Free Journalist Foundation

Rauf Chandio is a respected journalist, seasoned media strategist, and the founding visionary behind the Free Journalist Foundation (FJF). With a career spanning over 25 years in print, broadcast, and development communication, Mr. Rauf has committed his life to using media as a tool for social change. He established FJF with a single goal in mind: to offer quality, free-of-cost education to children who otherwise had no access to learning opportunities.

Born on February 1, 1978, in the village of Bhanbho Khan Chandio (District Larkana), his journey began with grassroots community awareness and evolved into building one of Sindh’s most impactful nonprofit education networks. His vision, rooted in lived experience, continues to guide the organization’s mission to serve underprivileged communities through education, literacy, and empowerment.

Journalism Career & Media Contributions

Mr. Chandio began his journalism journey in 1995 as a field reporter for Daily Kawish, one of Sindh’s most prominent newspapers. Over the years, he worked as Chief Reporter and Bureau Chief across multiple leading dailies, including Daily Sham, Daily Khabroon, Daily Halchul, Daily Sindh, and Daily Tameer Sindh. These roles helped him shape public discourse and gain in-depth knowledge of Sindh’s socio-political landscape.

Moreover, he contributed over 50 articles, research stories, and investigative reports to the Sunday edition of The News International, a major English-language newspaper in Pakistan. This body of work gained national attention and showcased his ability to bridge regional issues with mainstream policy discussions.

In 2005, he joined Sindh TV as Bureau Chief for Hyderabad, further expanding his influence. Later, in 2008, he was appointed Director News & Current Affairs at Mehran TV, where he worked for more than 13 years. In this capacity, he not only led the newsroom but also hosted and directed some of Mehran TV’s most influential programs, such as:

• Stand Point (Live political debate)

• Sidhi Galh (Current affairs)

• Sindh Speaks (Policy and identity)

• Career Counselling (Youth empowerment)

• Education Metro (School-focused programming)

• Binat-e-Hawa (Women’s issues)

• Mehran Reports (Investigative documentaries)

These programs made Mehran TV a platform for open dialogue on education, social justice, youth development, and civic accountability. Through them, Mr. Rauf trained and mentored a new generation of journalists across Sindh.

Public Service & Development Sector Work

In addition to his media leadership, Mr. Chandio also contributed to the Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority (SIDA) as an Information, Education & Communication Officer from 2004 to 2005. During his tenure, he led the development of awareness campaigns, stakeholder surveys, newsletters, and rural communication tools to educate farming communities on sustainable irrigation and water rights.

His ability to navigate between journalism, advocacy, and governance gave him a unique advantage when transitioning into nonprofit work—culminating in the founding of the Free Journalist Foundation.

Academic Background

Mr. Rauf Chandio holds two Master’s degrees from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro—one in Sociology (2007) and another in Mass Communication & Media Studies (2014), where he graduated with high distinction. His academic foundation is complemented by an LLB degree, which has enriched his understanding of media law, constitutional rights, and education policy.

Throughout his academic life, Mr. Chandio was an award-winning debater, frequently securing top positions in school and college competitions. His ability to engage audiences with clarity and persuasion has remained a hallmark of his career—whether on paper, television, or stage.

Awards, Recognition & Influence

Over the decades, Mr. Rauf Chandio has earned the trust and admiration of colleagues, educators, policymakers, and civil society leaders. In 2018, he was elected as the General Secretary of the Hyderabad Press Club, a post that reflected his leadership within the journalist community and his commitment to press freedom.

More importantly, his legacy lives through the Free Journalist Foundation, where his work laid the cornerstone for what is now a thriving education ecosystem. Thanks to his groundwork:

• FJF now operates four fully-funded schools and two AALTP centers, collectively educating more than 2,500 students every year.

• These schools offer completely free education, books, and uniforms, giving children from low-income families access to the same academic quality as elite private institutions.

• His community engagement model continues through initiatives like the FJF Role Model Awards, Teacher Appreciation Ceremonies, and Youth Leadership Forums, which have honored dozens of grassroots changemakers across Sindh.

“Education is not charity—it’s a right. If we fail to deliver it to every child, we fail as a society.”
— Mr. Abdul Rauf Chandio