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Add to Preferred SourcesThe Chairperson of Media Action Nepal (MAN) and special DevelopmentAid journalist in South Asia, Laxman Datt Pant, has been elected to co-lead the Media Freedom Coalition – Consultative Network (MFC-CN), an important global network that defends and promotes media freedom around the world.
On 8 February, Pant, a renowned journalist in South Asia, as well as a champion for press freedom, joined two other co-chairs of the MFC-CN, Silvia Chocarro of Article 19 and Rachel Kay of IFEX. Together, they will coordinate the organization’s activities and represent the entity at international forums to defend press freedom.
Commenting on his responsibilities as MFC-CH co-chair, Pant said:
“Freedom of speech and free mass-media are key elements of a developed and prosperous society. The imperativeness of addressing the issues that stagnate the development of the press in poor countries is vital to achieve progress by the international development community.”
He noted that bold actions to promote media freedom where it is under attack are needed now as never before.
“For that, I will work together with other co-chairs and members of MFC-CN as well as with other like-minded organizations and individuals to better coordinate our actions and increase effectiveness,” added the Nepalese journalist.
Laxman Datt Pant is a valuable member of the DevelopmentAid team having authored more than 100 articles for developmentaid.org and undertaken exclusive interviews with key development figures from the Asian region among whom have been the UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal, the UNDP Resident Representative in Bhutan, Nepal’s Statistics’ Bureau Director-General and the Ambassador of Israel to Nepal.
“We at DevelopmentAid are proud to work with such influential personalities as Laxman Datt Pant. Throughout our cooperation, Laxman has provided valuable insight from South Asia, bringing to light-sensitive issues the region has been facing and hence being the bold voice of South Asia via developmentaid.org. We extend our congratulations to Laxman and wish him further great achievements in his new position,” DevelopmentAid founder and CEO, Luc Vocks, said.
The Media Freedom Coalition – Consultative Network consists of 22 national, regional, and international media organizations from different countries, including Article 19, the International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, Reporters sans Frontières, and the Guardian. The organization provides advice to the Media Freedom Coalition which is a partnership of countries that advocates for media freedom and journalists’ safety.