AAJA-Asia has 100 members working or freelancing in broadcast, print and online media. Our network stretches from Seoul and Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong, to Bangkok, Mumbai, Nepal and the Philippines. Join the family.

You are not only supporting the goals and ideals of the Asian American Journalists Association in promoting fair and accurate news coverage, you are also committing yourself to a career that is built on challenges as well as friendships.

AAJA’s mission is four-fold:

1. To provide a means of association and support among Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists.
2. To provide encouragement, information, advice and scholarship assistance to Asian American and Pacific Islander students who aspire to professional journalism careers.
3. To provide to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community an awareness of news media and an understanding of how to gain fair access.
4. To research and point out when news media organizations stray from accuracy and fairness in the coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

AAJA membership is based on the calendar year, January to December, regardless of when dues are received. Membership registration submitted today is good through December 31, 2013 (starting October 1, 2012).

There are three ways to obtain a registration form for membership:

1. Click here to register online.

2. Click here (PDF) to download a printable copy of the AAJA membership form.

3. Contact AAJA directly for a membership application form, national@aaja.org.

Instructions to join or renew … all you need to know here.

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10 reasons to join AAJA-Asia for 2013

1. Discounted registration to the third annual journalism conference in Hong Kong in May.

The regional conference was a big hit in 2011 and 2012, with several exciting speakers (see 2012′s program).

2. AAJA members in Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo host regular networking events

where old friends can meet new faces (see here for some of last year’s events).

3. Find a network of journalists wherever you travel in Asia.

AAJA members are excited to meet with cohorts from the US or other parts of Asia. Just give us a shout. In September, AAJA journalists from Seoul, Taipei and Beijing met up for brunch in Tokyo! And Hong Kong had a visitor from New York:

4. Be the first to know about job openings.

AAJA-Asia members are well-connected and always keep an eye out for postings that could help fellow AAJA-ers. Alerts include openings for scholarships, fellowships and training programs too (see last year’s listings).

5. Students get nearly 60% off the full membership price – that’s only US$25.

But really, you can’t put a price on networking and mentoring opportunities – not to mention all the student programs that AAJA offers.

6. You don’t have to be a full-time journalist or a journalism student to be a member.

Former journalists, public or community affairs representatives of bona-fide news companies, and non-journalists who have particular expertise or services they can offer AAJA can join at the associate level. Non-journalist members must be approved by the chapter or recommended by at least one board member.

(Side note: Freelancers are welcome too! As well as those who are between jobs. They can join at the full membership level.)

7. AAJA’s support system includes

a mentorship program for journalists in print, broadcast and online; an executive leadership program; and even legal counseling – members can get a free 30-minute phone consultation with AAJA’s legal counsel, Don K. Tamaki and Dale Minami of Minami Tamaki LLP.

8. It’s a new era, and staying connected with journalists like yourself is more important now than ever before.

Economic times can be tough on news organizations, but couple that with the excitement of social media and the burgeoning influence of Asia on the world stage … and it can be a lot to handle.

AAJA-Asia members are all for supporting growth and learning new ideas. Check out our 2012 mini-conference in Tokyo, which featured a mobile journalism workshop and panel discussions on social media and Diaoyu/Senkaku islands dispute.

9. AAJA members get discounted registration for the annual National AAJA Convention in New York 2013.

Save the date for Aug. 21-24, 2013.

10.Watch this: