"Thousands of men and women of diverse nationalities regularly flee persecution, leaving everything behind them from one day to the next, escaping from countries ravaged by war or dictatorship. All of them have suffered persecution because of their religion, nationality, membership of a social or ethnic group or their political opinions. Hundreds of journalists are among this group, an average of six each month becoming refugees, or displaced, driven by the instinct for survival to flee their country of origin for their own safety. These journalists pay a high price for speaking out freely. They go into exile to avoid further arrest, brutal scoresettling or unfair sentencing to long years in prison. This guidelines for exiled journalists has been produced to accompany, familiarise and inform them through this difficult process. Sadly, it cannot ease the pain of dislocation and exhaustion. But thet will provide them with invaluable help, the practical assistance required to take the necessary steps to start their new lives. This manual is not exhaustive. It does not set out to provide complete and tailor-made legal information. Rules governing immigration are complex and vary from one country to another, and often depend on the specific case of the asylum-seeker. This handbook is designed to describe the main steps and procedures for the exile, while pointing up the difficulties and obstacles. These few pages do not moreover provide a formula for obtaining refugee status. Protection of new arrivals remains a sovereign decision of states, some of whom scorn or get round international law. Reporters Without Borders’ work in this area can only have as much impact as government and bodies responsible for asylum will allow." (Foreword, page 1)