JDGD Saraf Trust is a Jammu and Kashmir based independent non-profit dedicated to promoting and strengthening conscientious journalism.
"The power of the press is neither a gift bestowed on us by any capitalist nor an estate conferred on us by any government. It is a trust placed in our hands by the people and to use it honestly is our conscientious duty."
A Vision of Journalism
"A journalist has to keep his readers abreast of the changing events of the ever-changing world, expose the crooked designs of the authorities, and give vent to the public opinion in such a way that its grievances may be redressed, wrongs rectified, rights preserved and democratic principles upheld. The all-round duties of a journalist consist in condemning high-handedness, uprooting cruelty, defending the oppressed and the downtrodden, putting a stop in injustice, helping to provide food for the hungry and employment for the unemployed, removing social evils, and imparting education to the public for their spiritual and mental development."
- Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, A Vision of journalism address at the Newspapers Editors Conference, Srinagar, August 20, 1942
We are living in the information age. The twenty first century has revolutionized how information is created, interpreted and propagated. With tools like smartphones, and tiny devices to create audio and video media, and applications to share and propagate the creations through social media the lines between facts and opinions. On the one hand, the technological advances have democratized content creation, placed gadgets in the hand of ordinary citizens and empowered them to become "Citizen Journalists". On the other hand, the lines between real and fake news have blurred. The temptation to "go viral" can overpower the commitment to facts. But a reporter must always uphold the golden rule of journalism - "Facts are sacred, comments free".
Conscientious journalists are the conscience keepers of a nation. A true journalist must make a dispassionate study of day-to-day events in the right perspective, offer fearless comments couched in decent and appropriate language on the political, economic, cultural, social and other aspects of life. It is not as easy as it sounds! Its completion involves hard labour, well-balanced judgment, and skills for donning the various hats. Journalism is an exacting and arduous mission. To survive and thrive in a demanding profession such as journalism, one needs to build an armour of skills, attitudes and guiding values. JDGD Saraf Trust aims to support journalists in building this armour. Through its multifaceted activities, the Trust seeks to enable, encourage and empower journalists to perform their all-round duties with courage and honesty.