Laxman Datt Pant Elected to Global Media Development Leadership

Kathmandu: Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal (MAN), has been elected to the Steering Committee of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), the world’s largest network of journalism support and media development organizations.

Pant is the first Nepali to be elected to this global leadership body. He will represent the Asia, Pacific, and Oceania region.

The announcement was made during GFMD’s General Assembly on July 16, where 17 new members from around the world were officially inducted. This year’s election saw strong participation, with 76% of GFMD’s 215 members voting.

Pant, a well-known communications expert and media rights advocate, said his election is an opportunity to bring Asian media voices to global discussions on press freedom, media safety, and media development.

Under his leadership, Media Action Nepal has worked on promoting independent journalism through research, training, and advocacy. Pant has also served in several international roles, including as Co-Chair of the Media Freedom Coalition–Consultative Network (MFC-CN).

The new Steering Committee will begin its four-year term in November 2025, during an in-person meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which will also coincide with the Global Investigative Journalism Conference.