Journalists who flee with fear as their only baggage

At least 139 journalists were force to flee abroad in 2013 because of threats prompted by their work. Syria, Eritrea, Iran and Somalia are high on the list of countries that journalists fled from.

As today is World Refugee Day, Reporters Without Borders would like to reiterate its concern for the dozens of journalists who flee their country every year in search of safety.

A joint release today by Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Rory Peck Trust condemns the inadequacy of the current international mechanisms for protecting refugee journalists and recommends measures that the international community should take to address the problem.

RWB is also issuing a report on its direct support activities in 2013 and an overview of assistance in the first half of 2014, which has continued to be marked by the consequences of the terrible conflict in Syria.

At least 173 professional and citizen journalists have fled Syria since the start of the conflict in March 2011 – around 50 of them since the start of 2014. In response to this continuing exodus, Reporters Without Borders has produced an Arabic-language version of its Handbook for journalists who flee abroad.

It has 30 pages of advice for refugee journalists about UNHCR protection procedures and seeking asylum in Europe and North America. Journalists who have had to flee their country will find information, tips and contacts that will help to guide and assist them during the long and difficult process of starting a new life.

Find all this information and video interviews with Eritrean, Iranian, Syrian and Sri Lankan journalists who have fled abroad at 20june.rsf.org.