Mkini to co-host Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2025

The 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC25) will be held in Kuala Lumpur next year with the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) partnering with Malaysiakini as a local co-host.

GIJC is the world’s largest international gathering of investigative reporters and editors. GIJC25, expected to be held in the fourth quarter of 2025, will be its 14th edition.

The conference dates and venue in Malaysia will be announced later this year.

The conference features training on the latest investigative tools and techniques, cutting-edge workshops, and extensive networking and brainstorming sessions.

This is the first time GIJN will be organising its Global Conference in Asia. It has previously organised successful regional conferences on the Asian continent, including in Manila (2014), Kathmandu (2016), and Seoul (2018).

GIJN board chair Brant Houston said it is extremely pleased to hold a full Global Conference in Asia with Malaysiakini that will attract journalists from around the world.

“It is crucial to our global mission that we work with our colleagues in Malaysia to offer training and skills that will be key to investigative reporting in an era that presents so many serious challenges to the practice of journalism.”

Malaysiakini delighted to host

Malaysiakini is an independent online news outlet created in 1999 that has been recognised locally and internationally for its contributions to the media landscape, commitment to press freedom, and in-depth reporting.

Its co-founder Premesh Chandran said investigative journalism has exposed corruption and abuse of power, leading to dramatic changes in Malaysia.

“For the past 25 years, Malaysiakini’s reporting speaks truth to power, and we are delighted to host the world’s largest journalism community sharing the same journey.

“Malaysia is very multicultural, we welcome everyone to stay a little longer and explore!”

GIJN executive director Emilia Díaz-Struck said it was honoured to partner with Malaysiakini and excited to have its first Global Conference in Asia.

“We are looking forward to facilitating the knowledge sharing and networking between journalists from around the world at our 2025 global gathering in Malaysia.

“As part of GIJN's mission to strengthen the capacity of investigative journalists worldwide, GIJC25 will continue our Global Conference tradition to focus on practical, and advanced reporting techniques - shared by brave reporters who have doggedly exposed corruption and abuses of power.

“It will also be a great occasion to celebrate a community that keeps holding powers to account, despite the increasing threats journalists are facing.”

Biennal event

GIJN is particularly pleased to bring GIJC25 to Malaysia as an earlier planned regional conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2020 had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Previous GIJCs have been held in 10 countries, including Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Norway, South Africa, and Ukraine.

The gatherings are held every two years. The most recent GIJC, co-hosted in 2023 with the Fojo Media Institute and Föreningen Grävande Journalister in Sweden, brought together a record number of participants: more than 2,100 attendees from over 130 countries and territories.

As in previous years, GIJC25 will feature a robust fellowship programme to bring journalists from the global south and other regions to the conference.

GIJC values and supports diversity in journalism and welcomes participants regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, or disability.

GIJN plans to provide a safe and supportive environment for all its members and participants at GIJC25; if there are specific concerns or questions, email [email protected].

GIJN will also be holding calls to canvas feedback on any issues and to address any concerns.

Donors and co-sponsors who want to support this high-impact event can contact the organisers at the same email address.

Subscribe to GIJN’s bulletin to get the latest updates on registration, fellowships, call for session proposals, and more.

MALAYSIAKINI is a GIJN member. Its editorial policies and decisions remain in the full control of its editors and journalists who are committed to holding those in power to account and to deliver the news and views that matter.

GIJN serves as the international hub for the world’s investigative reporters, with 250 member nonprofits in 91 countries. Its staff works in a dozen languages daily, giving watchdog reporters the tools, technology, and training to go after abuses of power and lack of accountability.