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

10:45am
Environment
KLCC Level 3 - Room 306
Crimes committed out on the ocean are notoriously difficult to investigate, yet urgent to expose. Illegal fishing alone generates $23 billion annually — the world's third-largest illicit trade after drugs and arms. Massive extractive industries operate with impunity, rapidly destroying marine ecosystems. This panel offers satellite analysis, vessel tracking, and supply chain reporting tips, as well as step-by-step approaches for tracking illegal activities, identifying perpetrators, and building compelling stories about crimes that happen far from public view.
10:45am
Safety & Security
KLCC Level 3 - Room 304
In an era of increasing digital surveillance and authoritarian crackdowns on press freedom, journalists face unprecedented risks when crossing borders, covering protests, or working in conflict zones. The search and seizure of electronic devices has become a primary tool for intimidation, source exposure, and censorship. Through real-life case studies and hands-on scenarios, this session will offer preventative measures, response protocols during seizure, and demystify what happens to seized devices: how they're unlocked, searched, what data is extracted, and potential worst-case scenarios.
1:30pm
Crime & Corruption
KLCC Level 4 - Room 405
Illegal online gambling generates low-risk revenue for organized crime, a growing channel for money laundering, brazen local government corruption — and yet it remains undercovered by watchdog journalists. Notable trends include the recruitment of intermediaries for money–hiding “mule accounts,” and a boom in illicit betting networks in Asia. In this techniques-focused panel, journalists will share expert tips on how to track the bets, the networks, and the harms, including useful tools, datasets, and source pathways.All sessions are first-come, first-serve. 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.
1:30pm
Data
KLCC Level 3 - Room 303
Writing Python scripts to extract data from PDFs is always a challenge: misshapen tables, arbitrary form formatting, tiny text or low-quality scanned texts. This session introduces attendees to Natural PDF, a new Python library for wrangling data that's focused on usability and cramming in as many features as possible, allowing you to write your code just like you'd ask "real-language" questions. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of how to extract data from difficult (and simple) PDFs using Python, and is best for those with at least beginner-level knowledge of Python.
1:30pm
Data
KLCC Level 3 - Room 302
Data journalism is transforming investigative reporting, offering powerful methodologies for uncovering hidden stories. This workshop explores both established and cutting-edge tools that enable journalists to access, analyze, and visualize complex datasets. Learn to enhance your storytelling with compelling data narratives and master techniques that turn raw numbers into impactful investigations that resonate with audiences.
1:30pm
Data
KLCC Level 4 - Room 410
Discover how to harness NotebookLM's powerful video analysis capabilities for investigative journalism. This practical workshop demonstrates how to process extensive video content, identify key patterns, establish meaningful connections across multiple sources, and extract actionable insights for your investigations. Learn to efficiently analyze hours of footage, transcribe content, and uncover hidden narratives that traditional manual review might miss.
1:30pm
Environment
KLCC Level 3 - Conference Hall 1
Chinese infrastructure investments and supply chains in mining, fishing, and manufacturing span the world. But investigating their environmental impact, labor practices, and corruption is increasingly challenging. China's restricted press freedom, growing data opacity, and new laws limiting external access to investment information create significant reporting barriers. This session brings together journalists who have successfully investigated Chinese economic links in their regions, offering practical tools, methodologies, and alternative data sources. The focus is on presenting actionable techniques for remote investigation.
1:30pm
General
KLCC Level 4 - Room 403
ProPublica (USA) and CORRECTIV (Germany) have pioneered crowdsourcing investigations, developing innovative techniques that transform audiences from passive consumers into active participants in accountability journalism. This session shares proven strategies, helpful tools, and lessons learned from successful crowdsourced projects. Participants will also learn practical newsroom strategies for leveraging audiences to enhance investigations, build community trust, and amplify impact while avoiding common pitfalls.
1:30pm
General
KLCC Level 3 - Room 306
The current US administration's tariff regime, immigration policies, travel restrictions, and military operations are creating global ripple effects, so watchdog journalists need tools to track Washington's influence worldwide. This essential workshop guides international journalists through US governmental data, revealing funding, programs, and activities, as well as teaches you how to navigate databases showing federal expenditures, diplomatic initiatives, and policy implementations affecting local contexts and regions.
1:30pm
Tech
KLCC Level 3 - Conference Hall 2
While AI can pose challenges, it has helped journalists to work with large data troves and find hidden patterns - and its tools are available to both large and small newsrooms. In this practical panel that draws on powerful investigative projects, data experts show how AI tools can be leveraged to comb through everything from court records to images and political speeches to help uncover stories of public interest.
3:00pm
Crime & Corruption
KLCC Level 3 - Room 304
Oligarchs use vast wealth and political connections to shield corrupt business empires from scrutiny. This panel features reporters who have successfully penetrated these powerful networks despite legal threats and intimidation. Learn methodologies for tracing shell companies, identifying beneficial ownership, and mapping political relationships. Speakers share techniques for investigating hidden assets, following international money trails, and building bulletproof cases against well-protected targets while managing personal and legal risks.
3:00pm
Data
KLCC Level 3 - Room 302
While a growing number of reporters know how to dig into shell companies and hidden assets for “follow-the-money” investigations into fraud and corruption, many struggle with crunching of the numbers they've uncovered. In this workshop, a veteran journalist equips attendees with the ability to compute and work with percentages, rates, currencies, financial indicators, and the kind of mathematics that can be an investigator's friend.
3:00pm
Data
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
Documentaries
KLCC Level 4 - Plenary Theatre
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.
3:00pm
Environment
KLCC Level 3 - Room 305
This practical session equips journalists with tools to investigate climate finance and corporate environmental crimes. Panelists demonstrate how to use stock exchange data and free resources to uncover overlooked stories about banks funding fossil fuel companies, corporate greenwashing practices, and how major corporations harm vulnerable communities. Attendees also learn cost-effective investigation techniques, including methods to track financial flows between investors and polluting industries.
3:00pm
General
KLCC Level 4 - Room 404
Before the digital age, paper documents held secrets that remain crucial for understanding our history. This panel explores how historical archives can illuminate contemporary investigations through real case studies. Discover how technology can unlock previously impenetrable records, from digitized manuscripts to AI-powered document analysis. Learn practical strategies for navigating archival systems, connecting past events to present stories, and uncovering long-buried truths that reshape our understanding of current events.
3:00pm
General
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
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
Human Rights
KLCC Level 4 - Room 401
This panel examines the systematic exploitation of migrant workers in Gulf states, from abusive recruitment in home countries to oppressive working conditions and restricted freedoms abroad. Speakers expose labor violations at major multinationals with a deep focus on widespread wage theft — the most common abuse affecting millions of workers. The discussion also analyzes recent Gulf reforms, their driving forces, and persistent gaps in protecting migrant rights.All sessions are first-come, first-serve. 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.
3:00pm
Human Rights
KLCC Level 3 - Conference Hall 3
How can journalists use remote investigation techniques to report on inaccessible conflict zones and high-risk areas? Whether it’s due to conflict, government restrictions, or environmental barriers, journalists often face the challenge of gathering credible information without being on the ground. Panel attendees learn practical applications of open source research tools, satellite data analysis, and remote verification methods. The session demonstrates how exiled journalists and remote investigators leverage these technologies to uncover war crimes, monitor developments, and produce verifiable stories, showcasing innovative approaches to overcome reporting barriers.All sessions are first-come, first-serve. 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.
3:00pm
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
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
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. 
4:30pm
Crime & Corruption
KLCC Level 3 - Conference Hall 3
Transnational criminal networks exploit jurisdictional gaps to evade accountability. This panel brings together investigative journalists who have successfully exposed major cross-border criminal enterprises despite significant personal risks. Learn advanced techniques for tracking money flows, identifying network connections, and collaborating with international partners. Speakers will share security protocols, source protection methods, and investigative strategies that enabled breakthrough stories.All sessions are first-come, first-serve. 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.
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Co-hosts

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Malaysiakini