Kuala Lumpur, 20–24 November 2025 – Aizat Shamsuddin, INITIATE.MY’s Executive Director participated in the Global Investigative Journalism Conference 2025 (GIJC25), the world’s largest gathering of investigative journalists. GIJC25 convened over 1,500 journalists, editors and media professionals from more than 100 countries to exchange tools, strategies and collaborative approaches in investigative reporting.

INITIATE’s participation focused on engaging with global practitioners working on digital harms, extremism, technology governance, and accountability. The conference provided valuable exposure to emerging investigative methodologies, cross-border collaboration models and innovative uses of data and artificial intelligence in journalism. These discussions closely intersect with INITIATE’s research on far-right extremism, online harms and platform accountability in Malaysia and the broader region.

Through panel sessions, workshops and networking engagements, INITIATE strengthened connections with investigative journalists, media organisations and international partners. These interactions support the organisation’s broader objectives of enhancing evidence-based research, improving digital literacy and fostering responsible public discourse.

Participation in GIJC25 also enabled INITIATE to explore potential collaborations that bridge civil society research and investigative journalism, particularly in areas related to transnational crime, digital safety and democratic resilience. The conference reinforced the importance of cross-sector cooperation in addressing complex security and governance challenges in an increasingly digital ecosystem.