To meet the challenges in the rapidly diversifying field of media and mass communication, the Government of Rajasthan took the momentous decision of establishing Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication (HJU). Constituted through the State Legislature's Act No. 11 of 2019, HJU is mandated to fill the gap in media education through teaching, training and research in journalism, mass communication and allied fields.

The university is named after Shri Haridev Joshi (1921-1995), a proud son of Rajasthan, in recognition of his rich legacy of public life and contribution to nation-building. A freedom fighter, public servant and an outstanding statesman of Rajasthan, Shri Joshi began his career as an active journalist reporting from the tribal areas of the state and went on to become the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He also served as the Governor of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.