Flagship honour
Courage in Journalism
For a journalist who kept reporting in the public interest despite threats or pressure.
Nominate someoneWhat we do
When one journalist is threatened, every newsroom is.
SIJU is a union of working journalists dedicated to the protection, welfare and empowerment of the people who report the news — from district stringers to national channels, in every language South India reports in.
- 01
Safety & protection
Rapid support when journalists face threats, attacks or harassment for their reporting.
- 02
Legal aid
Guidance and representation on cases, complaints, defamation notices and media rights.
- 03
Fair work
A collective voice on pay, contracts, job security and hours for staff and freelancers.
- 04
Press identity
A union press card and certificate anyone can verify, so members are recognised in the field.
- 05
Training
Workshops on safety, digital security, fact-checking and new tools — in regional languages.
- 06
Welfare
A welfare fund and guidance on insurance and schemes for members and their families.
6States & UT
4+Newsroom languages
24.10Launch day
1Union for all media
Six regions
One union. Six chapters. Help close to home.
வணக்கம்
Tamil Nadu
Tamil
Convener TBAനമസ്കാരം
Kerala
Malayalam
Convener TBAನಮಸ್ಕಾರ
Karnataka
Kannada
Convener TBAనమస్కారం
Andhra Pradesh
Telugu
Convener TBAనమస్కారం
Telangana
Telugu · Urdu
Convener TBAவணக்கம்
Puducherry
Tamil
Convener TBA
Our charter
Six promises to every member.
Draft- We will stand with any journalist threatened for their work.
- We will fight for fair pay, written contracts and decent hours.
- We will defend the right to report — against intimidation and censorship.
- We will support members’ families in crisis through a transparent welfare fund.
- We will uphold accuracy and ethics, and resist misinformation and pressure.
- We will train the next generation, in every language we report in.
SIJU Media Honours · proposed
Honouring the journalism South India deserves.
A first draft of award categories. Browse them, then suggest changes or nominees.
Next generation
Young Journalist of the Year
For outstanding work in the first five years of a career.
NominateA career of service
Lifetime Achievement
For a lifetime of journalism that shaped South India’s public life.
Suggest a nameLaunch day
Saturday, 24 October 2026.
The founding committee is introduced, the charter is adopted and founding members receive their press cards.
Next: state chapter meetings in all six regions from November. Help organise yours →
Membership
Join the union. Help shape it.
Open to working journalists in print, TV, radio, digital, photo and video — staff or freelance.
- Safety & protection support
- Legal guidance & assistance
- Union press card & certificate
- A collective voice on pay
- Training in your language
- Welfare fund for families
- Vote in union elections
- Invitation to the launch
Founding committee
Announced on 24 October.
- PresidentTo be announced
- General SecretaryTo be announced
- TreasurerTo be announced
- Convener · Tamil NaduTo be announced
- Convener · KeralaTo be announced
- Convener · KarnatakaTo be announced
- Convener · Andhra PradeshTo be announced
- Convener · TelanganaTo be announced
- Convener · PuducherryTo be announced
Member services
Help when you need it.
- Report a threatThreats, attacks or harassment linked to your reporting
- Ask for legal aidCases, notices, complaints and media-rights questions
- Union press cardIssued to members after launchSoon
- Verify a memberCheck a SIJU press card onlineSoon
- Welfare fundSupport for members’ families in crisisSoon
- Training calendarWorkshops in your region and languageSoon
Support the work
When a journalist is in trouble, the union is the first call.
Contributions to the welfare fund will pay for legal support, emergency help and training.