GIJC25 opens in Kuala Lumpur with a call for radical collaboration
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 22 November 2025 | JP Global Monitoring Desk
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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.
KEY POINTS:
- GIJC25 opened in Kuala Lumpur on November 21 with a keynote by Maria Ressa
- Ressa urged journalists to counter authoritarian threats through radical collaboration
- She warned that key freedoms could be lost within a year without collective action
- The conference gathers global investigative reporters to strengthen cross-border cooperation
- Ressa emphasized the importance of shared strategies and mutual support in journalism
