Kathmandu, September 23

The second Asian Investigative Journalism Conference began in the capital today.

The conference is being jointly organised by the Centre for Investigative Journalism Nepal, Global Investigative Journalism Network and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Around 350 journalists, including top investigative reporters, data journalists and media law and security experts from 52 countries around the world are participating in the three-day conference.

A team of Panama Papers the biggest leak in journalism history which forced government-level investigations and resignation from top level officials in many countries — shared their experience during the plenary session on ‘The Panama Papers: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead’ today.

Mar Cabra, head of Data and Research Unit, ICIJ, was the speaker of the first plenary session while her team included Umar Cheema, investigative reporter at The News International (Pakistan), Wahyu Dhyatmika, editor at AIJ (Indonesia), Ritu Sarin, executive editor at Indian Express (India) and Yasuomi Kawa, deputy editor at Kyoda News (Japan).

Sharing her experience, Cabra said massive electronic leaks were normal in today’s digital world. She also encouraged journalists to investigate data that are available online, stating that leaks and data journalism form a sustainable news model.

While moderating a panel discussion on Panama Papers, Sheila Coronel, director of Columbia University’s Stabile Centre for Investigative Journalism, said Panama Papers was able to draw the world’s attention.

The Panama Papers comprises 11.5 million leaked documents that detail financial and attorney-client information for more than 214,488 offshore entities.

Similarly, many others presented their papers on various topics.

Pultizer prize winner Walter V Robinson and many other world renowned investigative journalists are participating and sharing their skills as well as knowledge, challenges and opportunities in the field of journalism in the conference.