Gayathry S. Venkiteswaran

As Associate Professor in Media & Law at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Gayathry S. Venkiteswaran teaches among others Political Communication, Propaganda & Public Relations, and Communication Technologies. Gayathry has long been a defender of the rights to freedom of speech in the media, prior to her current appointment. She holds an MA in International Relations (Australian National University) and is completing a PhD focused on media reforms in Southeast Asia.

Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) in Bangkok (5 years): championed press freedom, journalists’ safety, regional internet freedom, and access to information. She was the head of the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Malaysia (7 years). She led campaigns for Freedom of Information laws in Selangor & Penang, launched independent online radio, led citizen journalism and media literacy initiatives.

Early in her career she worked as a journalist, editor and media educator – lecturing in media history and journalism. She is currently the Vice-Chair of the International Board of ARTICLE 19 (since June 2020): leads the Governance Sub‑Committee and supports strategic direction in global free expression advocacy; chairs governance reviews, trustee recruitment, and ensures effective board oversight aligned with organisational mission.