The pain of journalists living in exile

These journalists came from 36 countries, including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Afghanistan, Liberia, Rwanda, Gambia and Iran, the CPJ's Journalism Assistance Programme said, adding that 60% were from African countries, where porous borders and harsh press freedom conditions contribute to a steady exodus of journalists.

However, media analyst Denis Kayenge Kinkufi disputes the CPJ's figures, saying that the exact number is far higher because many of those who fled have not been, for one way or another, surveyed and monitored by the CPJ.

He told Bizcommunity.com: “In certain countries, every freethinking journalist is seen as a suspect by government officials, cops, immigration, security and intelligence services.

“As a result, journalists who flee do so clandestinely, making sure they travel as teachers or business people for instance, to avoid being detected, questioned and maybe arrested.

“10 times more”

“And on arrival in the host country, many prefer not to declare their profession, which definitely puts them out of the CPJ's survey. So, the number could be 10 times more because many journalists are really going through hard times nowadays,” Kinkufi added.

This year, as of 24 September 2007, 140 journalists and support staff – including 23 in Africa – have been killed, according to the International News Safety Institute (INSI).

Furthermore, the CPJ cited US, UK, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Botswana as major host countries for exiled journalists.

A month-long investigation by Bizcommunity.com reveals that there could be more at least 50 exiled journalists currently living in SA, with the bulk coming from Zimbabwe and DRC, and the rest from the Central African Republic, Angola, Malawi, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt, Somalia, Guinea, Mali and others.

Most of those interviewed said that they were seeking for tolerant, free, non-violent and democratic working environments, as things are really bad at home.

Struggle continues

But, in reality the struggle continues…

The CPJ said: “Most of those are living in extreme poverty, and some have been harassed by police who routinely shake them down, threatening to send them to refugee camps or report them to officials in their home countries.”

Unlike in Britain, where organisations such as the Exiled Journalists Network helps exiled journalists to settle and ease their exile's woes, in SA they are directionless and scattered all over, mostly in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, sleeping rough and wondering where their next meal will come from.

Some have taken ‘menial' jobs – car guards, gardeners, hawkers and farmworkers – just to survive.

Kinkufi said that obstacles facing exiled journalists range from language barriers (French, Spanish and Portuguese speakers may struggle to find work in English-speaking countries, and vice versa) to lack of proper channels of integration, lack of resources and xenophobia.

Call to set up funds

He called on host governments, NGOs and churches to set up funds and mechanisms to help journalists fleeing their home countries.

“Exiled politicians who committed serious human rights violations in their home countries such as Haiti's Aristide, Ethiopia's Mengistu and Peru's Alberto Fujimori, to name only a few, have been welcomed with open arms and given royal treatment; why not do the same to innocent journalists who are only suffering because they told their truth?” he asked.