Karl Malakunas

About

Karl is a Walkley Award-winning and Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist, editor and documentary filmmaker who has worked for Agence France-Presse since 2001.Karl is currently Global Head of Philanthropic Projects for AFP -- building relationships with philanthropic institutions, such as charitable foundations and non-profits, to support media projects aligned with AFP’s values and objectives. The projects integrate philanthropic-supported journalism into new and expanded editorial projects within the Agency, strengthening investigative journalism and driving innovation in core areas such as Future of the Planet and Democracy. They will also allow AFP to support other media stakeholders and promote greater pluralism in the media landscape.Karl was AFP's Asia-Pacific Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Head of English Desk from 2019-2025. Previously he was based in the Philippines, China, Singapore and Hong Kong for AFP, working as a Bureau Chief, News Editor, Asia-Pacific Environment Editor, reporter and desk editor. He has worked on assignment in more than 20 countries, covering major events including conflicts and Olympic Games. Karl also set up AFP's digital investigation operations in the Asia-Pacific. He established fact-check teams in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia, as well as an editing desk in Hong Kong.Karl made an enviro-thriller documentary set in the Philippines called Delikado, which aired on PBS, Arte and other public broadcasters around the world. Delikado has screened at nearly 100 film festivals globally, winning more than 20 awards including the Sydney Film Festival's Sustainable Future Award. Delikado was also nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Investigative Documentary, and earnt Karl the Walkley Award – Australia's equivalent of a Pulitzer – for Best Longform Documentary. Karl is a two-time Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program Fellow. Karl has led Delikado's impact campaign to support land defenders and the natural resources they protect.Karl began his journalism career as a 17-year-old copy boy on the Herald Sun newspaper in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia. He learnt text reporting, photography, video journalism, newsroom management skills and documentary-making while on the job.