The Berlin Exile Hub Program is dedicated to exiled journalists in Berlin, who have relocated here as a result of the risks involved in working in their own countries. The city has emerged as a key hub for the global exiled media community, where journalists can continue working for previous publishers, secure temporary positions in German or exiled media, or launch new, independent media projects. Such media freelancers still rely on support for access to production resources, legal advice, visa extensions, and more. On top of this, the exile media ecosystem extends to creative industries such as theater, cinema, art, literature, and IT, and other interdisciplinary projects.
In 2022, MiCT supported 105 journalists and media professionals from Russia and Belarus by providing language courses, psychological support, housing assistance, and integration seminars. By 2023, our community had grown to approximately 300 members.
The Hub assists journalists with all bureaucratic necessities upon their arrival in Germany. We offer participants accommodation in Berlin for the first few months and, where needed, arrange psychosocial support for those requiring health stabilization. We aim to create a viable environment for refugee journalists to continue their journalistic endeavors while in exile. A needs-based mentoring program, training, and partnerships enable continuous work in Berlin. Networking with editorial offices and media professionals in and outside of Germany is a key component of professional integration.
These community activities occur both offline and online. Our moderated online community facilitates constant exchanges on employment, vacancies, scholarships, events, fundraising, and other topics. Regular public events are held at MiCT ROOF, including the notable "Fridays under the Roof" series with prominent guests like European Parliament member Sergey Lagodinsky, writer Vladimir Kaminer, opposition media owner Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and blogger Maxim Katz. Larger conferences by journalists from Afghanistan and Hungary, and many journalistic exhibitions have also taken place here. These events aim to increase the visibility of our community and to foster connections with the international exile scene.
MiCT also runs a co-working space with a podcast studio and video editing suite, serving as an essential "Safe Space" in Berlin for the Berlin-exile community.
