NIMJN founder Rajneesh Bhandari calls for greater collaboration among South Asian investigative journalists
Award-winning Nepali investigative multimedia journalist, filmmaker and editor Rajneesh Bhandari was a featured speaker when the Colombo-based Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) marked its sixth anniversary at a special event on January 30 at the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI).
Speaking at the event titled, “Frontlines of Truth: Reporting in Times of Crisis,” Bhandari shared reporting experiences across Nepal, reflecting on the evolving challenges in reporting during crisis situations. Emphasizing on the need for journalists to retain public trust while navigating modern crises, ranging from natural disasters to political instability, he emphasized that evidence-based reporting and ethical decision-making being critical in an era marked by information overload and rapid technological change.
Highlighting the importance of combatting the ‘infodemic,’ he warned against the rise of AI-generated disinformation and the rapid spread of unverified claims, stressing that during crises, accuracy must always take precedence over speed.
He also spoke about the multimedia edge and discussed the importance of using digital tools can assist in data visualization and mapping areas, enabling a “show, don’t tell” approach, strengthening transparency and audience trust.
In his remarks, he also touched upon the ethical use of AI. While acknowledging AI’s value in analyzing large datasets, Bhandari cautioned newsrooms to maintain human oversight and ethical standards, particularly when reporting on vulnerable communities.
Emphasizing that the best stories are told together, he called for greater regional collaboration and invited South Asia’s journalists to work together. He also spoke about co-founding the newly launched South Asia Journalism Collective (SAJC), he encouraged Sri Lankan journalists to engage in cross-border investigations to highlight issues of regional importance.
The expert speaker also touched upon the much overlooked but highly required holistic safety of journalism, emphasizing the need to promote the wellbeing of journalists across the region. He said that while there is greater focus on physical safety of journalists, there should be equal focus on mental health and wellbeing of frontline reporters and called for stronger institutional support systems for journalists working under pressure.
Further, he underscored the need for solutions journalism in a world where often problem are discussed without offering the occasional glimmer of hope. He also highlighted the importance of solutions journalism in investigative reporting, outlining its four pillars: response, insights, evidence, and limitations.
Bhandari is an award-winning investigative reporter, editor, and documentary filmmaker and the founder and chief editor of the Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network (NIMJN). He has led major investigations in Nepal while training journalists across South Asia in digital and multimedia storytelling. His work has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, Al Jazeera, and OCCRP.
