In the current geopolitical context, journalists whose voices are vital to the dissemination of reliable information are increasingly having to flee their countries in the face of threats. Launched on September 20 in Paris, the Voices in Exile project helps them continue to work in complete safety.
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” Journalists are the antidotes to malice, foreign interference and disinformation “, recalled Antoine Bernard, director of advocacy and assistance for Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday, September 20, who accompanied 250 refugee journalists in France these last three years.
For several months, RSF and the consortium that brings together Canal France International (CFI), a subsidiary of the France Médias Monde group to which RFI belongs, the organization for the inclusion of migrants in the labor market Singa and the Maison des journalistes (MDJ) have been working on the Voix en exil program. The latter aims to support exiled journalists who have had to flee their country and was presented to the press on September 20.
” The idea is that they continue to do their job, that they continue to inform safely from their host country. “, adds Darline Cothière, general director of the Maison des journalistes.
For three years, the project, entirely funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to the tune of 2.8 million euros, will support four classes of 18 journalists on a professional level, but also socially with housing, administrative and psychosocial assistance.
” We must not forget that these are people who, for the most part, have suffered significant trauma as a result of being uprooted, adds Darline Cothière. These are people who have been persecuted in their country on the basis of their profession, because they had covered sensitive subjects. More than ever, the profession of journalism is in danger. Given the geopolitical situation and the conflicts that currently exist, we see that it is not now that things are going to get better. »
They will all be hosted in a reception residence in Île-de-France and will participate in a media incubator at the Gaité Lyrique, a venue in the heart of Paris.
The voices of the ” speechless »
Egyptian freelance journalist Solafa Magdy is part of this first class. Arriving in France almost three years ago, this former political prisoner was forced to leave her country because of her work on human rights, minorities, but also the forced disappearances of peaceful defenders of journalism. Enough for her to be described as ” terrorist ” for the Egyptian regime.
Ranked 170 out of 180 in the world press freedom index, Egypt remains one of the world’s biggest prisons for journalists. In Egyptthere is no room for freedom of expression or human rights defenders. Today, we still have to fight for basic rights “, laments Solafa Magdy. As a political refugee, it is impossible for her to return to her country of origin, even if she hopes to be able to do so one day.
Very enthusiastic about participating in Voices in Exile, she wants to use this tool to create a video broadcasting platform to talk about migrants and political refugees from ” the right way “.
Although the journalists are of Afghan, Syrian or Iranian origin and have different life paths, they are all committed to continuing their work and their fight for freedom of expression.
This is also the case of Abdoulaye Oumou Sow. Originally from Guineathis independent journalist, blogger and communications manager for the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC) – a civil society movement that fights for democracy and human rights and freedoms – has been forced into exile for more than two years. After spending more than four months in hiding in his country, because he was actively wanted, he first went into exile in Senegalbefore arriving in France in 2023.
” In Guinea, freedom of the press has been mistreated for more than two years, regrets Abdoulaye Oumou Sow. I am aware that we will have to fight even harder for the citizen journalist to exist. Our voice is essential, becauseshe is increasingly muzzled. »
Like Solafa Magdy, Abdoulaye Oumou Sow would not have left his country if he had had the choice. He dreams of a democratic Guinea, where everyone could express their opinion without fear of reprisals: ” Although in exile, I will fight for this Guinea to exist, as quickly as possible, so that I can return there. » With the support of Voix en exil, the Guinean reporter plans to launch a citizen radio station and hopes to be able to build a network of journalists in exile.
The fight for press freedom around the world is far from won. According to a report published in December 2023 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 521 media professionals were behind bars last year, compared to 569 in 2022. A decrease in this number can be explained in particular by the fact that countries such as Iran and Turkey practice repeated imprisonment.
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