FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2026

Renew your membership before dues increase on August 1!

Thank you for being part of the SAJA community. Your support helps us create quality programming, grant scholarships and awards, champion our members’ work and advocate for South Asian journalists across the industry. 

Because of your continued support, here’s what we’ve been able to accomplish so far in 2026:

1. Expanded our presence with “SAJA Comes to You” events across the country

   • In February, we hosted an Iftar dinner in Chicago 

   • In May, we held a panel discussion, “The Fourth Estate Under Pressure: Journalism at a Crossroads,” at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism in Chicago

   • We’re planning more events this fall in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Queens and New Jersey and at least one virtual event.
     

2. Awarded $30,000 in scholarships to six students

   • Using the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, we received applications from students all over the country and ensured a fair process using external judges, including journalists and professors
     

3. Revamped our monthly newsletter 

   • Our new and improved newsletter highlights members’ work across the country, and features interviews with South Asian authors, documentary filmmakers and others in the industry
     

4. Deepened relationships with partner organizations

   • We supported two SAJA board members to attend the Online News Association conference

   • We’re building strong partnerships with organizations like The Asian American Foundation 

   • We had a strong showing of SAJA members at the Asian American Journalists Association conference in Minneapolis

   • We sponsored two SAJA emerging leaders to attend the AAJA Executive Leadership Program
     

5. Expanded our awards to include a Documentary - Short category (40 minutes or less)

But we’re just getting started! 

Beginning on August 1, we're increasing our membership dues for the first time in decades, so that we can provide more ambitious programming, expand member benefits and ensure SAJA remains a thriving community for all South Asians for years to come. Read more about our rate increases here.

Renew your membership before then to lock in the current rate for another year. It's the best way to maximize your membership while supporting SAJA’s next chapter.

We’re excited for everything ahead and grateful for your continued support!

Thank you from the SAJA board!

Indira Somani, President

Safia Samee Ali

Shalina Chatlani

Sonali Gupta

Dipka Bhambhani Hesse

Esha Ray

Pia Sarkar

Rekha Shanmugam

Sree Sreenivasan

Mihir Zaveri

ABOUT US

Founded in March 1994 with just 18 members, the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) now represents more than 1,000 journalists of South Asian origin across the U.S. and Canada. SAJA serves as a network for training, inspiration, and support—not only for South Asian journalists but for anyone covering South Asia and its diaspora. SAJA also aims to improve the coverage of the subcontinent and its diaspora.