Media Action Nepal marks 9th foundation day with new leadership and renewed commitments to press freedom
KATHMANDU/December 22: Media Action Nepal (MAN) successfully marked its 9th Foundation Day and 3rd Convention on December 21, 2024, in Kathmandu. The event marked a significant milestone in the organization’s journey, with the election of new leadership and the endorsement of strategic plans to uphold its mission for inclusive, independent, and accountable media, to strengthen democracy in Nepal.
Over 65 participants, including voting delegates, attended the event. The ceremony inaugurated with a video presentation highlighted MAN’s achievements over the past nine years, during which it has published 26 reports and directly benefited 7,073 journalists through its interventions in media research, policy discussions, capacity development and day-to-day monitoring of press freedom violations.
Heads of CSOs, rights and media regulatory bodies, including Manoj Duwady, Commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal; Laxman Humagain, Chair of the Advertisement Board; Sangita Khadka, Chair of the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology; Ramkala Khadka, Chair of Working Women Journalists (WWJ); Janma Dev Jaisi, Chairperson of Working Journalists Association; and Deepak Acharya, Senior Vice President of Federation of Nepali Journalists, praised Media Action Nepal’s impactful work targeted at defending freedom of the press.
Jha elected chairperson and Pant appointed executive director
The convention elected Priyanka Jha as the new Chairperson of Media Action Nepal (MAN), along with Mim Bahadur Pariyar as Vice -Chairperson, Bal Krishna Sah as Secretary, and Laxmi Khatiwada as Treasurer. Ganesh Prasad Ghimire, Yam Bahadur Dura, and Triguna Bhattarai were elected as members. In its first meeting following the elections, the executive committee appointed Laxman Datt Pant, the founding Chairperson of MAN, as the Executive Director, ensuring continuity in leadership and expertise within the organization.
Province coordinators awarded
On the occasion, Media Action Nepal honored its three province coordinators for their outstanding contributions to press freedom and media development initiatives. The awardees included Hadis Khuddar from Madhesh Province, Narendra Dhakal from Koshi Province, and Lalit Bahadur Budha from Karnali Province. Meanwhile, the newly elected executive committee has also reappointed them as coordinators for their respective provinces for the next four years, recognizing their dedication and leadership.
Calls for action to protect media freedom
Speaking at the inaugural session, Laxman Datt Pant , Founding Chair and the Executive Director highlighted the critical need to address the growing challenges faced by independent media in Nepal and globally. He warned that the role of media as a watchdog could weaken if immediate measures are not taken to end impunity for crimes against journalists. Pant also cautioned against countering disinformation initiatives being misused by authorities to suppress independent media through laws detrimental to press freedom. The adoption of detrimental laws in the guise of countering disinformation threatens the essence of a free press, he added.
Panel Discussions on Journalism Challenges and Digital Disinformation
Two panel discussions during the convention addressed pressing issues in the media landscape: the challenges of independent journalism and countering digital disinformation. Speakers included senior journalists, editors, academics, and digital rights experts.
Challenges of Independent Journalism
Speakers emphasized the need for robust investigative journalism, fair remuneration for journalists, and the separation of journalism from political inclinations. Gham Raj Luintel, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Tribhuwan University discussed the convergence of traditional and online media, highlighting the necessity for innovation and adaptability in a rapidly changing media environment. Senior journalist Namrata Sharma called for strengthening investigative reporting, while Rajan Pokhrel, Editor of The Himalayan Times urged media houses to leverage technology while prioritizing accuracy and speed. Chandra Shekhar Adhikari, Editor of Himalpress emphasized the critical issue of job insecurity in media.
Countering Digital Disinformation
Panelists explored the impact of misinformation on democracy and the role of technology in amplifying disinformation. Santosh Sigdel, Executive Director of Digital Rights Nepal underscored the importance of technical tools and fact-checking mechanisms, while Rabi Raj Baral, Founder and Editor of Media Kurakani highlighted the critical need for editorial gatekeeping. Manjima Dhakal, a Desk Editor at The Rising Nepal and researcher Mahesh Kushwaha, emphasized responsible journalism, the use of reliable sources, and the challenges posed by generative AI in creating echo chambers.
Vision for the Future
Newly elected Chairperson Priyanka Jha shared her vision for Media Action Nepal’s future, emphasizing its commitment to defending independent media and fostering accountability. “We will continue to promote responsible journalism and human rights protection while expanding Media Action Nepal’s reach and impact in the years to come,” she said.
The convention concluded with a renewed commitment to addressing emerging challenges, fostering inclusive governance, and strengthening the role of media as a pillar of democracy in Nepal.
Global Engagements
Media Action Nepal, a grassroots civil society organization, actively participates in influential global media development and press freedom alliances, including the Consultative Network of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC-CN), the Global Forum on Media Development (GFMD), and the ACOS Alliance. Laxman Datt Pant, the founding Chairperson and current Executive Director, served as one of the elected Co-Chairs of the MFC-CN from 2024 to 2024, further strengthening the organization’s global leadership and advocacy efforts.
