The State of Indigenous Journalists in Asia: Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand

Indigenous journalists across Asia—home to two-thirds of world's Indigenous population—play a key role as defenders of land, cultures, languages, and human rights, but still, they remain largely invisible in mainstream media, lack resources, and face critical risks for their work. This report presents the first multi-country study on the status, challenges, and resilience of Indigenous journalists across seven Asian nations. Drawing on in-depth interviews with Indigenous journalists in these countries, secondary sources, and case studies, it highlights the systemic marginalization of Indigenous journalists in mainstream media in Asia. It raises the emergence of Indigenous-led media as a form of resistance, self-determination and cultural preservation—where Indigenous media and journalists approach various issue from an insider and grounded perspective. They are best placed to represent their communities, considering the barriers and biases that exists, to shape global Indigenous discourses and narratives towards strength and resilience.