Afghan Journalists Stress Lifeline of Safe Refuge Media Freedom Coalition

January 15, 2025 – Afghanistan – 

The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) recently spotlighted the critical role of safe refuge in enabling Afghan journalists to continue their work under threat. In a featured case study, two Afghan reporters shared how escaping Taliban-controlled Afghanistan saved their lives—and preserved their ability to document injustice back home.

Both correspondents emphasized that while exile is emotionally wrenching—marked by separation from family and the trauma of displacement—it is vital for survival and professional continuity. From their new bases, they have maintained coverage of human rights abuses, women’s suppression, and civilian targeting, ensuring Afghan stories reach international audiences.

The MFC Annual Report 2024 highlights “Providing Safe Refuge to Journalists at Risk” as a priority. In response, member states have improved emergency visa systems, offered residence permits, and created networks of safe houses. These efforts align with recommendations from the MFC’s High-Level Panel on Media Freedom, which also advocates for consistent funding, legal safeguards, and mental-health support for exiled journalists.

These interventions empower exiled Afghan journalists to continue critical reporting. New media platforms like Amu TV (broadcasting from Virginia) and “The Afghan Times” (founded by Salma Niazi in Pakistan) reflect this resilience. They demonstrate that relocated journalists are filling the domestic news void created by Taliban suppression, reaching millions inside and outside Afghanistan.

Amid escalating Taliban persecutions—which, according to UN figures, include at least 256 journalist detentions since 2021 —swift and comprehensive safe refuge is not just humanitarian: it’s strategic. It enables journalism to survive authoritarian repression while pressuring host countries and the international community to uphold the fundamental principles of free expression and democratic accountability.

Successful refugee programs for Afghans highlight the importance of continued diplomatic commitment, sustained funding, and tailored protection to ensure that silenced voices are not lost—and that truth continues to cross borders despite the walls of repression.

Reference – 

Afghan journalists explain how safe refuge helps them highlight injustice in their homeland