Miami (March 31, 2024) – The Ibero-American Colloquium of Digital Journalism held during the International Symposium on Online Journalism (ISOJ) in Austin, at the University of Texas, provided an ideal platform to highlight the work of the Latin American Network of Journalism in Exile (RELPEX).
This initiative of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), which was launced official in Costa Rica at the end of January, aims to strengthen quality journalism among reporters who have been forced to flee their countries due to political persecution, violence, or censorship.
The IAPA Executive Director Carlos Lauría introduced the project before journalists from Latin America gathered at the Colloquium—a space that annually fosters dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of digital journalism in the Ibero-American world.
"Journalism in exile has become the last line of defense against the information blackout imposed by authoritarian regimes. Despite displacement, these journalists continue doing their work challenging censorship and silence," said Lauría.
RELPEX began operations in October 2024 and currently includes nearly 200 members, mostly from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, and Ecuador. Many now reside in countries such as Costa Rica, the United States, and Spain.
However, only one-third continue working regularly with a media outlet, another third contribute sporadically, and the remainder have had to abandon journalism to survive in their host countries. "The persecution against independent journalism in recent years has worsened this crisis. It is essential to ensure these voices are not silenced and that independent journalism continues to support our democracies," Lauría added.
As part of the Colloquium, an emotional panel featured Nicaraguan journalists in exile, who shared powerful testimony about the systematic persecution, repression, and censorship carried out by the regime of Daniel Ortega. These exiled journalists not only shared their personal stories but also reaffirmed their commitment to continue reporting despite the enormous professional and personal challenges they face.
RELPEX is made possible thanks to seed funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and operates collaboratively with organizations such as DW Akademie, UNESCO, the Institute for Press and Freedom of Expression (IPLEX), the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Vita Activa, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), among others.
Among its key initiatives is an employability program, through which 10 exiled journalists have already been hired by media outlets in their host countries. In partnership with DW Akademie, the network also runs a reporting project called "Telling Exile," focused on producing journalism from the perspective of forced displacement.
Additional RELPEX programs include emergency financial aid, legal assistance, online training sessions, and scholarships for 13 journalists to participate in this year's diploma program from the Latin American Council for Journalism Education Accreditation (CLAEP). Moreover, thanks to a partnership with Vita Activa, the network offers specialized psychosocial support to members and their families, recognizing the profound emotional toll of forced exile.
The network is coordinated by Salvadoran journalist Mariana Belloso, project manager for at-risk media at IAPA. Those interested in joining RELPEX can register through this form.
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.
