An extraordinary initiative was launched three months ago in Ghana when a group of Liberian refugee journalists started publishing the "Exile News" newspaper. It is a tightly knit team that runs this newspaper: the majority of the newspaper’s staff used to work for the Liberian "New Democrat" until they were forced into exile in September 2000.

The project has been made possible by the logistical and financial support of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and is the story of how a new publication arose out of the ashes of a former one.

Charles Jackson, managing editor for "Exile News" and former managing editor of the "New Democrat" recounts how it all happened: "The ’New Democrat’ was under continuous harassment during the Taylor regime. We worked to report vigorously on the excesses of the government. We sought to promote the rule of law, respect for human rights and other basic freedoms, including freedom of expression and of the press. As such, the government viewed our work as an attempt to undermine its authority and create instability in the country."

In 1996, the offices of the newspaper were burned to the ground, and the situation for the newspaper further deteriorated after Taylor became president in 1997. "For twelve months the newspaper was denied the permit to operate," Jackson tells RAP 21.

Throughout production, the "New Democrat" relied on a printing press owned by a Lebanese merchant, who had a complete monopoly over the Liberian printing market.

In year 2000, events came to a head: "We were intimidated and harassed to the extent that we went into hiding," says Jackson. "We were finally forced to flee for fear of our lives because we found out the government were planning to arrest us on trumped-up charges."

A New Beginning in Ghana: In September 2000, seven of the newspaper’s thirteen staff arrived in Ghana. "Upon our arrival in Ghana we met with Kwami Karikari who is the executive director of the Media Foundation for West Africa. He was deeply concerned about our plight. We were faced with enormous difficulties as we had no means of earning a living, " says Jackson.

But things were to change. After three years without the possibility to exercise their profession, the "New Democrat" staff learnt that they could start producing a brand new newspaper in July 2003.

"The philosophy of ’Exile News’ is to work towards the promotion of peace and reconciliation in the West Africa sub-region, and especially in conflict prone countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Guinea," says Jackson.

The newspaper approaches issues that are highly topical for the Liberian refugee community in Ghana. For example, this month’s edition features an article appealing to the Ghanaian community to open its doors to refugees, President Charles Taylor’s letter of resignation, an appeal for peace and reconciliation by the recently selected chair of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, news of a recently formed initiative to alleviate the suffering of women refugees, and a story on a tortured Liberian journalist currently recovering in Ghana.

"Exile News" is distributed free of charge thanks to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The foundation also underwrites the cost of printing, and distribution is carried out through a partnership with the Ghanaian postal service.

"Exile News" currently appears in English on a bi-monthly basis and has an editorial staff of five: four journalists and one editorial consultant. Circulation today sits at 500, but it is yet early days for the publication, as it is finalising plans to distribute throughout the sub-region. The paper is currently read by the Liberian refugee community, diplomatic missions, international media related institutions, and international and local NGOs.

For more information or to receive a copy of the publication, contact Charles Jackson via email at: cjack104@yahoo.com