The Power of Convening & the 3 C’s

A few weeks ago, members of our Public Engagement portfolio’s Independent Journalism and Media (IJAM) and Communications teams attended the Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Over 1,500 attendees from 135 countries and territories came together to connect, be in community, and collaborate with like-minded professionals. We had the privilege of accompanying our IJAM partners as they presented, moderated panels, and attended both networking and skill building sessions. 

In pursuit of uncovering the truth and illuminating systemic issues and human rights abuses occurring around the globe, many of these practitioners traveled for hours on end to find community and respite against a backdrop of rising authoritarianism, attacks on journalists, and risks to personal safety and security.  

Every hallway and auditorium buzzed with eagerness and focus, coupled with a collective yearning to firmly grasp and preserve each moment and learning, while panelists discussed the erosion of democratic ideals, exposing corruption in government and the private sector. The harrowing accounts and stark realities of reporting from ongoing conflict zones in the Congo, Gaza, and Sudan were also spotlighted. As we listened to insights from speaker after speaker, we, the audience, internally grappled with our roles and civic duty, both as investigative journalists and as grant makers who support this work.  

For journalists and media affiliates, the message was clear — you commit to seeking the truth, providing transparency, and fact-checking to combat false narratives and mis and disinformation often amplified by artificial intelligence, all while enacting the utmost duty of care to sources. Because sometimes errors meant disappearances, grave consequences, and extrajudicial killings. Collectively, panelists spoke about their intrinsic drive to uphold fundamental and civil liberties, including a free press, often prohibited by both governmental and non-state actors. Notably, many spoke about the importance of strengthening collaborations and using existing data and open-source media as tools to share knowledge and advance investigative research.  

For the grantmakers and funders in the room, the underlying message reverberated with greater clarity with each passing panel and keynote address. Most independent media organizations are underfunded, and convening spaces within this field hold immense power. Whether hosting conferences, events, roundtables, or sponsoring IJAM professionals to attend, grantmakers can act as systems catalysts by igniting connections and providing a pathway to build professional networks and solidarity among journalists, which can transform the role of independent media. Specifically, grant funding has the potential to support initiatives aimed at safeguarding the press, which is crucial in establishing a democracy sine qua non, one that is indispensable of political accountability, civic participation, and the public’s access to accurate information. The call to action was also very apparent — in these resource-constrained times, supporting investigative journalism and media is not only vital but an act of resistance.  

Overall, witnessing those who engage with the world through their pen and seeing them stand firm in the face of repressive regimes was an honor. Their clarity and commitment to the truth is a testament to the transformational power and significance of this work. 

 To the GIJC organizers and attendees, terima kasih. Thank you for allowing us into this space and for the moments of connection, community, and collaboration. 

Follow along on our social media channels in the coming weeks to hear insights from some of our IJAM partners and staff.