Exiled Journalist Communities in Germany

A mapping of different exiled journalists communities in Germany.

“We need to struggle for our freedom. […] Growing levels of authoritarianism and rising instability is leading to a fragile situation throughout the world. […] We need to think outside our narrow communities. We need to work together as a community of global resistance to protect our freedoms against the oppressors.”

As the number of autocratic and dictatorial regimes around the world grows, Turkish journalist Can Dündar, who lives in Germany, puts it succinctly: if we are to defend media freedom, we not only need courageous journalists, but also more cooperation in broadening alliances, including exile media.

Dündar’s words sum up the core concern of the Exile Media Forum, the largest conference on exile journalism in Germany, which Körber-Stiftung will host for the sixth time in 2024. Once a year, we invite more than 100 media professionals in exile and representatives from politics and NGOs to Hamburg to discuss the possibilities for exile journalism, to share experiences and to network.

Over the last few years, we have presented many studies and surveys with the aim of developing a better understanding of the challenges faced by journalists in exile. For example, we published a study on the integration of journalists in exile into the German media industry (2019) and on support organizations in Europe (2022). This year’s study focuses on the situation and challenges faced by individual communities of exiled journalists in Germany. This study does not claim to be exhaustive, as the data is not representative. However, it shows trends and developments, highlights differences between the exile communities and provides insights into how the situation of exiled journalists in Germany could be improved.

We would like to thank Professor Dr. Hanan Badr of the University of Salzburg, who conducted the study on our behalf and who provided valuable input. We hope this report proves to be an informative read, and we look forward to receiving your feedback and comments.

Best regards,


Sven Tetzlaff
Head of Department Democracy and Cohesion


Sonja Wimschulte
Program Director Exile

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