The House of Journalists is a governmental association launched in 1901. Chaired by Christian Auboyneau (journalist), it welcomes refugee journalists that have fled their home countries and are asking asylum in France. The organization helps them through all the stages of their asylum process and gives them the means to express themselves freely on the Internet via the webpage www.loeildelexile.com.
Darline Cothière, the director of the House of Journalists, summarizes the objectives of the association: "MDJ is a place unique in the world that welcomes men and women of different nationalities, cultures and paths. Beyond this diversity, all these journalists share the experience of exile and repression. The MDJ helps them to rebuild and to continue their mobilization in favour of freedom of expression and of the press”.
The City of Paris has always supported the “Maison des Journalists” (Foreign Journalists’ House), an association that welcomes foreign journalists who are persecuted in their country of origin. The MDJ offers a temporary place of residents and it is a landmark of defence and promotion of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech, or of the press. In addition to legal and administrative support, French language courses are organized to enable refugee journalists to adapt their skills and achieve a French diploma.
In 13 years, MDJ has hosted over 300 journalists from 60 different countries. Moreover, in 2011, the City of Paris became a member of the International Cities of Refugee Network (ICORN), whose General Assembly was held in Mach, this network of cities aims to establish freedom through creativity, helping writers and artists who are victims of censorship in their country.
