Manoj Basnet

From humble beginnings in Palpaliga village of Nepal’s Kavrepalanchok district, Manoj Basnet’s journey stands as a beacon of vision, resilience, and transformative leadership in South Asia’s evolving media landscape. As the current General Manager of Annapurna Media Network (AMN), Nepal’s largest and most influential media house, Basnet exemplifies a career forged through journalistic integrity, operational excellence, and global media acumen.

Beginning his career in 2007 as a district correspondent for Kantipur National Daily, Basnet quickly distinguished himself through evidence-based investigative journalism. Known for filing multiple impactful stories daily, he not only gained national recognition but also drove policy-level actions through his reporting. His commitment to press freedom and the public interest laid a strong foundation for the leadership role he holds today.

Basnet’s natural leadership qualities, recognized early during his academic years at Tribhuvan University, fueled his ascent in the media world. His transition from journalist to executive was significantly influenced by Captain Rameshwor Thapa, a prominent media entrepreneur, who introduced him to media management. That pivotal shift set the stage for Basnet to eventually assume strategic roles, such as Regional Coordinator, Circulation Manager, and Head of Sales & Distribution across Nepal’s top media organizations including Kantipur Media Group and Annapurna Post. His operational experience also spans business strategy, corporate branding, event management, and organizational restructuring.

In 2024, Basnet took the helm of Annapurna Media Network as General Manager, leading the institution into a new era of innovation and credibility. Under his guidance, AMN continues to operate some of Nepal’s most prominent platforms: Annapurna Post, The Annapurna Express, Radio Annapurna, AP1 TV, and the widely accessed online portal annapurnapost.com. Basnet’s leadership is credited with expanding AMN’s market share, fostering editorial independence, and reinforcing its reputation as a bastion of press freedom and a voice for the marginalized.

His contributions have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. In March 2025, Basnet received a Certificate of Recognition from New York State Assembly Member David I. Weprin, marking his influential role in Nepal’s media renaissance. He was also awarded two Certificates of Appreciation by Capt. Rameshwar Thapa, Chairman of Annapurna Media Network, for his leadership, strategic guidance, and dedication. More recently, in July 2025, Bystreams LLC, a US-based organization, honored him with the prestigious title of ‘Media Leader of the Year’. The award, announced by Chairman Adrian Pokharel via the Namaste America program and Bystreams’ official channels, recognized Basnet’s commitment to truth, innovation, and leadership. Chairman Pokharel noted that Basnet's journalism and managerial vision have transformed countless readers into responsible citizens and inspired a new generation of journalists globally. In addition, he received a Certificate of Recognition from the New York State Senate, signed by Senator John C. Liu, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to the media industry.

His visionary leadership and exceptional performance were also honored with a Certificate of Recognition from Assembly Member Steven B. Raga of the New York State Assembly and a separate Certificate of Appreciation from U.S. Congress Democrat Adrian Pokharel in Virginia in July 2024. In January 2025, he was presented the Community Media Award by Triveni Times USA and Jennifer Rajkumar, Member of the New York State Assembly, recognizing his commitment to amplifying community voices through journalism.

Beyond his executive role, Basnet holds multiple global affiliations that reflect his commitment to thought leadership and youth empowerment. He serves as International Media Advisor to the Youth’s UNESCO Club in the USA and as a volunteer Media Coordinator for PAEPI Global. In April 2024, he was appointed as a UNESCO Youth Peace Ambassador by the American University of Sovereign Nations and Youth’s UNESCO Club in the USA for his contribution to youth and peace through media. Additionally, he is a professional member of the American Marketing Association and is associated with the International News Media Association (INMA), reflecting his deep engagement with international media networks.

His insights into the challenges and opportunities of modern journalism have also been featured on the ads!podcast, where he shared strategies to bridge traditional media with the digital age. Basnet’s presence in such forums demonstrates not just his executive insight but also his ability to think ahead in a rapidly shifting global media environment.

Over the years, Basnet has been recognized with numerous national honors, including the Rastriya Khanpani Patrakarita Puraskar, Chairman’s Excellence Award, Best Performer of the Year, and the Corona Yodya Service Award. He has also received a Recommendation from the Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation (America Chapter) and another from the Canadian Multicultural Council – Asians in Ontario, attesting to his distinguished contributions to global media. His honorary title as a UNESCO Youth Peace Ambassador further underscores the social and cultural impact of his work.

Today, based in Kathmandu and rooted in his native Panauti, Manoj Basnet continues to lead by example. He champions the values of journalistic freedom, public accountability, and strategic innovation in every sphere of media influence he touches. With over 17 years of diverse industry experience and unwavering dedication to media excellence, Manoj Basnet stands among the world’s most impactful figures to watch in 2025, a leader not only shaping narratives but reshaping the future of journalism in Nepal and beyond.