Schedule

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. The conference is a chance to learn from the best in the business — winners of the Pulitzer Prize and other top awards, pioneers of data journalism, and fearless investigators who have exposed corruption and abuses of power almost everywhere. 

Here’s a look at the schedule. We’ve integrated more than 400 pitches and proposals, as well as what past attendees have told us they most valued. You’ll find more than 100 workshops, expert panels, networking sessions, and special events — with more than 300 speakers from around the world. This is not the final program, there are more sessions and speakers to come. And the timings of panels may be subject to changes.

Sunday November 23

3:00pm
Data

No-Code Guide to Using Python

KLCC Level 3 - Room 303
In an era where data drives impactful storytelling, Python offers powerful analysis and visualization capabilities. This workshop demonstrates how AI tools like ChatGPT make coding approachable, empowering journalists to create data-driven stories independently. Designed for journalists without coding experience, the session starts with Python fundamentals and AI coding basics, as participants engage in hands-on Jupyter Notebook exercises. NOTE: Participants are encouraged to have Python (with Jupyter Notebook) installed on their devices and a ChatGPT account set up before attending. While familiarity with Python is helpful, it’s not required.
3:00pm
General

Editorial Leadership Best Practices for Cross-Border Collaborations

KLCC Level 3 - Conference Hall 1
Cross-border collaborative journalism can uncover stories that individual newsrooms cannot tackle alone. However, the success of these ambitious projects often hinges on skilled editorial leadership that can navigate complex logistical, cultural, and professional challenges. This panel brings together veteran editors who have led successful cross-border investigations to discuss their insights on team building, project management, and the editorial decision-making processes that transform individual reporting into powerful collective storytelling.
3:00pm
General

Project Management Best Practices for Leading Investigations

KLCC Level 4 - Room 403
Successfully managing an investigative team requires keeping "50 plates in the air at the same time and still smile," per panel speaker Coco Gubbels, author of "GIJN's Guide to Project Management in Investigative Journalism." In this practical workshop, Gubbels guides participants through the complete lifecycle of investigative projects: from initial planning and team assembly to monitoring progress and project closure. Attendees learn essential leadership competencies including managing team dynamics, crisis communication, risk assessment, and dealing with cultural differences.
3:00pm
Networking

GIJN Women Networking

KLCC Level 4 - Room 402
Meet other women from the investigative journalism community, get inspired, discuss challenges, build networks, and share resources and ideas. This networking session is an informal gathering and a chance to meet your colleagues and talk about how we can help each other. So relax, enjoy yourself, share your ideas, and come ready to brainstorm and collaborate. GIJN Women is a group created by the Global Investigative Journalism Network to discuss issues related to the work of women and non-binary investigative journalists. The group was formally created in Hamburg in 2019 and it currently has hundreds of members from around the world. You can apply to join us here: https://groups.io/g/GIJNwomen/. All sessions are first come, first served. Be aware that some sessions are in relatively small rooms and they will fill up quickly.
3:00pm
Networking

Networking: German

KLCC Level 4 - Room 401
Our networking sessions are just that: informal meet-ups where you can introduce yourself, talk about your work, brainstorm, and find colleagues to collaborate with. Here is a chance to meet colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere and help strengthen German-speaking investigative networks. All sessions are first come, first served. Be aware that some sessions are in relatively small rooms and they will fill up quickly.
3:00pm
Nonprofit & New Models

Writing A Grant Proposal

KLCC Level 4 - Room 410
Effective grant writing is crucial for nonprofit media sustainability, but the process often overwhelms busy newsrooms. This practical workshop teaches efficient strategies for identifying appropriate funding opportunities, crafting compelling narratives, and meeting funder requirements without consuming excessive time. Learn to align organizational strengths with funder priorities, develop reusable proposal templates, and avoid common pitfalls that waste effort. 
3:30pm
Documentaries

Storytelling - Strategies to Develop Video Investigations

KLCC -
Visual storytelling transforms complex investigations into compelling narratives that reach broader audiences. This panel features veteran video journalists sharing techniques for translating document-heavy investigations into engaging visual stories. Learn how to effectively use graphics, animations, and cinematography to explain financial crimes, data patterns, and corruption schemes. Discover strategies for maintaining journalistic rigor while creating accessible content that holds viewers' attention and drives impact.
4:30pm
General

Exposing Online Influence and Manipulation Operations

KLCC Level 3 - Conference Hall 1
Social media anonymity and generative AI have amplified manipulation campaigns, threatening democracies and elections worldwide. These sophisticated operations deploy fabricated content to impose false narratives on public discourse. Exposing the architects behind such campaigns requires combining digital forensics with traditional reporting techniques. Expert panelists share tips on dismantling influence operations and tracing anonymous actors, while providing practical tools for investigating similar manipulation campaigns in diverse contexts.
4:30pm
Data

Analyzing Digital Evidence And Making Connections

KLCC Level 3 - Room 305
You've collected whois records, social media activity, online behavior, metadata, shared analytics, or ad IDs. But how do you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each indicator to establish connections and draw conclusions? This workshop draws on approaches used by open source practitioners, intelligence analysts, and lawyers to provide investigators with easy to implement strategies for weighing and analyzing digital evidence.
4:30pm
Data

Building an AI Assistant for Investigative Journalists

KLCC Level 3 - Room 302
In this workshop, journalists will learn how to build their own customized AI research assistants to strengthen their daily newsgathering and investigative projects. Participants discover how to use large language models to help check sources and analyze information through multi-step processes. Journalists will work with the latest no-code AI software to build applications. During the workshop, each participant will develop a user interface for their personal research assistant, gaining practical skills to integrate AI tools into their journalism workflow.
4:30pm
Data

Tools to Investigate Telegram

KLCC Level 3 - Room 303
Telegram has emerged as a global information platform, a key reporting tool for tracking conflicts and breaking news — and also a favorite communication channel for malicious actors involved in disinformation, corruption, and organized crime. In this practical workshop — no programming expertise required — veteran investigative journalists share user-friendly tools and methods for scraping Telegram data, investigating public channels, collecting and archiving messages, and transcribing video content.
4:30pm
Data

Using Data for Local Investigations

KLCC Level 4 - Room 405
Local investigations don't always count on massive newsroom resources — impactful stories hide in accessible public records and community statistics. This hands-on workshop demonstrates how to uncover corruption, inefficiency, and misconduct in your own backyard using simple tools and publicly available information. Two experienced data instructors guide participants through practical exercises using local budgets, court records, and government databases to reveal patterns that expose local accountability failures and generate compelling investigative stories.
4:30pm
Human Rights

Documenting War Crimes through Photojournalism

KLCC Level 4 - Room 404
Drawing on work from over 25 conflicts — including images used at The Hague to help indict and convict war criminals — Ron Haviv shares how investigative photojournalism uncovers truth, demands accountability, and shapes history. Participants will explore case studies from concept to execution, gaining practical skills and a clear understanding of the ethical responsibilities behind visual evidence to document war crimes.
Speakers
4:30pm
Networking

Networking: Cross-Border Projects

KLCC Level 4 - Room 401
Our networking sessions are just that: informal meet-ups where you can introduce yourself, talk about your work, brainstorm, and find colleagues to collaborate with. Here is a chance to meet other journalists from around the world who are seeking partners for transnational reporting in a relaxed atmosphere. All sessions are first come, first served. Be aware that some sessions are in relatively small rooms and they will fill up quickly.
4:30pm
Networking

Networking: Russian

KLCC Level 4 - Room 403
Our networking sessions are just that: informal meet-ups where you can introduce yourself, talk about your work, brainstorm, and find colleagues to collaborate with. Here is a chance to meet Russian-speaking colleagues from around the world in a relaxed atmosphere and help strengthen investigative networks across Eurasia. All sessions are first come, first served. Be aware that some sessions are in relatively small rooms and they will fill up quickly.
4:30pm
Networking

Networking: Southeast Asia

KLCC Level 4 - Room 402
Our networking sessions are just that: informal meet-ups where you can introduce yourself, talk about your work, brainstorm, and find colleagues to collaborate with. Here is a chance to meet colleagues from across Southeast Asia in a relaxed atmosphere and help strengthen the region's investigative networks. All sessions are first come, first served. That means people who arrive first will get seats. Be aware that some sessions are in relatively small rooms and they will fill up quickly.
4:30pm
Safety & Security

Balancing Risks During an Investigation

KLCC Level 3 - Room 304
Investigative journalism involves navigating complex threats — from digital surveillance to physical retaliation and legal intimidation. This hands-on workshop teaches participants how to conduct comprehensive risk assessments, implement security protocols, and protect sources while maintaining journalistic integrity. Attendees learn to identify vulnerabilities, develop personalized security measures, and balance story pursuit with safety considerations in high-stakes reporting environments.
4:30pm
Tech

Collaborating to Fight Electoral Disinformation Campaigns

KLCC Level 3 - Room 306
Disinformation campaigns have undermined elections and voter trust in democratic institutions across the world. But innovative collaboration is emerging as one of the most effective responses to this plague. This globally-relevant panel highlights challenges in India, Venezuela, and Ghana, as experts will describe powerful projects that have exposed campaign bad actors and revealed emerging disinformation tactics, and also share successful digital tools and collaborative techniques.

Monday November 24

9:15am
Data

VLOOKUP: How This Function Can Supercharge Data Investigations

KLCC Level 4 - Room 402
How powerful can a spreadsheet function be to warrant its own dedicated workshop? In this hands-on session, discover why VLOOKUP is the essential function for navigating large datasets and uncovering significant patterns in investigative work. Learn advanced techniques for cross-referencing data sources, identifying discrepancies, and building comprehensive analyses that reveal hidden connections.
9:15am
General

Global Shining Light Awards Winners

KLCC Level 4 - Room 406
The Global Shining Light Award (GSLA) honors investigative journalism in developing or transitioning countries, done under threat, duress, or in the direst of conditions. These winners came from among hundreds of submissions and their intrepid work exposed abuses across a wide range of topics. In this panel, the GSLA winners announced at GIJC25's gala dinner will explain how they pursued their award-winning investigations.
10:45am
Data

Data Visualization Using Flourish

KLCC Level 4 - Room 401
Flourish is one of the most popular visualization tools today. It offers easy-to-use and rich visualization methods, especially for newsrooms engaged in data journalism. In this session, attendees learn Flourish's data visualization library and how to make basic types of charts, projection maps, heat maps, and hierarchy maps. Case studies are also included. Those who want to practice during the panel can create an account here: https://app.flourish.studio/login. You can access the datasets in the presentation or you can download the datasets from this GitHub page: https://github.com/pinardag.
Speakers
10:45am
Data

Tips and Tricks to Work with Spreadsheets in your Investigations (Excel)

KLCC Level 4 - Room 402
The ability to expose abuse and oppression through data-driven investigations is deeply meaningful — and it all starts with spreadsheets. This hands-on workshop reveals advanced Excel techniques for uncovering hidden information in your datasets. Master Excel's classic secrets and robust statistical functions that turn raw information into compelling evidence.
12:00pm
Special Events

Closing Event: GIJC27 & Beyond

KLCC Level 4 - Room 410
Join GIJC25 organizers — GIJN and Malaysiakini — and the newly announced GIJC27 co-hosts for an informal and lively farewell. Celebrate key highlights from the conference with us and get a preview of what's ahead for GIJC27.
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Co-hosts

GIJN Logo
Malaysiakini