**Journalism in the Face of Adversity: The Power of Collaboration** In the world of journalism, courage is a currency that's often traded in the face of adversity. Our profession has long been synonymous with bravery, from exposing human rights abuses to holding those in power accountable. However, for journalists operating in authoritarian contexts, the line between courage and recklessness can be perilously thin. At the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a gathering of the world's top investigative journalists, a powerful message emerged: collaboration is key to survival. Ronna Rísquez, a veteran journalist, shared her insights on why this is the case, drawing from her own experiences in Venezuela. **The High Stakes of Journalism in Authoritarian Regimes** Rísquez's presentation, "Collaborate or Die: Journalism on the Tightrope," painted a stark picture of the risks faced by journalists in countries like Venezuela. With 16 journalists imprisoned and 477 in exile, the country has become a byword for the dangers of reporting in a repressive environment. "Doing journalism in an authoritarian context is like walking a tightrope," Rísquez warned, with the State and criminal groups waiting to pounce on either side. **Collaboration: The Safety Net for Journalists** So, how can journalists in such environments stay safe? Rísquez's answer is clear: collaboration is the answer. By working together, journalists can build a stronger safety net across multiple fronts. Physically, shared reporting reduces the risk of exposure. Digitally, teams can implement more robust encryption and communication protocols. Legally, multiple organisations can pool resources for pre-publication review and defence. And, psychologically, the weight of investigating high-risk stories can be distributed, making the work more sustainable. **A Lesson for Nigerian Journalists** As we navigate our own complex media landscape in Nigeria, Rísquez's message is a timely reminder of the importance of collaboration. From the challenges of reporting on high-profile corruption cases to the risks of investigating human rights abuses, our journalists face similar dangers. By prioritizing collaboration, we can build a stronger, more resilient press corps that's better equipped to hold those in power accountable. As Rísquez so aptly put it, "Collaborate or die." The choice is clear.