James Deane
Head of Policy, Most of my working life has focused on supporting independent media and communication around the world. I spent 20 years at Panos which was dedicated to developing country driven journalism and public debate on development issues, helping set it up and eventually became its Executive Director. I joined ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action in 2007 and am managerially responsible for its research and technical advisory departments working to help support the organisation so its work is as good as it can be β evidence based, rigorous and impactful. The main part of my job is to lead our external policy engagement, acting as a bridge between the organisation and the outside world, ensuring that we help inform thinking, policy and practice and that the best thinking and practice informs our work. I am also ultimately responsible for commissioning our external policy briefings and other outputs and just occasionally get the chance to write some of them myself.
Blog posts in total 17
Posts
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Time to unite in support of independent media
With the second Summit for Democracy held on 29-30 March 2023, and World Press Freedom Day marking its 30th anniversary, our head of policy, James Deane, examines the backdrop and the challenges for media
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Media 'extinction' and the gaping hole in anti-corruption efforts
It is time anti-corruption efforts factored in the crisis confronting independent media around the world, argues our Head of Policy James Deane.
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Mediaβs existential crisis and the consequences for peace
Independent media are vital to peaceful and effective development - but their role is endangered with consequences for good governance and democracy. A coordinated international response is needed, such as a proposal for an International Fund for Public-Interest Media.
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Is it time for an International Fund for Free and Independent Media?
James Deane makes the case for a new way of supporting independent media in the places it is most under threat.
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The faults, fissures and connections between media development and social and behaviour change communication
James Deane explores how to improve cooperation within and across these often competing disciplines.
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From impatient optimism to sober and determined realism: What needs to happen next?
Fourth in a series of blogs exploring the future of media development assistance.
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Supporting independent media institutions: some ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action thinking
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action's priorities for delivering even stronger support for independent media
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A future agenda for media assistance?
James Deane argues that our fragmented media means we need strong institutions that produce journalism in the public interest and that information networks alone to deliver this.
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Efforts to support independent media are being outgunned - some thoughts on how it can fight back
First in a series of blogs exploring the future of media development assistance.
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What to expect from the biggest ever summit on social and behaviour change communication
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action's three priorities for the future of social and behaviour change communication.
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DFID's "transparency revolution" is welcome - but supporting independent media is urgent and challenging
James Deane argues that efforts to increase transparency and strengthen accountability will only succeed if independent media is given the support it needs to flourish and hold power to account.
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Six steps towards a more open media
On International Day of Democracy, James Deane sets out six ways in which a revival of public interest media could help improve accountability and foster transparency.
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3 negatives and 3 positives from World Press Freedom Day
Reflecting on the conversations and debates held in Indonesia for World Press Freedom Day, James Deane shares his three reasons to be worried and three grounds for optimism.
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Public service broadcasting in fragile states: are we flogging a dead horse?
James Deane argues that the concept of media systems capable of: engaging everyone in society, acting independently and enabling dialogue across divides appears increasingly β rather than decreasingly β relevant in the 21st century.
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Making politics work for development is all the rage
Through arguing that development outcomes are less the product of specific βprojectsβ than of enabling governance systems, two new World Bank papers help make the case for supporting independent, informative and engaging media.
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The role of the media in a divided society
Our director of policy and learningβs personal reflection on the role of media in divided societies in the wake of Britainβs decision to leave the European Union.
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Media, communication and the future of development
James Deane welcomes you to a new resource on why and how media and communication matters in international development.