Our Mission
Mainstream media rarely covers the 120+ million forcibly displaced people worldwide. When it does, we are reduced to numbers in a headline.
The Displaced Times exists to change that. We produce rigorous, ground-level journalism from inside the communities the world overlooks — refugee settlements, conflict zones, and marginalized regions. Our reporters don't parachute in. They live there.
Where We Started
Founded in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settlements in northwestern Kenya — home to over 250,000 refugees from 20+ countries. What began as a small newsroom run by displaced journalists is now a growing network with a mandate to scale across East Africa and beyond.
We are co-owned by Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) — the community structures that displaced people build themselves. Our editorial and operational independence is non-negotiable.
How We're Structured
The Displaced Times is co-owned by a council of Refugee-Led Organizations. No single entity controls the newsroom or operations.
Each RLO on the council represents a distinct community or function — education, livelihoods, health, youth empowerment, women's rights, or technology. Together they provide governance, editorial oversight, and accountability to the displaced communities we serve.
This structure ensures that editorial decisions are made by the people closest to the stories — not by donors, governments, or distant headquarters.
Governance Model
Co-ownership by Refugee-Led Organizations
The governing body. Each seat is held by a Refugee-Led Organization with equal voting power. The council sets editorial policy, approves budgets, and holds the newsroom accountable.
RLO Seat
Technology & talent
RLO Seat
Education
RLO Seat
Livelihoods
RLO Seat
Community seats open
The Newsroom
Reporters, editors, and producers — most of whom are displaced people themselves — operate with full editorial independence. The council governs policy. The newsroom decides what to publish.
Open Invitation
Is your RLO ready to co-own independent media?
We are actively inviting Refugee-Led Organizations to join the council. Read what membership looks like — the role, the expectations, and the commitment — before you apply.
Learn About the CouncilWhat We Do
Three commitments drive everything we build.
Frontline Reporting
News and investigations from refugee settlements, conflict zones, and marginalized communities — reported by people who live there. No filters. No distance.
Capacity Building
We train displaced people in digital journalism, media production, and software development — turning consumers of news into producers of it.
Global Reach
We bring ground-level truth to a worldwide audience — ensuring that the voices of the displaced are heard in the rooms where decisions are made.
Our Values
Truth without compromise
We report facts as they are, not as anyone wants them to be. No government, donor, or organization dictates our coverage.
Dignity first
Every person has a right to have their story told with respect. We reject exploitation, sensationalism, and poverty porn.
Owned by the community
We are not outsiders covering "their" stories. We are the displaced, covering our own. Our ownership model ensures accountability to the communities we serve.
Stay Informed
The most important stories from the frontlines, delivered weekly.