A Program Born from an Urgent Need

Informing the public is never a neutral act. For exiled journalists, it is often an act of courage and sometimes even a condition for survival. Forced to flee their countries due to conflict, authoritarian regimes, or political pressure, hundreds of journalists each year find themselves deprived of their professional environment, their networks, and sometimes their voice.

It was in response to this urgency that Canal France International (CFI), SINGA, Maison des journalistes, and Reporters Without Borders joined forces within a consortium, with the support of French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Together, they launched Voix en Exil, a program designed to enable exiled journalists in France to rebuild their lives, strengthen their skills, and continue practicing their profession safely.

31 Journalists, One Year of Collective Work

Since its launch, two cohorts bringing together 31 journalists from 13 countries have benefited from tailored support: socio-professional guidance, mentoring, editorial, technical and digital training, as well as meetings with media outlets and journalism professionals in France.

More than a training program, Voix en Exil is a space for renewal, where each participant can regain confidence and creative momentum in order to continue telling the world’s stories with freedom and rigor.

Journeys, Stories, and Perspectives

During the anniversary evening, three journalists took the floor to share their journeys and the impact of the program:

• Rodly Saintiné, a Haitian journalist, founder of a journalism school in his home country, now wishes to continue in France his podcast dedicated to exile. 
• Halima Karimi, an Afghan journalist, continues her investigative work despite the threats weighing on colleagues who remain in Afghanistan. 
• Simon, a Kurdish political refugee and filmmaker, is developing audiovisual projects highlighting the voices of Kurdish women.

All shared the same observation: Voix en Exil helps break isolation, strengthen skills, and become part of a supportive peer network facing similar realities.

A New Cohort, New Voices

The program continues its commitment today with a third cohort of 14 journalists from Afghanistan, Egypt, Haiti, Libya, Syria, Togo, Turkey, and Yemen.

So many journeys, perspectives, and narratives that contribute to the vitality of journalism and to democratic health.

The mission remains unchanged: to protect, support, and elevate those who keep free information alive, despite exile and adversity.

Keeping Free Journalism Alive

Voix en Exil is celebrating its first year, but the road ahead remains long. The voices it supports play a crucial role in the vitality of information and the strength of our democracies.

For those involved, Voix en Exil is more than a program. It is a professional framework, a network, and the possibility to continue practicing journalism with dignity. A concrete way to defend freedom of information, today and in the years to come.