About CIJ

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.

In response to the 1998 political crisis in Malaysia, a group of five journalists, writers and activists started a project to fill in the demand for critical analysis of the political issues confronting the public. They created a website, saksi.com (“saksi” is Malay for “witness”), which grew to become an important source of analytical and independent information. The strong and positive response to the website prompted the group to register as an organisation to carry out an independent news/content provider project. Thus, the Centre for Independent Journalism was born.

CIJ’s independent radio project RadiQRadio was implemented soon after and had at its peak a staff of 12 who contributed to the fledgling alternative media scene. In early 2003, CIJ explored different ways of broadening the scope of disseminating news across Malaysia. This included collaboration with an Indonesian radio station in Dumai for cross-border transmission. However, technical difficulties and the limited management experience of CIJ in running such a station posed insurmountable, and this particular project was discontinued.

Nevertheless, at the same time CIJ was moving into new, much-needed activities to improve journalism standards and press freedom in Malaysia. The organisation is the leading group in media freedom advocacy and other freedom of expression issues in Malaysia.

Areas of Work

CIJ actively advocates for a broader space for expression and views, and openness of information in Malaysia.

We constantly give our perspectives to issues in regards to freedom of expression, media freedom and ethical journalism through press statements, articles, and an annual review on the Malaysian situation. We campaign for the repeal of restrictive laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Official Secrets Act and against additional legislative curbs on media freedom. CIJ attempts to raise public awareness on the values of freedom of expression, press freedom and freedom of information by organising and giving talks on these subjects. One of our signature events is the annual celebration of the World Press Freedom Day on May 3. We actively support grassroots media through our citizen radio project and training on podcasts, previously hosted at Radiq.net, to ensure that marginalised community voices are disseminated out there.

We also engage stakeholders, including local and international civil society groups, journalists, academics and lawmakers, to build a strong network for mutual collaboration on free expression. In summary, CIJ strives to fulfill the following objectives:

  • Promote and defend the exercise of freedom of expression
  • Ensure good policies and advocating legislative change
  • Raise public awareness on freedom of expression/information to mobilise support for media freedom, expression and access to information
  • Facilitating marginalised voices through community media

Timeline

1990 - Current

  1. Dec 1998
  2. Apr 2001
  3. Nov 2006
  4. Oct 2007
  5. Dec 2007
  6. 2008
  7. Jan 2009
  8. Feb 2009
  9. Mar 2009
  10. Jul 2009
  11. Jul 2009
  12. Sep 2009
  13. Aug 2010

  1. The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ)

    Non-Profit Organisation

    In response to the 1998 political crisis in Malaysia, a group of five journalists, writers and activists started a project to fill in the demand for critical analysis of the political issues confronting the public. They created a website, saksi.com (“saksi” is Malay for “witness”), which grew to become an important source of analytical and independent information. The strong and positive response to the website prompted the group to register as an organisation to carry out an independent news/content provider project. Thus, the Centre for Independent Journalism was born.

  2. RadiqRadio

    CIJ launches online radio station

    CIJ launches the online radio station, RadiqRadio. The station ran as a 15-minute Malay-language news show until the end of the year, then morphed into a community- based radio network. CIJ worked with urban poor, indigenous, women’s, LGBTIQ and student groups, among others, to produce cutting edge radio programmes.

  3. Freedom of Information

    FOI Roadshow to Kelantan

    Freedom of Information roadshow to Kelantan, talking with state legislators, farmers, union leaders and other groups on how access to information could affect their lives and livelihoods.

  4. Freedom of Information

    Training and conference

    Conducted Freedom of Information training for Ipoh City Watch. Gave talk on FOI at the Malaysia Law Conference.

  5. Take Back The Tech

    16 Days of Activism

    Gave talks at IACT and WWRP on Take Back the Tech, an international campaign for a feminist internet.

  6. International Freedom of Expression eXchange

    CIJ accepted as a member of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX).

  7. Coalition for Good Governance

    Selangor FOI Enactment

    CIJ took the lead in the Coalition for Good Governance in providing feedback on the proposed Selangor FOI Enactment.

  8. Citizen Journalism

    Trainings for Kindergarten Teachers’ Association

    Held Tamil-language Citizen Journalism trainings for over 90 women and girls from the Kindergarten Teachers’ Association in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johor.

  9. Women take the lead in democratizing media ownership

    International Women’s Day

    CIJ held a forum on “Women take the lead in democratizing media ownership”, in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

  10. Youth Camp

    Radio skills and human rights trainingg

    Youth Camp held for 29 “troubled” youths from the areas around Taiping, Perak. That aim was to create space for the youths to discuss their feelings and emotions, through radio skills and human rights training.

  11. Men and women unite to end Violence Against Women

    Community Audio Fest

    Community Audio Fest III held at Banting, with the theme “Men and women unite to end Violence Against Women.” Girls from Batu Arang, Taiping and Banting; trans-women from Batang Berjuntai; and indigenous women from Gombak participated in the Fest.

  12. Women’s Right

    Forum

    Held a forum on women’s right to access information.

  13. Access to Information

    Research

    Conducted research on access to information on environmental issues, with CIJ working with academics from UTAR and the Coalition for Good Governance.