About

Sajad Rasool is a journalist and activist from India-controlled Kashmir, with a passion for empowering marginalised communities whose voices are often overlooked by mainstream media. He co-directed Kashmir Unheard in 2014 after completing his Masters degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir. Since then, he has dedicated his career to producing high-quality, impactful video reports that shed light on the most pressing issues facing his community. KU is part of larger network of an International community media and human rights organisation, Video Volunteers. He also has expertise in digital security and podcasting.

Over the past eight years, Sajad has trained and mentored over 40 Community Correspondents from Jammu and Kashmir, teaching them the art of filmmaking and storytelling in the conflict. Together, his team at Kashmir Unheard has produced over 1500 video reports, focusing on stories that are often ignored by mainstream media. Sajad has also forged strong partnerships with local human rights organisations such as the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement and Amnesty International.

In addition to his work at Kashmir Unheard, Sajad is actively involved in several civil society organizations, including the J&K Right to Information Movement. He is a prolific writer and producer, he has worked as director and producer for several short films in the conflict ridden Kashmir valley. His work has regularly featured in leading publications such as Huffington Post, Aljazeera, IJNET, Firstpost, and others. Through his storytelling, Sajad has helped to build dialogue among communities and highlight narratives that promote democratic values and human rights.

Sajad’s work has been widely recognized and celebrated. He is an Acumen India fellow (2019), a Fellow at Reporters Without Borders (2019), and a Gather fellow at Seeds of Peace (2020). He has also worked as a consultant for Tactical Tech, a Berlin-based organization that focuses on gathering visual evidence. Currently, Sajad is pursuing his Masters in Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom under the Rotary Peace Fellowship program. With his deep commitment to human rights and social justice, Sajad is truly an expert in his field and an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a positive impact on the world.

Below are a few video profiles of Sajad’s work.

Video Portrait by Reporters Without Borders, Germany – 2019