Khadija Patel is a globally recognized journalist, editor, and media innovator committed to strengthening journalism as a public good. She currently serves as the Head of Programmes at the International Fund for Public Interest Media, where she leads initiatives that support independent media outlets in building sustainable models for impactful reporting worldwide.
Patel is the former Editor-in-Chief of South Africa’s Mail & Guardian, one of the country’s most influential investigative news publications. Her tenure was marked by bold editorial leadership and an unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity.
She is also a co-founder of The Daily Vox, a youth-centered media platform that amplifies underrepresented voices in South African society, particularly those of young people navigating the country’s complex socio-political landscape.
Beyond the newsroom, Khadija serves as Chairperson of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists defending press freedom and independent journalism around the world.
Her journalism has been featured in some of the world’s most respected outlets, including:
Sky News Al Jazeera the Guardian Quartz City Press Daily Maverick
Khadija is also a research associate at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she contributes to academic and policy discourse on media, society, and democracy.
Known for her fierce advocacy for press freedom, media sustainability, and diversity in journalism, Khadija Patel continues to shape the future of media innovation in the Global South. She is passionate about empowering media as a cornerstone of democracy and accountability.