About us

Afghan Journalists In Exile Network

WHO WE ARE

Following the fall of Kabul in mid-August 2021, the situation for Afghan journalists deteriorated rapidly under Taliban rule. The regime imposed strict censorship, silencing independent media and curtailing the freedom of speech that had slowly emerged over the past two decades. With the new government tightening control, many journalists were left in grave danger due to their past reporting, particularly those who covered issues like human rights violations, corruption, and women’s rights. The Taliban’s crackdown led to the closure of 231 media outlets, while over 6,400 media professionals, including a significant number of women, lost their jobs.

For those journalists who remained in Afghanistan, working conditions became intolerable. They face daily threats, restrictions on their reporting, and a shrinking space for free expression. Many have been forced to leave their professions and take on menial jobs like shining shoes or working in restaurants, just to survive. Covering violent incidents or reporting critically on the Taliban regime is no longer an option, as doing so puts their lives at immediate risk.

Journalists who managed to escape the country face a different set of challenges. Many are living in exile, scattered across the globe, particularly in Europe and the U.S. They face uncertainty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunities to continue their journalistic work. Despite these challenges, their commitment to freedom of speech and reporting the truth remains unwavering. It is in this context that a group of exiled Afghan journalists came together to form the Afghan Journalists in Exile Network (AJEN).

AJEN was established to address the pressing need for support and solidarity among Afghan journalists both inside and outside the country. Registered officially in France on June 15, 2023, the network aims to provide a platform for exiled journalists to continue their work while offering a voice to those who are still in Afghanistan, often working in secrecy due to the risk of persecution. The creation of AJEN is critical because it fills the gap left by the collapse of independent media in Afghanistan, ensuring that the stories of the Afghan people, especially human rights abuses and the silencing of free speech, are still told.

By forming AJEN, Afghan journalists in exile have taken a crucial step towards maintaining the values of free speech and investigative journalism. The network plays an essential role in supporting their colleagues still trapped under Taliban rule and gives exiled journalists a way to continue their important work, despite the many challenges they face in their new lives.

Objectives

Support for Afghan Journalists:

AJEN is not only a platform but a lifeline for Afghan journalists in exile, especially those in Europe, the U.S., and other regions, who have been forced to flee their homeland. It provides these journalists with the tools, resources, and networks to continue their essential work of reporting on Afghanistan, despite being physically removed from the country. Through AJEN, exiled journalists remain connected to the realities on the ground, helping them expose the Taliban’s violations of human rights, press freedoms, and the persecution of vulnerable populations.

This network also fosters a strong sense of community among journalists in exile, enabling them to share resources, ideas, and collaborate on key investigations that might otherwise be impossible due to geographical distance or political constraints. By uniting Afghan journalists in exile under a shared mission, AJEN transforms individual efforts into collective action, creating a powerful voice that resists Taliban censorship and provides accurate, unfiltered reporting to the world. Additionally, AJEN offers crucial financial support to journalists still operating in Afghanistan, allowing them to continue their work in secrecy, ensuring their safety by keeping their identities anonymous and reducing the risk of Taliban retaliation. This financial aid helps maintain an active, albeit underground, journalistic presence in Afghanistan.

Collaboration with International Organizations:

AJEN strengthens its impact through strategic partnerships with global human rights organizations, international media, and advocacy groups. By working with institutions such as Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and other prominent NGOs, AJEN not only amplifies the stories of Afghan journalists but also ensures that international bodies stay informed of the deteriorating situation inside the country. AJEN’s ability to provide credible, on-the-ground reports is invaluable to organizations that need accurate information to influence global policy decisions, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic pressure on the Taliban.

Through these collaborations, AJEN acts as a crucial intermediary between Afghan journalists and the broader international community. The network ensures that journalists facing immediate threats—whether through persecution, imprisonment, or death—receive the necessary support, whether that’s legal aid, relocation assistance, or financial support to sustain their families in exile. AJEN facilitates emergency evacuations and secure transfers for journalists in imminent danger, ensuring that those under threat have a viable path to safety.

Building a Stronger Exiled Journalist Community:

AJEN is more than a professional network—it is a supportive community for Afghan journalists in exile who face the psychological, emotional, and financial burdens of displacement. The network provides a much-needed sense of solidarity and shared purpose for journalists struggling with the loss of home, career, and identity. Many exiled journalists feel isolated, disconnected from their previous lives, and uncertain about how to continue their work in unfamiliar environments. AJEN bridges that gap, offering a space where journalists can rebuild their professional lives, reconnect with their peers, and continue their mission to uphold press freedom.

AJEN facilitates collaboration between journalists in exile by organizing joint investigative projects, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. This not only enhances the quality of reporting on Afghanistan but also strengthens the bonds among journalists, creating a resilient and united front against the forces of repression. Through AJEN, exiled journalists find common ground, exchange expertise, and support one another in navigating the challenges of exile.

Advocacy for Press Freedom and Human Rights:

At its core, AJEN is committed to defending the principles of press freedom and human rights, both within Afghanistan and globally. By amplifying the stories of Afghan journalists, AJEN ensures that the plight of those living under Taliban rule remains visible on the international stage. The network collaborates with global media outlets and advocacy organizations to raise awareness of the violations occurring in Afghanistan, ensuring that the international community maintains pressure on the Taliban and holds the regime accountable.

AJEN also serves as a voice for those who cannot speak freely in Afghanistan, particularly women, ethnic minorities, and journalists who face immediate danger. By advocating for their rights and amplifying their stories, AJEN keeps the global spotlight on Afghanistan’s human rights crisis, ensuring that the struggle for freedom of speech and press freedom does not fade from public attention.

In uniting Afghan journalists in exile, AJEN is not only preserving the integrity of independent journalism but also ensuring that the stories of Afghanistan’s people continue to be told. Together, exiled journalists form a collective force that transcends borders, standing in solidarity with those still risking their lives to report the truth. Through AJEN, Afghan journalists—both at home and abroad—remain connected, protected, and empowered to carry on their fight for freedom.

Activities

The Afghan Journalists in Exile Network (AJEN) engages in a wide range of activities aimed at supporting Afghan journalists both within Afghanistan and in exile, preserving press freedom, and ensuring that the world remains informed about the situation under Taliban rule. Below is a detailed overview of AJEN’s core activities:

Reporting and Storytelling

AJEN acts as a platform for Afghan journalists to publish stories that are censored or ignored within Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s strict media controls. Our network provides a safe avenue for these journalists to continue reporting on critical issues, such as human rights violations, women’s rights, and the Taliban’s abuses of power.

Financial and Logistical Support for Afghan Journalists

Many Afghan journalists, particularly those who remain inside Afghanistan, continue to face immense financial hardship and life-threatening conditions. AJEN provides direct support to help these journalists continue their work, even in hiding.

Advocacy and International Engagement

AJEN actively collaborates with international organizations, advocacy groups, and media watchdogs to amplify the voices of Afghan journalists and keep global attention on Afghanistan’s deteriorating press freedom.

Emergency Evacuations and Legal Aid

AJEN is committed to protecting the lives of Afghan journalists who are at immediate risk due to their work or past affiliations. We provide vital assistance to those in danger, ensuring they can find safety outside of Afghanistan.

Training, Workshops, and Capacity Building

As many Afghan journalists find themselves displaced, they face the challenge of adapting to new media environments. AJEN offers ongoing training and capacity-building workshops to help exiled journalists rebuild their careers and enhance their skills.

Mental Health and Psychological Support

Exiled journalists often experience severe trauma, both from their experiences in Afghanistan and from the challenges of displacement. AJEN recognizes the need for mental health support as part of its holistic approach to helping Afghan journalists.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Raising global awareness about the plight of Afghan journalists is a key activity for AJEN. Through public campaigns, social media outreach, and international media partnerships, we ensure that the voices of Afghan journalists are heard worldwide.

Collaborative Investigative Projects

One of AJEN’s core missions is to unite Afghan journalists in exile to collaborate on important investigative journalism projects. These collaborations often focus on exposing the Taliban’s crimes, human rights abuses, and the socio-political crises in Afghanistan.

Through these activities, AJEN is committed to sustaining the fight for press freedom, supporting Afghan journalists in their professional and personal struggles, and ensuring that the world does not forget about the critical situation unfolding in Afghanistan. AJEN believes that even in exile, Afghan journalists can continue to play a crucial role in exposing the truth and standing against tyranny.

WHO WE ARE

Objectives

Activities

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