The Refugee Journalism Project: Empowering Displaced Journalists to Thrive

In an era marked by growing global conflicts and political unrest, hundreds of journalists find themselves forced into exile each year, compelled to flee their home countries to escape imprisonment, violence, or harassment. However, these journalists often aspire to continue their careers in their new locations in order to contribute their unique perspectives and skills to the media landscape. Unfortunately, numerous barriers hinder their integration, meaning many are forced to abandon their journalistic aspirations, which strips away serious potential from the new country’s journalistic ecosystem. 

"They [refugee journalists] aren’t considered the same as those already here and there’s an automatic assumption that they don’t have the right qualifications or experience," Temesghen Debesai, a former TV presenter in Eritrea who was forced to flee in 2006, said. 

Recognizing the potential of these talented individuals, The Refugee Journalism Project (RJP) has emerged as a vital initiative, supporting displaced and exiled journalists in rebuilding their careers. 

The RJP, based at the London College of Communication (part of the University of the Arts London) has been assisting journalists from diverse backgrounds since 2016. The project facilitates connections between journalists and U.K. industry, helping them update their skills, find publishing opportunities, and secure freelance or permanent roles. By offering comprehensive support and guidance, the RJP enables journalists to overcome the challenges they face when trying to establish themselves in a new country where the odds may be against them. 

"I feel privileged to live in the UK," Debesai said. "One of the best things about journalism here is having the right to speak freely without fear of the consequences, as long as it’s factually correct and accurate. I can have an opinion without worrying that someone will put me behind bars and throw away the key. There’s no better experience than that."

The positive outcomes of the RJP are evident in the success stories of its participants. Many have achieved remarkable milestones, including winning journalism awards, having their work published in national media outlets, and gaining employment at prestigious global organizations like BBC News, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and Bloomberg. Debesai, for example, went on to freelance with the Thomson Reuters Foundation before securing a position as a producer at BBC News. His experience underscores the value that refugee journalists bring to media organizations, despite the initial assumptions about their qualifications and experiences.

To extend its impact beyond individual success stories, the RJP has launched a comprehensive toolkit to guide media organizations in supporting and collaborating with forcibly displaced journalists. This resource draws on the experiences and insights of the journalists and organizations that have worked with the RJP. It addresses the most common challenges faced by refugee journalists and media outlets interacting with them, and provides practical solutions. 

Firstly, it advises journalists to reach out to specialist organizations working with refugee communities in order to be in the right place for targeted recruitment. In addition, organizations looking to hire these journalists are encouraged to conduct risk analyses for both the journalist and the organization itself, in case either party becomes a target of local or national authorities. From there, the toolkit highlights security training, comprehensive induction programs, and open dialogues about the journalist's interests and focus are also highlighted. Finally, the toolkit emphasizes the importance of sensitivity to trauma and the well-being of refugee journalists, as displacement can cause significant emotional and psychological challenges.

Through collaboration and support, the media industry can benefit from a more diverse range of perspectives, enriching journalistic practices and fostering a greater understanding of the world we live in. However, that level of work requires a conscious investment from both individuals and organizations to correctly place and sensitively welcome displaced journalists into the fold. RJP is an example that can and should be followed globally.