Date: September 4, 2025
The South Asian Journalists Federation (SAJF) held its Executive Committee online meeting on September 3, 2025, chaired by SAJF President Geetartha Pathak. The meeting saw participation from representatives of journalists’ unions from five South Asian countries, alongside Jane Worthington, Director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia-Pacific.The meeting focused on critical issues surrounding media freedom and the state of journalism in South Asia.
SAJF expressed deep concern over the repeated attacks on journalists in Bangladesh and the government’s failure to ensure their safety and security. Additionally, the committee voiced grave alarm over the new media law in the Maldives, which threatens to curb media rights and undermine press freedom.Hujatullah Mujadidi, representing the Afghanistan National Journalists Union, provided a briefing on the challenging media rights situation in Afghanistan. To align with IFJ regulations, the SAJF restructured its executive body, nominating Hujatullah Mujadidi as Vice President and Indira Nawagmuwa, President of the Federation of Media Employees and Trade Unions (FMETU), as Treasurer.IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jane Worthington updated the committee on the upcoming Congress and the election process for the Federation of Asia-Pacific Journalists (FaPAJ).
SAJF leaders, in turn, shared details of their ongoing activities and initiatives with the IFJ representative.The meeting also expressed unwavering solidarity with Palestinian journalists and strongly condemned the killing of journalists due to Israeli attacks, calling for an end to violence against media professionals.SAJF remains committed to advocating for press freedom, protecting journalists’ rights, and fostering solidarity across the region and beyond.Issued by:
(Shakeel Ahmed)
Secretary General, South Asian Journalists Federation (SAJF)
Contact: shakeeldm@yahoo.com
