Hannah Arendt Initiative
Welcome to our webpage in easy-to-read language.
For many people, easy-to-read language is easier to understand.
We protect journalists in distress – in many countries.
We also help other people who work in media.
Media can mean different things, for example:
- Newspapers
- Internet
- Radio
- TV
In an initiative,
different people or groups work together.
We work with 4 organizations.
Some countries are especially dangerous for journalists.
For example, Ukraine.
In Ukraine, there is a war.
Russia and many countries across the world are also very dangerous for journalists.
There, journalists are not allowed to report truthfully
about the problems in the country.
Journalists are only allowed to write
what the government likes.
Maybe a journalist is courageous
and writes truthfully about the problems.
Then, bad things can happen to the journalist:
- The journalist is threatened.
- The journalist is taken to court.
- The journalist is put in prison.
- The journalist is killed.
Sometimes, the journalists die in a war zone.
Or the journalists are hurt while doing their work.
Journalists should be able to work in safety anywhere.
So that all people get independent news.
That is why we support journalists in many countries.
For example, with money and counseling.
The German Federal Government helps us fund our work.
Here you can find out more about us
We have written down the answers
to many of the questions from our visitors.
You can find them in our list of questions and answers.
Just click on a question.
Then you can read the answer.
We help journalists in danger.
Journalists write texts for a newspaper
or for the internet.
Other journalists work in radio or TV.
We call this: The people work in media.
We also protect people
who work with journalists.
For example:
- Photographers
- People who record the videos
- People who record the sound
Journalists in dangerous areas often:
- cannot write about unlawful behaviour
of the government - cannot talk about problems in their country
The journalists are often spied on.
For example, the journalists are eavesdropped on.
And the journalists are monitored.
The journalists could be threatened or abused.
The families of these people are also threatened.
Other things that can happen to critical journalists:
- Wrong and evil things are said about these people.
- These people are beaten.
- These people are put in prison.
- These people are kidnapped.
- These people are killed.
We also help journalists in war zones.
For example, in Ukraine.
The journalists there report directly from a war zone.
This is very dangerous.
Because the journalists are in areas
where people fight each other.
The journalists could be hurt or even killed.
We help in many ways.
Here you can find a list of the things we do:
Fellowships
Through a fellowship, a person gets money
for a certain time.
The person does not have to pay back that money.
Many people can only do their work
if they get a fellowship.
Training and courses
We offer many different courses.
For example, safety trainings
and further professional training.
In these trainings people learn for example:
- This is how I report from a war zone
as safely as possible.
And this is how I protect my life during work. - This is how I protect myself from being monitored.
For example, from eavesdropping on phone calls.
Or, this is how I protect the data on my computer.
Support from our mentors
A mentor coaches and advises a person.
The mentor works with that person
for a certain time.
Our mentors are very experienced.
Technical devices
Sometimes, the devices of journalists are destroyed.
Then, we replace the devices.
For example, a computer or a camera.
Counseling
We advise on many questions.
For example, on legal questions after fleeing the country.
Our counseling can be in person.
Or the counseling is on the telephone or by email.
Help in emergencies
Sometimes, we support journalists who are leaving
a dangerous country.
When journalists must go into exile.
Exile means people leave their country.
These people go to another country.
The other country is safer.
We also help these people find new housing
in the country of exile.
Health care
We offer health check-ups.
Many journalists in war zones
have experienced horrible things.
These people can talk about their experiences
in our self-help groups.
And these people can meet with a therapist a couple of times.
Safe Spaces
The journalists should be able to work in safety.
Even when they are in exile.
In a few countries, we give
these people safe office spaces.
There, these people can do their work safely.
Exchange with other journalists
We help the journalists get to know each other.
The journalists can meet in our spaces.
The journalists can share their experiences.
The journalists can also work together.
Research and publications
We inform the public about the problems
of journalists in crisis regions.
For example, on our website.
We also do research.
To do that, we collect info from journalists.
For example, we did research on:
What assistance do journalists in crisis regions need?
Journalists should be able to work in safety.
At home or in another safe country.
That is why we help journalists in danger.
For example, we help journalists leave a dangerous country.
The journalists should be able to report truthfully
about their country of origin.
And the citizens in the country of origin can read the texts.
That way, the citizens are better informed
about their country.
These 4 organizations work together:
DW Akademie
DW Akademie belongs to Deutsche Welle.
DW Akademie trains journalists all over the world.
DW Akademie stands up for free media.
As part of the initiative,
DW Akademie helps journalists in exile
in Eastern Europe or in Central America.
Here you can find more info on DW Akademie:
DW Akademie
This website is written in difficult language.
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
This organization was founded in Leipzig.
This organization stands up for freedom of the press.
For our initiative, ECPMF has made a program.
The program helps journalists in Ukraine.
Here, you can find more info on ECPMF:
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
This website is written in difficult language.
JX Fund
As part of our initiative, the JX Fund supports
media companies in exile.
For example, media companies from Russia or Afghanistan.
The JX Fund helps:
- So that the media companies can continue working
in a foreign country. - And so that the media companies can make money
and pay their staff.
Here you can find more info on the JX Fund:
JX Fund – European Fund for Journalism in Exile
This website is written in difficult language.
MiCT
MiCT is an abbreviation for:
Media in Cooperation and Transition.
As part of our initiative, this organization helps journalists
in many countries of the world.
For example, with trainings and fellowships.
Also with safe spaces in some countries.
Here you can find more info on MiCT:
Media in Cooperation and Transition
This website is written in difficult language.