Reporting on the environment today involves more than just documenting crises; it requires navigating a landscape where news fatigue and disinformation can often overshadow the truth. Journalists are uniquely positioned to guide the conversation back to credible, community-focused storytelling that explores the full complexity of an issue, highlights potential solutions, and builds engagement.

In Malaysia, Indigenous communities are often at the heart of these stories and suffer disproportionately from climate disinformation. This free three-day workshop is designed to equip journalists and media practitioners with practical tools to move beyond traditional “doom and gloom” narratives. We will focus on the Constructive Journalism framework centered on solutions, nuance, and democratic conversation to elevate reporting that is both accurate and impactful.

Objectives

• Learn to identify “red flags” in the narratives and framing of climate issues, specifically impacting Orang Asal communities.
• Understand how to apply FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) standards to protect community integrity and build trust in your reporting.
• Apply the three pillars of Constructive Journalism to move past “feel-good” stories and highlight credible, scalable responses that honour Indigenous agency.
• Gain hands-on experience in moving from binary conflict toward nuanced, evidence-based narratives.
• Design engagement strategies that help your stories reach and resonate with your target audience.

Story Grant Opportunities
All participants will be eligible to apply for one of three story grants (MYR3,000 each). Following the workshop, you will have 14 days to refine your pitches for formal submission. The three selected grantees will then have three months to complete their stories. During this time, they will receive one-on-one mentoring to help bring their constructive journalism stories to publication.

Eligibility & Logistics

• Open to all full-time and freelance journalists in Malaysia working in any local language (print, television, online, or radio). The workshop will be conducted in a mix of English and Bahasa Malaysia.
• This training is free. You will receive a travel stipend to attend the workshop within KL/PJ.*
• Selected participants must commit to the full three-day programme (March 3–5, 2026). A RM100 refundable commitment fee is required to secure your spot.
• Successful applicants will be notified by February 17, 2026.
• The organiser’s decision on applications is final

Trainers

• Nadiah Rosli – Nadiah is a freelance environmental journalist and Managing Director of Tocang Links, an interdisciplinary consultancy. Trained in Constructive Journalism and formerly with Internews and Ocean Discovery League, she brings expertise in science communication and training design. She has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities and mentoring journalists to produce solutions-oriented, community-led storytelling.

• Wong Siew Lyn – Siew Lyn runs Macaranga and as mentor/editor has led 4 other mentorships for journalists from multiple newsrooms from workshop to publication. She has undergone Constructive Journalism training and has reported on and worked with indigenous communities for 3 decades.  

• Mustafa Along – Mustafa Along is an Indigenous rights defender and environmental activist. He is the founder and chairman of Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan (JKOAK), and since 2008, has led Temiar grassroots movements in Gua Musang to protect native customary lands from encroachment. Besides advocating for land rights, Mustafa champions Indigenous education and healthcare, focusing on the long-term well-being and rights of his community.

Queries: Email macarangamy@gmail.com

Updated: 29.1.26 Corrected the wording from “reimbursed  for travel expenses”