‘Were we too reasonable?’ How a group of residents tried to break through the polarisation surrounding the arrival of an asylum seekers’ centre
In The Hague, plans for a large reception centre for asylum seekers caused a divide. A group of supporters decided to engage in dialogue with local residents. Read more→
A Syrian Kurd without an identity: a Syrian for just seven months, and 46 years searching for a homeland
I was born in Al-Hasakah in 1980, a Kurd on land that should have been my homeland. But for thirty-one years of my life, I was a stranger in my own country. The special census carried out by the Syrian regime in 1962 in the province of Al-Hasakah stripped tens of thousands of Kurds, including my family, of their Syrian nationality. […] Read more→
‘Veendam 1894 has given me a home and a family’
The home ground of football club VV Wildervank, in Veendam, Groningen, is buzzing with excitement following a 1–0 victory over rivals Veendam 1894. Around 1,500 fans had watched as the derby was decided by a header from striker Lourens Huizing. After the match, winners and losers mingle amicably – most of the players from both teams have lived in Veendam all their lives. That is not the case for Basiru Jallow. The 20-year-old Gambian arrived in Veendam two years ago as an asylum seeker. Read more→
Why oil wealth cannot prevent famine in Yemen
Although Yemen could have been a wealthy oil and gas-producing country, its people are among the poorest in the world. Oil and gas production has plummeted since the start of the civil war in 2014. And whatever revenue remains is siphoned off by corrupt networks. Read more→
Housing crisis calls for solutions, not scapegoats
Esther Muwombi witnessed how sentiment changed in the Netherlands. It is incorrect, unnecessary and dangerous to blame asylum seekers and status holders for the housing crisis, the journalist, who fled from Uganda, said. Read more→
Kurdish cinema grows beyond the diaspora
From 8 to 10 May, the Amsterdam Kurdish Film Festival at Het Ketelhuis was a meeting place for filmmakers and film lovers. The fifth edition revolved around films, music and conversations around culture, identity and the growing visibility of Kurdish cinema. Read more→
On both sides of the border bank, the same song sounds
How does it feel to grow up at a crossroads of borders? "The region is like an apple cut in two halves," writes Afghan journalist Saadat Mousavi in his poetic essay on life on the banks of the Amu Darya River. Read more→
From Belarus to the AZC boat
A boat full of lives on pause floats in Haarlem. Journalist Fanuel Hailemariam captures the raw voices of people who left everything behind, now waiting for a new existence. Read more→
Forgotten victims: the fate of stray animals in Syria
Near the citadel of Aleppo, Rama Murae rescues sick and abused stray animals. “Unfortunately, people don't accept cats or dogs in their residential areas,” he says.” Read more→
Rashwan supports Ali: ‘As long as he is here, we feel safe’
As a social worker, Rashwan has been helping newcomers in Wassenaar for years. For Ali and his family, he is more than a volunteer. He is a guide, a friend and someone who is always there for them. Ali: "Your presence is a comfort." Read more→
‘Every time a door closes for us, we look for another’
Women's lives in Afghanistan are hugely restricted. Yet some have the resilience to find new ways to give meaning to their existence. Like Arya (24), who joined a group of young writers meeting in secret. Read more→
‘Therapy in your own language gives hope’
Ali Jawad (37) is from Lebanon and now lives in Amsterdam. Mental health is crucial for him. Without proper care, you lose your grip on life, he says. Now he helps others and urges people to vote. Read more→
I want to cast my vote - but how do I prepare?
Municipalities have an important role in the Netherlands. For example, they determine where houses can be built and how you can get benefits. The municipality of Amsterdam is also divided into several city districts and the city district Weesp. These city districts and the city area Weesp decide on things like the maintenance of parks and the layout of streets. Read more→
‘We can be part of the solution rather than the problem’
Abdulkadir Osman (25) came to the Netherlands from Somalia four years ago and has been residing in Amsterdam ever since. His path from the asylum reception centre to stable housing in the city reflects two of the main themes of the Amsterdam municipal elections on 18 March 2026: housing and integration of newcomers. Read more→
‘Work is like oxygen - without it you lose your health’
Seare Tafere (63) is from Ethiopia and has recently been living in Amsterdam. He received his residence status in 2025, when he stayed in the Netherlands for over two years. Since then, he has been looking for work, which he considers a basic necessity of life. Read more→
‘They say I can clean in a supermarket. But I'm an engineer’
Jephias Mundawaro (60) is a professional engineer from Zimbabwe and former university lecturer. But despite his many attempts, he cannot harness his knowledge here. Read more→
About RFG Media
RFG Media, formerly RFG Magazine, was founded in 2017. Since then, more than 170 refugee journalists have joined us. We are convinced that our journalists, with their unique experience, perspective and knowledge, can make a valuable contribution to the Dutch media.
That is why RFG Media wants to help these new journalists carve out a place for themselves in the Dutch media landscape. We do this by providing training, organising networking events and running our mentoring programmes.
But above all, we work with our participants to create extraordinary journalistic stories.
In the Spotlight
Saadat attended the ceremony at which the Helen de Montigny Prize was awarded to the Dutch journalist and documentary-maker Thomas Erdbrink. Erdbrink made *Our Man with the Taliban*, a documentary series about the lives of ordinary Afghans under Taliban rule. ‘What extraordinary people.’
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria is building a new state. The question is what role women will play in it: they played a significant role during the revolution, but so far they are scarcely represented in the new political institutions.
The stories Ramy Weiss (33) from Syria heard about finding work in the Netherlands were sometimes discouraging. Yet he has now found a job as an engineer. The same profession he had in Syria. “As a refugee, you are just as qualified for work as someone from Europe,” he says.”
The Afghan influencer Jamil Qadery has been living in Belgium for years, but is an outspoken supporter of the Taliban. On social media, he glorifies the regime, attacks its opponents and downplays the oppression in Afghanistan. He also maintains close contacts with high-ranking Taliban officials.
Our creators
We form a very diverse network of professionals from all parts of the world. We have seasoned war reporters, investigative journalists, essayists, film and literature reviewers, as well as photographers, documentary makers, radio makers and podcasters.
The journalists in our network come from all over the world, from Afghanistan to South Sudan and from Colombia to Ukraine. What they have in common is that they have experienced first-hand what it means to work in countries where the free press is restricted.
What they also share is a huge motivation to continue their profession in the Netherlands.
