The survival of exiled Russian media hangs in the balance, and Europe's response is crucial. But is it doing enough? A new report by the JX Fund reveals a dire situation for these media outlets, which serve as a vital bulwark against foreign influence and disinformation.
The past year has been a tumultuous one for Russian media in exile, primarily due to abrupt aid cuts from the US and the Kremlin's tightening grip on digital censorship. These outlets, however, have demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing to provide diverse and reliable information to millions of Russians. But their struggle is far from over.
The report highlights a significant decline in funding, with exiled Russian media experiencing budget cuts of up to 30% compared to 2024. This crisis has led to increased competition, impacted intermediary media organizations, and caused widespread discouragement. Many newsrooms have had to make tough choices, including staff layoffs and project delays. Yet, some have found creative solutions, such as the radio station Ekho, which diversified its revenue through paid events.
2026 could be even more challenging, as the full impact of reduced support is yet to be realized. The report warns of potential sector-wide consolidation and further difficulties for newsrooms relying on fluctuating one-off funding.
Despite these challenges, Russian media in exile remains a critical alternative to the Kremlin's narrative. Approximately 63 newsrooms outside Russia provide nuanced analyses and diverse formats, targeting various audiences. These outlets have adapted their information-gathering methods, using anonymous correspondents and alert systems to stay connected to the ground reality. They've also enhanced audience engagement through innovative formats, interactivity, and humor, resulting in substantial online community growth across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
However, a sense of disengagement is creeping in, attributed to news fatigue and pessimism. In response, these media outlets are diversifying content, focusing on investigations, and reaching out to the Russian diaspora, currently a small portion of their audience.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, has intensified its crackdown, with a new law criminalizing the viewing of non-state-controlled content and promoting VPNs. The definitions of 'extremism' and 'terrorism' have been expanded to further target journalism. The 'foreign agent' law remains a significant tool of repression, with a third of those labeled as such being media professionals. Additionally, the MAX messaging service launched in 2025 has bolstered the Kremlin's control over the information space in Russia and occupied territories in Ukraine.
The 2026 Russian budget allocates a record amount for state media, emphasizing propaganda. This funding is nearly 50 times more than the combined budgets of exiled Russian outlets, according to the 2024 JX Fund report.
Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a double-edged sword. While it offers optimization and automation for Russian newsrooms in exile, it also poses a threat as the Kremlin integrates AI into its surveillance and censorship systems. Journalists are cautiously developing secure AI solutions to counter this potential danger.
RSF is actively supporting Russian journalists and exiled media through various initiatives, including the Assistance Office and the JX Fund, as well as helping them circumvent censorship through operations like CollateralFreedom and the Svoboda satellite package.
The question remains: Is Europe doing enough to support these exiled media outlets, which are so crucial in the fight against disinformation?
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