Due to budget cuts and job loss, Afghan journalists operating abroad now face legal issues due to their visas being tied to employment or reliant on consistent financial capability.

Date: 6/25

Region: Europe & Central Asia

Country: Afghanistan

Topic: Governance & Rights

Policy Lens: Democracy & Governance

Entry Type: Secondary Effect

Additional Context: This information comes from the Internews report, "Crisis in Journalism: The Impact of the US Government Funding Cuts on Global Media" published in June 2025. The research was led by Internews Europe in close collaboration with three consortia of media development organisations brought together under the European Commission’s Thematic Framework Partnership Agreement for Human Rights and Democracy. The researchers gathered information through direct interviews and surveys with frontline media partners.

According to Internews, many Afghan media outlets operate in exile, including in the US, Türkiye, and Pakistan. These individuals may now be at risk of deportation back to Afghanistan where there is a high likelihood that they will face significant harm.

Source: Internews