James Deane is the co-founder of the International Fund for Public Interest Media, a new independent multilateral financing mechanism designed to support free and independent media in low and middle income countries. He has more than thirty years experience working to support independent media and free and informed societies around the world.
Before starting the International Fund, he was Director of Policy and Research at BBC Media Action, the BBC's international development charity and before that Executive Director of the journalism support organisation, the Panos Institute. He has been chair of the citizen journalism network, Global Voices among other governance roles and sits on the Advisory Council of Wilton Park.
He is the author and commissioner of numerous reports on the role of media and communication in underpinning democracy and development.