Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Laxman Datt Pant
Nepal’s development gains face a tougher test as demographics and risks change | Exclusive interview
Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search. Add to Preferred Sources Nepal has made significant progress in maternal health and reproductive rights, but persistent inequalities, changing population dynamics and growing climate-related risks continue to expose gaps in healthcare, protection and social services.
Nepal faces multi-billion-dollar recovery after deadly floods
Nepal is facing a multibillion-dollar reconstruction challenge after devastating floods in the north of the country left more than 5,000 people dead or missing within a matter of days, with the government estimating that the rebuilding could exceed US$5 billion. As of 1 September, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 987 deaths and 3,916 people still missing, while 11,814 had been rescued through air and land operations.
Bangladesh faces growing press freedom concerns amid international pressure
By Key reasons to read this article: A new EU-Bangladesh partnership promises stronger human rights protection, but press freedom remains under constraint. Journalists now face some of the most serious legal charges ever brought against media professionals in Bangladesh. The country’s global press freedom ranking continues to slide. International organizations are demanding accountability for attacks on journalists. The government insists reform is coming. But will it be sufficient?
Historic apology, unfinished justice: Nepal confronts its caste discrimination
Key reasons to read this article Discover why the Nepali government recently issued a rare public apology for centuries of systemic oppression. Explore the paradox of why systemic violence and “untouchability” persist in Nepal despite having been constitutionally criminalized for 15 years. Learn how caste-based bias infiltrates every level of modern society, from urban housing markets to the highest levels of elected officials.
Nepal's Universal Periodic Review: Reforms needed to safeguard media freedom
The government must repeal Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, revise the Social Media Bill, and align all media-related laws with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards Although the Constitution of Nepal guarantees freedom of expression, the right to communicate, and the right to information, these rights are increasingly ineffective for journalists and digital rights defenders across the country.
Social media ban in Nepal: An assault on democracy
Author name * : Author photo: Title * : Title photo * : News Content * : Published: Sept. 9, 2025, 11:01 a.m. The Government of Nepal’s arbitrary decision of Sept 4 to impose a blanket ban on 26 social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, X, Instagram and LinkedIn, will have far-reaching consequences for Nepal’s digital ecosystem, democracy, freedom of expression and independent journalism.
Media Council Bill and the erosion of press freedom
In any democracy, the media serves as both a watchdog and a gatekeeper that exposes state wrongdoing, holding authorities accountable, and maintaining a vital check-and-balance role. Criticism of those in power is not only tolerated but often encouraged as a safeguard against abuse. Press or media councils are intended to be independent, self-regulatory bodies that facilitate editorial freedom and protect media independence.
Laxman Datt Pant: Media freedom blueprint for Nepal
Author name * : Author photo: Title * : Title photo * : News Content * : Published: March 15, 2025, 11 a.m. Laxman Datt Pant is a dedicated advocate for independent media, widely recognized for his commitment to media development and press freedom on a global scale. He is the founder of Media Action Nepal, established in 2015, which has now completed nine years of impactful work.
Media industry in South Asia: Fostering digital safety of journalists
Use high-level privacy settings to restrict what is publicly accessible about you, including your networks, stories and photos, and on your Facebook profile, consider replacing your real ID with a nickname Journalists today continue to face high levels of risks due to the unprecedented impact of the COV- ID-19 alongside shutdown of many media outlets and authorities' attempts to control independent media in the ploy of curbing disinformation, and or maintaining peace and security across South...
Information as a matter of life and death: Why credible journalism matters
Separating information and other types of communication content, that is, disinformation and hate speech, World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), 2021 is being celebrated, advocating the notion of information as a public good. This celebration brings back WPFD to its origins to Windhoek, Namibia in 1991 and focusses on contemporary issues of press freedom, access to information and the media's role in ensuring public interest.
Why This Is Not the Time to Debate Socialism in Nepal
A debate on socialism has been underway in the Left circles of Nepal for some time now. Friends from the Nepali Congress too occasionally become part of this “chorus” on socialism. Had it been an academic debate among the scholars or the politicians for that matter, it would have gone unnoticed as debates and deliberations are an inalienable part of the academic world.
Kathmandu Post- Not so free
May 3, 2016- Since the 1991 Declaration of Windhoek, May 3 has been marked as the World Press Freedom Day to assess the situation of press freedom all around the globe and to defend its independence. The day also pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. Marking this day gives an opportunity for the media and concerned stakeholders to inform citizens about the violations against press freedom.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Laxman Datt
Contact Laxman Datt, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack