Our mission at the Guardian Foundation is to support access to liberal media, especially for people from underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds. Often their voices are not heard, so when journalists from displaced backgrounds come to this country, it is vital we create channels for them to share their stories. Their experiences enrich the journalism of any news outlet. They help represent society in its entirety, improve the quality of content and fulfil the goals of journalism.

We create spaces for displaced journalists by facilitating for them to share their stories across multiple platforms. We also develop projects which support this and provide tools, training and access to media environments. We aim to help individuals find work experience or support them in gaining a Master’s in journalism.

Just understanding the culture of a different country is a challenge. For instance, learning how to communicate with someone if they do not respond as you expect, and knowing how to behave as a result. These obstacles are heightened when English is not your first language. Additionally, it is harder to continue to pitch relentlessly, hoping to get a story commissioned, when you also have to earn an income and support yourself.

The key factor to improving the situation around representation for displaced journalists is to make newsrooms more accessible. This could include having open calls or being more receptive to working with freelance journalists from an unfamiliar background. Secondly, it is difficult but crucial for media organisations to reflect on how their existing systems and workplace culture can be a barrier to people, even if unconsciously. For instance, many media spaces are still entirely dominated by people from specific backgrounds, further alienating certain groups including displaced journalists.