On March 21, 2024, in Manila, the Journalists Against Corruption (JAC) network was officially launched to enhance reporting on corruption issues in Southeast Asia. This initiative is backed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and aims to provide journalists across the region with a collaborative platform for investigating and exposing corruption. The launch was attended by 35 journalists from various media organizations, including Tempo and Project Multatuli from Indonesia, The Nation and Green News from Thailand, Sinar Project in Malaysia, and other outlets from Cambodia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Lao PDR, and online participants from Vietnam and Singapore.
Carmela Fonbuena, the executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), emphasized that JAC will enhance collaborative national and regional investigations and offer training tailored to local journalists’ needs. The network builds upon previous efforts made by UNODC in developing the Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network (PACJN) and aims to strengthen media capabilities in fighting corruption across Southeast Asia and Mongolia.
Daniele Marchesi, UNODC’s Country Manager for the Philippines, remarked that the creation of JAC represents a significant advancement in addressing corruption as a societal concern. He highlighted the essential role of investigative journalism in uncovering hidden corruption, holding influential individuals accountable, and advancing public discourse on injustices. Marchesi stressed that stories produced by dedicated journalists could drive transformative change, influence policy, and rally collective action against corruption.
Furthermore, the JAC network is designed to operate sustainably beyond its initial phase, with national focal points facilitating the benefits of regional collaboration at the national level.
Erica Villborg, a Programme Specialist at the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok, affirmed Sweden’s commitment to supporting independent media as a critical player in the battle against corruption.
The formation of the JAC network represents a hopeful step toward enhancing investigative journalism as a key tool for addressing corruption in Southeast Asia, empowering journalists to effectuate meaningful changes in society.
