Program

Photo by Edvin Lundqvist at GIJC23.

Get ready for an extraordinary event. This is our 14th global conference and we expect over 1,500 journalists from over 100 countries and territories. We’re crafting a world-class program to go with it.

The conference will host over 150 state-of-the-art sessions, with expert panels, cutting-edge workshops, and the best networking in the business.

We’ll cover online search techniques, best practices for cross-border collaboration, and exiled media tips and tools. We’ll be hosting top journalists who have developed innovative uses of technology to hold powers to account, and others who have worked in environments with press freedom limitations and developed techniques to continue investigating while maintaining high standards and reducing risks. There will be experts on satellites, artificial intelligence, and other investigative journalism techniques.

You’ll find special tracks on climate change, the threat to democracy, crime and corruption, human rights, teaching and training, and sustainability strategies — plus the latest on security, media law, and dealing with stress and burnout. We will also include sessions with experts who have worked on engaging ways of presenting journalistic investigations in various formats.

As always, we’ll feature the world’s best data journalists and researchers, offering hands-on workshops, and advice. The data track will range from basic spreadsheets to sophisticated coding, visualization, and analysis. The GIJC has trained three generations of data journalists, and the best is yet to come.

And then there’s the networking. Ask a journalist who’s been to a GIJC about their favorite part, and they’re likely to say it’s the people — those chance encounters in the hallways, at the elevators, in the bars. Imagine what it’s like to have more than 1,500 journalists from 100 countries and territories brainstorming about how to get data, documents, and the truth. That’s the GIJC. We are planning networking sessions — by language, region and topic — to collaborate and brainstorm in a relaxed setting.

Send Us Your Session Idea for GIJC25!

Send Us Your Session Idea for GIJC25!

The 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC25) is scheduled for this November 20-24 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the world-class Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The conference will be co-hosted by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and Malaysiakini.

In the spirit of creating the best conference for investigative journalists, we are now welcoming great ideas for sessions at GIJC25. Have an exciting proposal in mind? Fill in this form by December 20, 2024.

A few things to keep in mind: 

GIJCs are training conferences, with a laser-like focus on investigative tools and techniques. We want conference sessions that are skills-based, so that journalists from around the world leave with new knowledge and know-how. 

Here’s what we don’t want: No “war stories” about how great your past stories were. No policy discussions. And the sessions need to be balanced, by gender and geography. 

We have three main types of sessions: 

  • Panels (usually with three speakers and a moderator)
  • Workshops (smaller practical, hands-on sessions taught by one or two trainers)
  • Networking Sessions (informal meet-ups based on language, region, or topic)

For examples of past successful sessions, refer to our programs for GIJC13, GIJC15, GIJC17, GIJC19, GIJC21 and GIJC23.

GIJN will have a committee of experts evaluate the proposals through a competitive process. Please note that we might adjust or combine proposals according to the needs of the program. As a guide to developing your session proposal, we recommend that you refer to our evaluation criteria below and make sure that your session is:

Investigative-focused
GIJCs are training conferences for journalists worldwide who want to dig deeper and ask tougher questions. The conference is a chance to learn from the best in the business — winners of the Pulitzer Prize and other top investigative awards, pioneers of data journalism, and fearless investigators who have exposed corruption and abuses of power almost everywhere. What profile should the speakers have? We’re looking for top-notch, senior reporters who are first-rate in their field. We also welcome younger journalists doing exceptional work. The speaker’s work needs to be investigative.

Educational
Proposals should be based on subject matter – we prioritize what others can learn and take away from the panels and workshops. Our conference sessions focus on reporting strategies, tips, tools, resources, and valuable reflections that can empower reporters and inspire new lines for investigation. Please think of what others will be able to take away and implement for their own investigations when attending your session.

Original
We value topics we haven’t touched on before, or new perspectives and innovative investigative methods into recurring issues. We are also interested in new tools and technology that advance the work of journalists. 

Diverse
Proposed panels need to be inclusive, and we encourage you to think of diversity in each idea you present. Please include speakers from different backgrounds, genders, countries and organizations (freelancers are also welcome). Please aim to have only one representative per organization on each panel. 

The Global Investigative Journalism Conference is the world’s largest international gathering of investigative journalists. Here’s your opportunity to help shape the conference and make it a memorable event. Thanks in advance for your contributions, and see you in Kuala Lumpur!

Note: The working language of the conference is English, so the proposed speakers should understand and speak English. Please submit all ideas in English.

Fill out this form to recommend ideas for panels, workshops, or speakers.

Co-hosts

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Malaysiakini