employed journalists in exile, there is a disturbing tendency for these professionals not to be able to access help in any way, which we see as a top priority for advocacy, as these journalists and media workers have little to nothing to rely on.

Everyone [in our team] is always happy when [mental health support] programs become available, but even when they are accessible, I feel like I’m always shy to use them. I only once asked one initiative to help find me the medication I was taking, but they didn’t find it. I also once asked, since they mentioned they could offer a paid therapist session if I could have it, but they left my question unanswered. I keep thinking that, well, maybe I’m not considered a journalist then, since I cannot access that help.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

This problem is common among small media, usually grassroots projects or individual freelance journalists, who are not affiliated with any organizations and, therefore, face limited access to support programs.

I know that there are few programs. I recently applied for one but was not accepted, and I did not understand why. I was ashamed to send an application in the first place because what if they don’t believe me, or what if they think that the situation looks bad, not because it is bad, but because I’m exaggerating it? Like, should I have made it not as bad as it was? So, there are some of these programs. Still, despite being extremely important, they are not always reachable or visible at all, as in you don’t know where to find them, or their selection criteria are not very transparent.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

(4_4)

Why is it important to provide long-term, inclusive and accessible mental health support for journalists in exile?

We don’t have a psychological safety protocol on the team; none of the teams I’m on have one. It’s probably because it’s very difficult to care for another person when many people can’t even care for themselves. This could be a separate line of work for donors and organizations that help activists. It seems to me that what is needed is, first of all, psychological support programs.

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

The importance of mental health support for journalists in exile Emma Thomasson links to the importance of supporting journalists in general:

“If journalists don’t look after themselves, or if their organizations don’t help them to look after themselves, then they burn out, they leave the profession, and then they can’t do their job of reporting important stories and holding power [of their state] to account.”

The problem of sufficient and accessible mental health support programs is especially crucial among journalists in exile. As many of journalists in exile nowadays are legally unemployed and work as freelancers, this puts them in an extremely vulnerable position.

“It’s not just about the companies helping the journalists; it’s about how you help people who are basically self-employed. They’ve got no organization to look out for them.”

Since most support programs are more accessible to journalists directly affiliated with some particular organization or media, freelance journalists not affiliated with any organization are often left excluded from professional communities, which also affects the diversity of journalism in exile and the content that media in exile are producing:

In the past few years, I have been grappling with significant mental health issues. As a freelancer, I lack the support of an employer or coworkers to share my concerns. Without sufficient funds or resources, we struggle to delegate tasks such as handling documents, searching for housing, or fundraising. The added stress of forced migration, coupled with work-related issues, leaves me anxious about meeting basic needs. This anxiety is so intense that, at 32, I feel twice my age. I am constantly worried about not having enough money for living expenses or energy for work, which leads to insomnia and ongoing stress about our living situation in the future. My inability to envision a clear future prevents me from making plans.

The main fallout of these pressures is burnout. When faced with a multitude of tasks and without the means to delegate them, I’m constantly on the edge of a nervous breakdown. This stress affects my work; I need to take breaks, go for walks, or rest when my body demands it. Despite this, I push myself to continue working. The uncertainty about how long I can sustain this is unsettling. It feels as though everything is coming to a head due to the overwhelming uncertainty, tasks, and stress, coupled with the absence of any stable support.

Co-founder of Faridaily

I have the feeling that journalism is very elitist. […] There is a feeling that this institution as a whole is closed, as if there is unequal access to getting these jobs, because this pool of journalists is already closed, and I can only get in if I come and say that I am carrying a field exclusive from [my region].

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

According to Emma Thomasson, strengthening support for journalists who are not part of any organization to ensure they can get access to the needed support programs is very important to sustain journalism diversity.

“We’re trying to make journalism more diverse and representative of the people we report about. And if it becomes like a luxury profession, then that’s not great. […] Old-school media wasn’t very diverse, nor was it very creative. It was one particular model of journalism that worked for a long time. And now I think it’s amazing, the sort of things that are happening [in journalism], also around citizen journalism and also very local micro-projects”.

It is important to ensure they can get access to the needed support programs to sustain journalism diversity.

Learning from the crisis

(CHAPTER 5)

ALLIANCES, SUPPORT SYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

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One of the biggest learnings is the power of community and hubs in creating connections and relationships. Often, media development focuses solely on the professional aspect and neglects the human side. However, it is important to recognize that individuals who have gone through traumatic experiences cannot be pushed to their limits just to produce a professional report. By investing in people and being there for them during their lowest points, lasting connections are formed. This revelation has shown that together, we can overcome anything and face challenges with strength.

Sabīne Sīle, director of Riga Media Hub

Resistance to the oppressive regime, which exiled most independent journalists, requires a variety of nuanced skills and competencies

These range from digital data analysis and understanding social media algorithms to translating legal documents into simple language and gaining trust from sensitive sources. Many people we spoke with had to learn those and adapt to the new contexts on the go. But, despite the challenges, our interviewees managed to build productive relationships with local media infrastructures and strengthened support networks within their editorials and across the sector. Such relationships, among other things, consist of collaborating on investigative projects and diversifying staff teams with hands-on expertise in the Russian context.

Media Hubs have proven to be invaluable infrastructures, meeting the situational and strategic needs of exiled media outlets across Europe and the CIS as the journalists arrived in foreign countries, often at a loss. These spaces offer more than just networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Media hub representatives in Riga and Berlin emphasized that they strive to assist with fundraising challenges for media outlets, either through consultancy or by issuing their own small-scale sub-granting programs. This redistribution of effort can relieve the burden from larger donors and provide more targeted support more quickly. The same applies to capacity-building training, language courses, and legalization. Given enough base funding and autonomy, media hubs are quick to connect specialists from subsequent fields with journalists who need this support as end beneficiaries.

Sustainability within the exiled media sector can be achieved through intersectional solidarity and cross-institutional alliances. As Riga Media Hub shares its experience and best practices across media hub networks in Europe, other support organizations can learn from this example.

Providing resources for family relocation and collaborating with the Office of Citizenship and Migration advocating to issue residency permits “in the interest of the State”, Riga Media Hub also issues press cards recognized across the EU, accommodating journalists from Russia and other authoritarian countries and regions like Georgia and Central Asia. Moreover, in the past year, it has initiated discussions between journalists and the Judges Training Center to encourage attorneys and judges to consider information from independent Russian media when discussing Latvia’s policies towards Russia.

We understand that comments from national security services have a significant impact, and people often become scared or hesitant to discuss them. We aimed to encourage open discussion and create a safe environment for dialogue. Whether the discussion is about general security concerns or specific individuals, it’s crucial to address these issues. We are glad that judges are also involved in these discussions, as national security arguments can be manipulated for political purposes. In Latvia, such manipulation crossed a line and was met with significant pushback for being unreasonable and excessive.

Sabīne Sīle, director of Riga Media Hub

However, support does not always have to come top-down from donors to intermediaries to the beneficiaries. The need to establish agile, flexible, vast, and professional networks, for instance, brought together a team of journalists who founded a documentary media outlet and a freelancers’ agency that connects authors, often reporting directly from Russia, with larger publications. They built their model from scratch, not only to support those in exile but especially those remaining in Russia. It’s critical to remember that these individuals could be exiled at any moment under the current regime.

Russian journalism in exile goes beyond just texts. It encompasses management, business, and HR. The ideal situation is to have half of the staff composed of managers, executives, and organizers rather than just writers. Although it may sound mundane, a successful media organization needs more than just writers. Someone needs to strategize how to integrate the business model into the global market. These individuals may not be writing texts, but their work is crucial. They, too, have families and need to plan for the future. Therefore, it’s important to acknowledge the necessity of this aspect of the business.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

A similar strategy of capacity building was apparent among other large-scale media outlets. Several representatives highlighted the vital role of their editorials in providing relocation assistance, finding accommodation and insurance, and connecting individual employees with competent mental health specialists. And, amid the crisis, certain media outlets are not only focused on maintaining their staff but also expanding it. They are launching journalism schools and training for younger generations of authors to bring in new perspectives and topics to cover.

A workshop can only go so far. People need other kinds of support as well.

Emma Thomasson, a journalist, consultant and leadership coach

Feminist and decolonial media projects, as well as small startups, can greatly benefit from mutual aid, especially in terms of mental health support. This is possible due to their smaller size and less rigid organizational structure. However, larger teams can also adopt practices such as Balint groups for collective psychological support and awareness teams.

When you realize that there is space to talk about it and to do something about it, rather than ignoring it in an ‘at our group, no one is tired’ way, which I think is such a gross suppression. It’s important to talk and communicate that there is space for fatigue, there is space for depression, there is space for our differences.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

Many of our respondents emphasized the importance of establishing work ethics and systems of care within teams. Without these, the potential for internal crises increases, which can exacerbate external challenges and workload. While some teams may follow certain ethical guidelines instinctively, others express a need for specific resources to build their community. These resources could include group retreats or conflict management training conducted in a relaxing environment.

(5_2)

Why is exile media sector sustainability vital?

Unrealistic expectations, including such that Russian media would be the ones to end the war, caused misunderstandings in different countries.

Sabīne Sīle, director of Riga Media Hub

Several interviewees indicated that the initial expectation of international donors and state systems for the media sector to end Russia’s war against Ukraine was unrealistic. Nevertheless, civil societies within the country and those in exile all need reliable information sources that represent their problems and interests. Encouraging diversity and meaningful cooperation within the field contributes to the existence of political discourse, which Russian authorities work day and night to eradicate.

The exiled media sector includes forward-thinking, critically oriented, and courageous journalists. These individuals adhere to strict journalistic ethics and provide factual information amid authoritarian propaganda. In exile, many new, multi-format, grassroots, feminist, and decolonial projects find themselves in similar conditions, needing to survive established, liberal, and more traditional media outlets. Slow but evident change in the latter’s agenda, facilitated by cooperation with the former, can contribute to structural changes in the media sector and public discourse. This cooperation can also combat xenophobia, discrimination, as well as state and interpersonal violence.

Dear donors

(CHAPTER 6)

SHIFTING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT FOR RUSSIAN MEDIA IN EXILE

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Journalists in exile have low salaries and a very unclear future, so please give them the opportunity to access education.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT NOVAYA GAZETA EUROPE

(6_1)

Accessible and Transparent Long-term Funding

All our interviewees mentioned this basic demand: Donors should acknowledge that short-term grants hinder the professional development of media outlets and do not allow for any kind of long-term planning

While talking to journalists in exile as well as representatives of support organizations, at some point all our conversations led to the sentence: “If we could directly talk to the donors, we would like to tell them…” So, what is it that journalists want to tell the (potential) donor organizations? We collected demands, suggestions, clarifications, and wishes. While this is not a comprehensive list, it is important to us to conclude this publication by giving a voice to our protagonists.

While the different media outlets in exile are trying and testing new business models, they would greatly benefit from less bureaucratic and more long-term funding, giving them more time to work on financial sustainability instead of constant fundraising and reporting to donors.

As we move into 2024, questions arise regarding the duration of [the legal and financial] support and how soon we can achieve at least partial self-sustainability.

This is a vital question, and we believe that both media outlets like ours and donors should aim for greater transparency in identifying the necessary support and allocating resources. This will enable us to coordinate our actions in the market and prevent situations where media outlets are forced to shut down due to lack of funding. We are already witnessing similar situations in Belarus, which is deeply concerning. While we don’t expect constant and unlimited funding, it is important for us to have confidence that the support will remain stable for at least another two years until we can become self-sustainable.

Publisher at DOXA

[To professionalize your media outlet], you need to develop a business model, conduct audience research, test new products, understand your positioning in the market, build relationships with foreign partners, and build relationships in the place where you are. You have to do a huge amount of strategic work, but a huge amount of time is taken up by short-term grant applications and reporting on them, patching up holes, so to speak.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

While I am optimistic about the project’s future in the medium term, it is difficult to determine how far ahead it can go. We are unable to predict the longevity of our project three years from now due to insufficient funding and other necessary resources for the editorial team’s operation.

Co-founder of Faridaily

(6_2)

Investment in Capacity Building of Exile Media

Sustainable funding should prioritize capacity-building initiatives that empower exiled journalists to adapt, grow, and excel in their new environments. This includes training programs, mentorship opportunities, and access to resources that enhance their skills, professionalism, and organizational capacity.

Any seminars where you can listen to experts and talk to them and ask them questions are very useful for overcoming challenges [that we encounter]. In this respect, BIMEX has been very useful for us from the very beginning. Since we have been here, we have participated in every one of them. This is great support because, of course, there is nowhere to get any information other than your own experience.

Journalist at Echo

The more targeted this support is, the better. It is very necessary to teach how to write, for example, an operating budget and how to write a strategy and build the structure of an organization – the more targeted, the better. We need to learn and build businesses and companies in a new environment. We do not know how to do this yet. In general, the Russian media are not always built professionally, and it is important to professionalize them to build working processes in a new environment.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

(6_3)

Promoting Diversity and Pluralism

A vibrant and diverse media landscape is essential for a thriving democracy

Currently, the Russian independent media landscape in exile can be described as vibrant, but especially smaller media who promote diversity and decolonial perspectives have a hard time securing grants. Donors should consider the immediate risks those small teams are facing: working without sufficient funding, often without salaries, which will lead to burnout in the short run and possibly complete destruction of those media in the long term.

I really don’t understand why donors aren’t reaching out to grassroots initiatives more. No, I get it. For accountability, when you report to higher-ups, it’s nice when you can easily Google the people you’re helping. But then it’s basically a messed-up system.

L., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

If we stand for truly democratic humanist values, it’s about helping the oppressed. All voices are important; no voice is more important, and no voice is less important. And these voices are not represented. […] You are not a democrat then, if you do not help us. Otherwise, why are our voices not important to you?

a decolonial activist and author of the podcast republic speaking

So far, we have a very difficult situation with funding; it’s not expected despite the fact that I, and we all, are constantly writing applications. I guess that while we were learning how to do it, we may not have positioned ourselves in the right way for donors, […] because we are quite small and do not grow very fast, we do not have some geometric growth, audience outbursts after the implementation of projects, it is very difficult for us to show some results that will make your head spin.

Editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

It is important to increase the diversity of opinions and points of view. Because if you support the same big players all of the time, you will always get more or less the same materials about the same topics – which is not to diminish any of the other media. I just have the feeling that often, the media, which do not look at what is happening through a decolonial lens, seem to miss a very important systemic element, and sometimes they fall into the same trap of the so-called surprised face, as it happened with invasion.

I would like to find, and we from our side also want to find, some kind of approach to donors. Because these open calls and programs are crafted for very specific initiatives. This could also be a call for expansion and inclusion. So that we, on the one hand, can learn better to navigate in this world, and, on the other hand, so that some support that is being provided, could be more targeted.

K., editor at Beda, a grassroots media platform focusing on decoloniality

(6_4)

Visa security, Safety and Stability

In order to do their job and fulfill their mission, journalists in exile need more legal support throughout visa processes, including not only the prolongation of current visas, but also a reliable exit opportunity for those journalists who are still living and working in Russia and contribute an invaluable amount to Russian independent journalism.

This support regarding issuing humanitarian visas, must also include the journalists’ families, as Sabīne Sīle, director at Riga Media Hub, stresses:

That was our goal from the very beginning – to provide full support to the entire family unit. […] These individuals had to move not by choice but due to their professional ties. […] It is absurd to expect a journalist to move and leave their child or spouse behind, as it incurs additional costs.

Sabīne Sīle, director of the Riga Media Hub

If you are a journalist, and you are geographically located in Russia, it is already a dangerous situation. It is somehow difficult to explain to the outside world that you are always in need of visas, […] you need some kind of urgent evacuation mechanisms, including visa, logistical, and financial support. […]

As for visas, in Germany, I know [that] the same humanitarian visas are […] not being issued anymore that easily. Imagine you have some short-term grants, your visa runs out in 3 months, you have a team you are responsible for, and you also have to answer these questions: how will you monetize your media? How will you do this or that? […] In short, any contribution to any stability is a contribution to Russian journalism, as far as visas are concerned, as far as psychological support is concerned, and as far as money is concerned. We must not forget that the main thing is the journalists who remain in Russia; we must also […] be ready to relocate them if needed.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

(6_5)

Building Networks and Alliances: Collaboration is key to resilience

Sustainable funding should facilitate the building of networks, alliances, and partnerships within the exiled Russian journalism community, as well as with international allies and local journalists. By fostering solidarity and collective action, these networks strengthen the sector’s ability to advocate for press freedom, share resources, and support one another in times of need.

The experience of exchanging with journalists and media from other countries, such as the United States, European countries, and Central Asian countries, is very relevant. […] It is very useful to exchange experiences not only within the circle of journalists and media, but also with other organizations – communicating with NGOs, charitable organizations, and successful businesses in any field. In my experience, by doing this you can find something very important to think about, transform it, implement it somehow in your work, and learn something. This is very, very important.

Journalist at Echo

Russian media in exile, in general, if you look at it objectively, is such an exciting field of cool ideas. Our media appeared after the war started, but many of those who appeared before the war have developed their own commercial models with donations and advertising. We, for example, have become a testing ground for connecting freelancers and editorial offices. The Russian media market now offers the world and other media markets a lot of technological, different, cool know-how, because nothing, not even the war could destroy this market. This market has a lot of ideas. One media has developed this storytelling model, and another one, for example, has found its model in offline events. We, Russian journalists in exile, have a lot to learn and need to learn from foreign media and journalist organizations. But they also can learn a lot from us, so it seems to me that we can give a lot of interesting things to the world, and we need to be supported for that.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

The networking events served as a support group, bringing media managers from Russia together. It reminded them that they didn’t have to see each other as competition but rather as sources of support. It helped them realize they were not alone in their struggles and that other media organizations were going through similar challenges.

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Psychological support

As elaborated in the chapter on mental health, access to psychological support is crucial. Donors should, therefore, consider providing more funds to these structures within teams and for freelancers. They should trust the journalists to find the support they need.

We rely on donors who may or may not allocate funds for psychological assistance or medical expenses.

Publisher at DOXA

When it comes to psychological counselling, it is important to find your own therapist and try different ones if needed. We encourage individuals to find someone they can trust, as it is crucial for both their well-being and the effectiveness of our team. Skipping this step can be risky, and those who do so will have a conversation with me about it.

Sabīne Sīle, director of the Riga Media Hub

Finally, in all conversations with journalists, we eventually started to talk about the Russian exile media community itself. In this publication, we aimed to combine a variety of voices. However, while there might be differing opinions on certain topics, journalists also stressed the importance of unity within the sector:

Russian media need to unite and communicate with donors on behalf of some kind of association or consortium. This association should explain why independent journalism should be supported, why this volume of support should not be reduced, what we give to the Russian audience, what we give to the world market, what we give to society, and so on. For example, how do Belarusians do it? We do not learn from them, yet they have united both in politics and the media business. Russians cannot unite in anything ever. I hear this from donors, and it is true that this is the problem. The big media think they will be given money next time if they are given money now. They do not have the impulse to unite and broadcast these messages to the general public.

CEO at Novaya Vkladka

In conclusion, the transition from emergency support to sustainable, comprehensive, inclusive and accessible funding is essential for ensuring the survival and vibrancy of exiled Russian independent journalists. By investing in and supporting the sector, donors play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of journalism and upholding democratic values in the face of adversity.

Through sustained support, we can empower exiled journalists to continue their vital work, ensuring that their voices remain strong and resilient, even in exile.

Imprint

TITLE

What It Takes to Tell the Truth. Challenges for Russian independent media in Exile

PUBLISHER

Journalists in Need Network (jinn gGmbH)

PUBLICATION DATE

June 2024

SUPPORTED BY

JX Fund with financial support from the German Government Commissioner for Media and Culture (Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien)

DESIGN & LAYOUT

Ränte

ILLUSTRATIONS

ZIP Group

SPECIAL THANKS

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the journalists and experts who generously shared their insights and experiences with us for this publication.

CONTACTS

info@jinn-media.org

What it takes to tell the truth

Contents

Editor’s note

Stories of Exile

Mission & Values

Hard Times

Mental Health

Learning from the Crisis

Dear donors

Imprint

Editor’s note

Stories of Exile

Arriving

Identity

Future: perspectives in exile

Mission​

Hard times​​

Funding

Regulatory and legal challenges

Content and audience

Resources and logistics

Work culture and ethics

Individual distress

Mental Health​

What problems do journalists in exile face?

Is there a stigma around mental health among Russian journalists in exile?

Why do journalists in exile not ask for help when they face mental health crises?

Why is it important to provide long-term, inclusive and accessible mental health support for journalists in exile?

Learning from the crisis​

Why is exile media sector sustainability vital?

Dear donors​

Accessible and Transparent Long-term Funding

Investment in Capacity Building of Exile Media

Promoting Diversity and Pluralism

Visa security, Safety and Stability

Building Networks and Alliances: Collaboration is key to resilience

Psychological support

Imprint

Mission

Hard times

Mental Health

Learning from the crisis

Dear donors