Digital Media Roundtable Spotlights Journalists as Catalysts for Corporate Accountability on Human Rights and the Environment

Regional exchange strengthens media’s role in reporting on BHR+E

June 25, 2025

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In a fast-changing media landscape, the role of journalists and communicators in exposing harmful corporate practices and amplifying community voices has never been more vital. Recognizing this, UNDP convened a roundtable and skill-building session on business, human rights, and the environment (BHR+E) drawing together more than 20 seasoned journalists and communicators from Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Thailand.

Part of the Agents of Change initiative supported by the European Union, the roundtable underscored the power of the media to not only inform but to influence, challenging the status quo, holding powerful actors to account, and creating space for alternative narratives to emerge.

“Media plays a critical role in enhancing transparency and unpacking complex issues for the public,” said Laure Brachet, Head of Political Press and Information Section, Delegation of the European Union to Thailand. “By spotlighting gaps between policy and practice, media can help drive meaningful reform and amplify the voices of affected communities.”

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The roundtable featured a mix of hands-on training, peer exchange, and critical reflection. Journalists explored practical approaches to covering the intersections between business operations, human rights violations, and environmental harm. Discussions touched on everything from investigating supply chains and corporate greenwashing, to understanding SLAPP lawsuits and navigating editorial risks.

What emerged was a shared recognition: reporting on BHR+E is rarely just professional, it’s personal. Many of the journalists present had covered stories that closely mirrored their own lived experiences, whether involving extractive industries, land rights conflicts, or corporate pollution.

The training drew from UNDP’s growing body of resources, including the foundational guide Reporting on Business and Human Rights, which features insights from investigative journalists and media experts. It also built on earlier regional engagements, including in-person workshops held in South Asia and previous digital sessions on forced labour, responsible sourcing, and image ethics in storytelling.

A core takeaway: the media is an essential, if often underacknowledged, enabler in the business and human rights ecosystem.

Over the two days, participants also candidly discussed challenges they face, including limited access to businesses and government officials, pressure from advertisers, and the chilling effect of legal intimidation. The growing threat of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) was a shared concern, underscoring the need for greater protections for investigative reporting in the region.

While the conversation acknowledged real barriers, it also surfaced ideas for tangible progress. Journalists shared strategies for building trust with sources, balancing editorial choices, and crafting stories that are not only impactful, but inclusive and solution-oriented.

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A young man speaking into a microphone at a round table, engaged in discussion with others.

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The session wrapped with a renewed commitment from participants to continue reporting on BHR+E issues, not just as isolated incidents but as systemic challenges that demand attention.

This digital media roundtable was part of UNDP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen responsible business practices and promote human rights and environmental sustainability in Asia and the Pacific, in partnership with the European Union.

The Agents of Change initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP to support civil society and media actors in driving more inclusive, bottom-up approaches to corporate accountability across the region.