- On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) launched the International Advisory Council of the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers, a pro bono, non-governing advisory body. The Council brings together senior international experts in press freedom, journalists’ safety, media resilience, media development and international cooperation. It will serve as a strategic sounding board for NUJU and help connect the needs of Ukrainian journalists and independent media with international expertise, professional solidarity and appropriate forms of support.
- International Advisory Council of the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers published a joint appeal calling on governments, international institutions, media organisations, journalists’ unions and donors to treat the safety and sustainability of Ukrainian journalism as an urgent, long-term commitment. As autumn approaches, Ukrainian journalists are preparing to enter a fifth winter of full-scale war. Security threats continue to evolve, while the international support that underpins vital safety and resilience infrastructure is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) released a new report titled: Release into Exile: The Expulsion of Imprisoned Journalists from Belarus. Securing the release of journalists imprisoned for their professional activities is a matter of fundamental importance. However, recent practice has shown that this process does not always serve the interests of the detainees themselves — particularly when it is conditioned on their forced expulsion from Belarus. This report scrutinises the practice of forcibly expelling journalists and bloggers following their release from detention in Belarus, assesses the legality of these actions under national and international law, and exposes the challenges they are forced to confront in exile.
EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDIA WORKERS
- Registration is now open for the 8th annual Exile Media Forum, taking place on 13–14 October 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. The Forum brings together exile journalists, media professionals, policymakers and civil society representatives to discuss the current challenges facing exile journalism, share best practices, and build connections with colleagues from exile media outlets. The Exile Media Forum is part of the Hamburg Week of Press Freedom, an initiative of Körber-Stiftung and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius.
- The Tech Policy Press is accepting applications for its 2027 Fellowship, a year-long, part-time opportunity for mid-career journalists, researchers, lawyers, and public policy professionals working at the intersection of technology and democracy. Fellows will receive a 10,000 USD stipend, editorial guidance, opportunities for international peer exchange, and support to develop independent reporting or policy analysis on urgent and underreported technology-policy issues. The fellowship is open internationally and particularly welcomes applicants from the Global Majority and communities underrepresented in media. The application deadline is 24 September.
- The Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany has opened a new call under its programme “Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia.” The programme supports civil society cooperation projects involving at least one organisation from Germany and one partner from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine or Russia; organisations operating in temporary exile in the region may also participate. Projects can focus on areas including independent media and resilience to disinformation, human rights and democratic values, democratic transformation, participation of marginalised groups and regional dialogue. The application deadline is 15 September.
- The Support and Assistance for Free Expression (SAFE) project offers training grants to independent media from the Eastern Partnership region (EaP). These grants fund training programmes that enhance journalistic reporting and resilience, helping independent media outlets continue their work safely and sustainably under high-risk conditions. The application deadline is 30 September.
- On 13 October, The Pushkin House (London, UK) will host a talk: The Price of Truth: Nobel Laureate Dmitry Muratov in Conversation with Patrick Forbes. The event will be conducted in Russian and English, with simultaneous interpretation provided, and will be followed by Q&A.