About SAJA

The South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) was formed in March 1994 with 18 members and was incorporated as a New York non-profit organization in 1996.

SAJA serves as a networking and resource forum for journalists of South Asian origin and journalists interested in South Asia or the South Asian Diaspora.

Its mission includes acting as a resource to facilitate and promote thorough, accurate coverage of South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, including South Asians in North America. This includes coverage of media freedom and censorship issues affecting South Asian communities.

As a journalism organization, SAJA staunchly believes in the First Amendment's promise of freedom of speech and also that a vital and free press is necessary to the well being of every nation.

To achieve SAJA’s mission more effectively, in 2003, SAJA helped in the formation of SAJA Group, Inc. a non-profit 501c)(3) organization which carries out most of the programs and activities hitherto conducted by SAJA.

SAJA and SAJA Group are not political advocacy groups. They do not take stands on the politics of South Asia, for example. As an organization of journalists, SAJA is nonpartisan. As a charitable organization, SAJA Group’s focus is to serve the public through dissemination of information, educational and training programs to promote fair and accurate coverage of South Asia and South Asian diaspora.

SAJA and SAJA Group jointly host a national convention each June in New York. City at Columbia University.

Each year, the two organizations work together to honor outstanding achievement by journalists covering South Asia and South Asians through awards and provide scholarships to students aspiring to enter the profession of journalism.

Please visit our constantly updated SAJA Stylebook for Covering South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora.

SAJA works through a volunteer board and uses volunteer coordinators in each chapter to organize activities.

For additional information on the range of services and resources provided by SAJA Group and SAJA, please visit the Resources section.