GIJC25 opens in Kuala Lumpur with a call for radical collaboration

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 November 2025 |  JP Global Monitoring Desk

The 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference commenced in Kuala Lumpur on November 21. Nobel laureate Maria Ressa called for unity among journalists to combat rising authoritarianism and protect press freedoms.

Summary

KUALA LUMPUR — The 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference opened in Kuala Lumpur on November 21 with Nobel laureate Maria Ressa urging journalists worldwide to confront rising authoritarianism, shrinking newsroom resources, and growing attacks on independent media through what she called radical collaboration. Speaking at the conference’s keynote session, Ressa described the global press freedom climate as increasingly fragile, warning that key democratic freedoms could erode within a year without collective action and stronger cross-border support.

Growing concerns over press freedom

Ressa said authoritarian-style tactics, legal pressure, disinformation, and economic strain were converging to weaken journalism at a dangerous moment. She called on newsrooms, independent reporters, and civil society partners to share expertise, pool resources, and strengthen investigative networks to resist political and financial pressures.

A call for global solidarity

The conference, hosted by the Global Investigative Journalism Network, brings together reporters, editors, and media trainers from around the world. Ressa emphasized that shared strategies and mutual support will be crucial to maintaining watchdog reporting as threats intensify across regions.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on information from the Global Investigative Journalism Network.