Paris, 05 October 2023 – With a mandate to advance democratic safeguards to the global communication and information space, Paris-based Forum on Information and Democracy is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael L. Bak as its new Executive Director.
Michael brings more than two decades of experience across international development, peacebuilding, diplomacy and tech policy. Throughout his career, he has sustained a strong commitment to democratic governance, human rights and information integrity. Combined with diverse experience with government, civil society, academia and the private sector, He is well-positioned to lead the Forum into a new era of growth and impact in support of the Partnership on Information and democracy.
Currently consisting of 51 state signatories, the Partnership unites democratic governments committed to ensuring democratic safeguards in the information ecosystem. The Forum drives multi–stakeholder processes to develop actionable recommendations for governments and the private sector to enhance democratic safeguards in the global information and communication space.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the Forum on Information and Democracy,” said Christophe Deloire, Chair of the Forum and Secretary-General of Reporters without Borders (RSF). “The Board of Directors conducted an extensive search, and Michael emerged as the standout candidate. His passion for our mission and his proven track record in advancing democracy make him the ideal choice to lead our organisation.”
Michael shares a vision of the Forum as a trusted global partner to democracies, civil society and academia serving as a lighthouse as we navigate the information chaos and pollution we face every day. The Forum’s efforts will advance state-of-the-art research, establish a common understanding of the impacts on democratic governance of new and frontier technologies, and create and advocate for appropriate regulatory change and oversight of private interests exploiting the information ecosystem.
“I am honoured to join the Forum as its new Executive Director, “ said Michael Bak. “I am deeply committed to the democratic oversight of our information space and the new technologies shaping it. I look forward to working closely with the State Signatories of the Partnership on Information and Democracy, our civil society and academic partners, and importantly our talented staff and committed board members to further our goals, create impact and secure lasting change.”
Michael Bak’s appointment follows a comprehensive executive search process conducted by the Board of Directors of the Forum on Information and Democracy, with the assistance of the executive search firm YourVoice.