KalimNews, Pokhara, Nepal, May 11, 2025: In a historic development for journalism in South Asia, the South Asia Journalists Federation (SAJF) was officially established today, marking a significant step toward uniting journalists across the region to confront critical challenges to press freedom and professional integrity. The formation ceremony, held at Niwas Hotel in Pokhara, Nepal, was a milestone in regional cooperation and media advocacy.
The SAJF was founded in alignment with the constitution of the Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists (FAPaJ), a regional body of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The federation comprises eight countries that are affiliated with the IFJ, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
During the event, a new committee was formed to lead the federation’s efforts. Geetartha Pathak, from the Indian Journalists Union, was unanimously elected as President, while Shakeel Ahmed of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) was appointed General Secretary. Other key office bearers include Siva Lamsal of Nepal Press Union (NPU) as Senior Vice President, Rashed Hadi of Afghanistan’s National Journalists Union (ANJU) as Vice President, and Khairuzzaman Kamal of Bangladesh Manabadhikar Sangbadik Forum as Treasurer. Representatives from Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka were inducted as executive body members.
The creation of the SAJF comes at a critical time for press freedom in South Asia, which is currently under unprecedented pressure. Recent years have witnessed a sharp decline in the region’s press freedom index, with numerous incidents of violence against journalists, legal harassment, and the imposition of severe charges on media professionals. Notably, the Bangladesh interim government has accused over 300 journalists of murder, further highlighting the precarious environment for media workers in the region.
In response to these alarming trends, the SAJF aims to serve as a robust monitoring and advocacy platform for protecting media freedom and safeguarding the rights of journalists. The federation will actively work to address critical issues, including promoting professional excellence, improving working conditions, and ensuring job security for journalists across South Asia.
“The establishment of the SAJF is not just a timely initiative—it is a necessity,” said Geetartha Pathak, President of SAJF. “Our mission is to support journalists in their fight for press freedom, to ensure their safety, and to uphold the values of free expression and journalistic integrity.”
The federation’s leaders are calling on governments, media organizations, and civil society to support their mission. “We urge all stakeholders to join us in creating an environment where journalists can perform their duties without fear of reprisal and contribute meaningfully to the democratic processes in our societies,” Pathak added.
With the launch of the SAJF, there is renewed hope for the protection and empowerment of media professionals across South Asia, a region where press freedom remains under constant threat.