Our Program: Promoting the free flow of news in the public interest

This program makes tangible changes that improve the quality and free flow of news in the public interest around the world. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the year-long program sends international media professionals to countries where there are opportunities to promote reliable, insightful journalism that holds officials accountable. Launched in 1994, the program now receives support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Media Development Loan Fund. 

 

Knight International Journalism Fellows are establishing new journalism associations, launching journalism schools, creating web-based databases to track corruption, establishing news delivery services via cell phone and creating digital platforms to share content.

 

In Guatemala, Fellow Maria Martin’s trainee produces radio reports for on-air broadcast in Spanish and Mayan.

The program’s 13 health journalism Fellowships in sub-Saharan Africa will develop a cadre of journalists who can provide responsible information on critical health issues like HIV/AIDS. The new African Development Journalism Fellowships program will improve news coverage of critical development issues such as agriculture, employment, microfinance and sanitation in sub-Saharan Africa. These Africa-based Fellowship programs are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

Each year, the Knight International Journalism Fellowships program recognizes international journalists who demonstrate an extraordinary devotion to the craft by upholding the highest journalistic standards despite overwhelming challenges.

 

This year’s Knight Award winners, Belarus editor Aliaksei Karol and Ugandan human rights reporter Frank Nyakairu, were selected for their unswerving dedication to media independence despite government harassment and risks to their personal safety. Karol and Nyakairu are among 26 Knight International Journalism Award recipients selected for their commitment to high-quality journalism since 1998.  Award winners receive a trip to the United States and a $1,000 cash prize, which was presented November 12 at ICFJ’s Annual Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. Click here for more information about the 2008 Knight Awards 

 

Our Regional Advisory Boards: On-the-ground experts provide vital intelligence

Knight International’s six advisory boards help us identify the most-promising countries, effective projects and best media experts to serve as Fellows. Five regional advisory boards for Asia/Pacific, Eurasia/Former Soviet Union, Latin America/Caribbean, Mideast/North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa include distinguished media leaders, local journalists and media development experts from those regions. The sixth board is an at-large committee made up of experts from around the world who look at media development from a global perspective.

 

Our Partners

Indonesian Fellow Harry Surjadi (center) and trainees work in the field to develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues in East Timor.

Knight International’s partners represent media organizations dedicated to raising professional standards around the world. The program works with local journalism organizationson year-long projects aimed at enhancing the quality of coverage and supporting independent media.

Knight International accepts applications from potential partner organizations and suggestions for innovative project ideas on a rolling basis.Since 1994, Knight International has worked with more than 150 journalism organizations in 81 countries.

Click here for our online Partner application form

For a list of our current Partners, click here

For our Partner Directory, click here