22 January 2025

The IAPA and Vita Activa Join Forces to Provide Emotional and Psychological Support to Journalists

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Miami (January 22, 2025) – The Inter-American Network of Journalism in Exile (RELPEX, for its Spanish acronym), a program of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) that supports journalists displaced or exiled due to threats in their home countries, is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with Vita Activa. This organization provides psychological and digital first aid, crisis management, and strategic decision-making guidance to mitigate the effects of physical and digital violence, trauma, and chronic burnout.

RELPEX operates with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and in collaboration with institutions such as DW Akademie, IPLEX, UNESCO, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and CONNECTAS, among others.

The network was established in response to the increasing problem of journalists in exile and displacement in the Americas, exacerbated by the rise of anti-democratic regimes. The IAPA has prioritized this issue, working intensively through its Subcommittee on Journalism in Exile, chaired by Juan Lorenzo Holmann, General Manager of La Prensa in Nicaragua (shut down by Daniel Ortega's regime but continuing operations online from abroad).

In recent years, the APA has documented a steady rise in the number of journalists forced into exile from countries such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, Guatemala, Cuba, and Ecuador. Many others have been compelled to relocate within their own countries, as seen in Mexico and Colombia.

Vita Activa, on the other hand, is a safe, confidential, and free space operating through encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, offering emotional and psychological support. Its team consists of journalists, communicators, psychologists, and humanitarian workers from Latin America, all trained and deeply committed to crisis management and empathetic listening.

The synergy between RELPEX and Vita Activa will expand the reach of both initiatives, offering emotional support to exiled journalists, particularly during moments of crisis or vulnerability. Their secure and confidential spaces are designed to help journalists process the emotional impact of forced displacement and threats to their professional work. Additionally, they provide access to training networks and resources to strengthen their ability to continue practicing journalism in adverse conditions. Special attention is given to women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

This partnership reinforces the commitment of RELPEX and Vita Activa to defending human rights, freedom of expression, and the well-being of those facing the most challenging circumstances in their professional work.

For those seeking Vita Activa's support, reach them at [email protected] (Spanish) and [email protected] (English), on social media @VitaActivaOrg (FB/TW/IG/LinkedIn/BlueSky/TikTok), or via messages at +52155-8171-1117 (WhatsApp, Signal).

Journalists experiencing exile, mobility, or forced displacement who wish to join RELPEX can do so via this link. For more information, contact Carlos Lauría, IAPA Executive Director, at [email protected], or Mariana Belloso, RELPEX Coordinator, at [email protected].


The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.

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