The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) is delighted to announce the receipt of €300,000 in funding from the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media (BKM). The funding comes as part of a €2.3 million support package from BKM aimed at strengthening journalists’ rights, promoting a diverse media landscape, highlighting the importance of quality journalism, and supporting media workers in exile. We also want to express our gratitude to the Free State of Saxony for their continued support in the form of third-party funding.
With these funds, ECPMF will initiate a new project titled “Perspektiven im Exil – von und für Medienschaffende” (“Opportunities in Exile – By and for media professionals”). The project will operate in three strands to bolster ECPMF’s existing work to support journalists who have been forced to leave their home country and continue working in exile in Germany. The three strands are:
- Flexible support for journalists in exile looking to continue their work, to participate in the German media landscape, and to develop future prospects;
- The ECPMF Journalists-in-Residence programme which provides temporary relocation and shelter for journalists who are facing threats as a direct result of their work;
- The Support for Supporters Working Group, an ECPMF-led group developed by and for supporters of exiled and/or threatened media professionals which creates a space to exchange ideas about the special challenges they face in the context of their work.
ECPMF is extremely grateful for the support from BKM. The funding will make a significant impact to the organisation’s work to strengthen support mechanisms for exiled journalists in Europe. Katrin Schatz, Project Manager – Practical Support at ECPMF, said:
“We know that working in exile is incredibly difficult for any journalist, and that each challenge they face is unique to their own situation. However, we also know that their work reminds autocratic and oppressive regimes that despite their best efforts at expelling critical reporting, they can never silence journalism across borders. That is why we continue to support journalists in exile and why this funding from BKM is so valuable.”
This newly acquired funding from BKM will allow more journalists to continue working after being forced to flee their home country
Implementation of the BKM-funded project is set to begin in early 2023, with initial coordination of the project commencing in the coming months.
