Migration motivations and experiences of Arab journalists in Türkiye: A mixed-methods study of Istanbul

This study examines the migration motivations, destination choices, and post-migration experiences of Arab migrant journalists working in Istanbul. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, it combines survey data from 221 journalists with semi-structured interviews with 20. Findings indicate that armed conflict, political pressure, threats, and personal safety were major migration drivers, alongside employment, education, family circumstances, and organisational relocation. Türkiye’s geographical and cultural proximity, perceived safety, media infrastructure, and professional networks shaped destination choices. However, professional continuity often coexisted with temporary legal status, limited social security, unstable employment, and uneven integration into the Turkish media field. Participants generally perceived greater freedom of expression than in their countries of origin, although this varied by subject matter, institutional affiliation, and political context. The findings suggest that Istanbul can function as a conditional media refuge, offering physical safety, professional continuity, and comparatively greater expressive space while exposing journalists to legal, economic, institutional, and political constraints.