Transparency International Malaysia (TI-Malaysia) has brought together a broad cross-section of media practitioners, legal experts, academics and veteran journalists to further the cause of fighting corruption.
The full-day virtual workshop, held on 28 July 2021, saw the participation of 33 local journalists in a stimulating exchange of ideas and views with a panel of experts. The overall objective was to sharpen the investigative journalism skills of local journalists, enabling them to better unearth abuses of public trust.
In his opening speech, Dr Muhammad Mohan, President of TI-Malaysia, said the workshop was timely and relevant, taking into account the increasing importance of journalists acquiring in-depth knowledge to thoroughly investigate instances of corruption.
The workshop also gave journalists valuable insights into the current Whistleblower Protection Act (2010) from a legislative perspective. The act does not currently protect whistleblowers who go directly to the media. Given the public interest aspect of such investigative reporting, TI-Malaysia advocates for extending whistleblower protection in Malaysia to protect journalists and their sources in exposing corrupt acts that have not received attention from the authorities.
Dr Muhammad Mohan also said: “Professional investigative journalists who report with factual accuracy and depth of knowledge about transparency, good governance, and integrity are our vanguards in the fight against corruption. We are thankful for the many stories that have come to light thanks to the efforts and risks undertaken by journalists.”
TI-Malaysia planned for this workshop to further equip journalists with relevant skills and to create a closer level of engagement with the media on reporting about corruption and advocating for better laws to combat corruption.
This is the first time TI-Malaysia has organised a workshop on investigative journalism, with the support of USAID and Malaysia Reform Initiative (MARI). The workshop featured five speakers, namely legal practitioner Mr Chew Phye Keat from Raja Daryl & Loh; Columnist and former Editor, The Sun Daily, Mr R. Nadeswaran; Managing Editor of The Vibes, Mr Terence Fernandez; Manager, Special Projects of Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad, Media Prima Group, Ms Farrah Naz Abdul Karim, and Prof. Dato' Dr. Ahmad Murad Merican, an academic with broad experience in journalism and mass communications.
“TI-Malaysia thanks both USAID and MARI, and also all media organisations that sent their representatives to this workshop,” said Dr Muhammad Mohan. TI-Malaysia will continuously provide valuable support to journalists to further strengthen good governance and integrity in our society through media reporting,” he said.
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Note to Editors: For clarification on this statement from Transparency International – Malaysia (TI-M), kindly refer to Alissa Rode (Ms.) Project Associate Transparency International Malaysia T: +603 7887 9628 HP: +6010 897 6465.
