The GIJN article explores how investigative journalism in Asia is a critical tool of resistance and accountability against pervasive challenges. Historically a platform against colonialism and authoritarianism, the profession today is severely threatened by:
Legal Weaponization: Governments use new “disinformation laws,” sedition charges, and “foreign agents” acts to harass and imprison reporters (e.g., in Turkey, Central Asia).
Political and Financial Pressure: State control, censorship, and the financial strangulation of independent outlets (especially in countries like India and Pakistan) push genuine investigative work to the margins.
Resilience and Solidarity: Despite these threats, investigative reporting is surviving through new media tools, donor-funded independent platforms (The Reporters’ Collective, Rappler, Tempo), and cross-border collaboration to expose corruption, human trafficking, and human rights abuses. The goal remains to maintain an independent, Asian voice in reporting.
