Finland takes over as Co-Chair of the Media Freedom Coalition
KATHMANDU | June 24 : Finland has been announced as the new Co-Chair of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a global alliance of 51 countries committed to advancing media freedom and the safety of journalists worldwide. Finland will assume its two-year term on 1 July 2025, serving alongside Germany, which began its co-chairmanship in January 2024. Finland succeeds Estonia, which has held the role since July 2023. Finland will assume its two-year term on 1 July 2025, serving alongside Germany, which began its co-chairmanship in January 2024. Finland succeeds Estonia, which has held the role since July 2023.
As stated by the MFC, the handover ceremony was held during the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23 June 2025, where Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen formally accepted the co-chairmanship from Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, with Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also in attendance.
The MFC has been defending press freedom, supporting journalists at risk, providing emergency support and visas, and advocating for legal reforms to strengthen the safety and independence of journalists. In 2024, the Coalition took action on 22 urgent cases of journalists at risk and mobilized 123 embassy-led interventions globally.
As one of the 22 civil society organizations in the Consultative Network (CN) of the Media Freedom Coalition, Media Action Nepal remains committed to strengthening this global agenda. Media Action Nepal’s Founder and Executive Director, Laxman Datt Pant, served as an elected Co-Chair of the CN from February 2022 to September 2024.
As one of the 22 civil society organizations in the Consultative Network (CN) of the Media Freedom Coalition, Media Action Nepal remains committed to strengthening this global agenda. Media Action Nepal’s Founder and Executive Director, Laxman Datt Pant, served as an elected Co-Chair of the CN from February 2022 to September 2024.
Featured Photo (Courtesy of the Media Freedom Coalition): Minister Margus Tsahkna (left), Minister Johann Wadephul (center), and Minister Elina Valtonen (right) pictured during the co-chairship handover ceremony.