John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford
We help journalism leaders succeed in improving the access to information people need to create and sustain democratic communities.
- "In 2026, local journalism will make substantial deposits in the trust of their communities by actually showing up, and creating value in ways that AI never can." – Andrew Losowsky
- “As democratic spaces shrink and misinformation accelerates, the answer is not less journalism but smarter, stronger, collective journalism.” – Jose Zamora, regional director for the Americas at the Committee to Protect Journalists
- "much of the work journalists produce now meets our audiences in the form of isolated and incremental information blips on their phones and feeds," – Asraa Mustufa buff.ly/aCzmCOB
- "Trust determines whether you’re documenting history or adding to people’s confusion." – Kristen Muller #LocalNews
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is right to call the arrest of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort what it is: an assault on the First Amendment and the public’s right to know. We stand with CPJ and all the reporters who work to keep the public informed.
- The JSK Fellowships stands with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and with every journalist doing the hard, necessary work of bearing witness. The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are alarming, and an escalation of attacks on the press in the United States. t.co/3Ukv8sSRyj
- "For years, we’ve talked about the death of parachute journalism. In 2026, the story won’t just be its demise, but the rise of local journalism, reimagined for a global stage." –Amie Ferris-Rotman #journalism
- “We’ll see our field acknowledge that journalism without strategy is just storytelling. And storytelling alone isn’t public service.”
- "we as an industry need to (and can) decrease our dependence on [Big Tech] and their algorithms." – Sérgio Spagnuolo buff.ly/zwFFpX3
- "Fake and exaggerated resumes have always existed, but now, thanks to the rise of AI tools, it’s incredibly hard to know who is even real." —Andrew Losowsky
- “Big Tech was one lever to get our journalism to the people it was meant for, but it was never the only one.”
- "It took me a few years, one pandemic and a library science degree to realize I didn’t need to rebuild trust in journalism. I just needed to move the newsroom to where that trust already lives: the public library."
- What is local journalism’s value to audiences — and how can we grow it?
- "Over the past three years, we’ve won lots of awards for our journalism... but my larger goal of expanding investigative capacity at other news organizations is still unmet."
- ”The threads of community are wearing thin in the face of distraction by disinformation and algorithmic empires.“
- ”There are so many things the people in this field want to be able to do differently than the legacy newsrooms of yesterday, maybe even better.“ – Sarah Alvarez
- After years of pioneering audience-centered models like Curious City, The Citizens Agenda, and Hearken, Jennifer Brandel’s work as a 2026 JSK Fellow explores how journalism might shift from content creation to connection-building.
- “A lot of my efforts haven’t been as effective as I’d like them to be,”
- The Floodlight Project, co-founded by JSK alum Paul Radu, is opening applications for its 2nd Investigative Journalism Game Jam. It’s a chance to turn investigations into interactive video games and connect with new audiences, especially younger readers. buff.ly/SZj52kN
- As state laws targeting trans people have multiplied, news coverage has shifted away from documenting their real-world impact. JSK Fellow Kae Petrin examines why newsroom attention often turns to political strategy and cultural controversy instead of enforcement and consequences. buff.ly/pGwMOyy
- 2026 JSK Fellow Ramsey George uses his time at Stanford to reflect on leadership, ethics and the values that shape organizations. His latest article explores what “good leadership” might look like in independent media today. buff.ly/MQkIC9B
- As a 2026 JSK Fellow, Asraa Mustufa explores how platform-driven news makes information easier to manipulate, and what it would take to redesign distribution for improved clarity, context, and trust. buff.ly/kjaM5HH
- Dictatorships thrive on fear but resilience thrives on community. JSK associate director Djordje Padejski shares strategies for survival from his experiences with oppressive regimes, war and political turmoil. buff.ly/bsEP3ce
- As the founder of Project C, new JSK board member Liz Kelly Nelson helps journalists build independent, creator-led careers. In this CJR interview, she shares why that shift isn’t a break from journalistic values, but a challenge to make sure they survive and evolve.
- What if the answer to AI in news is not faster or louder, but more human. In her Nieman prediction, JSK alum Susie Cagle explains why voice, craft and clear authorship are journalism’s way forward.
- In a new essay, 2026 JSK Fellow Allison Herrera examines the pressure on Indigenous journalists to prove objectivity by distancing themselves from their communities, a challenge familiar to many journalists from marginalized backgrounds. buff.ly/ihyQ6OJ
- If the media has played a role in dividing us, can it also bring us back together? As a 2026 JSK Fellow, Elise Pepple explores how journalism can meet our need for connection, not just information. Read more: buff.ly/2aerDjo
- At Stanford, 2026 JSK Fellow Veengas explores how nonprofit journalism can survive in cultures where media is expected to serve power. Her work connects local struggles to global press freedom. Read more: buff.ly/7NE8m2U
- 🎧 Never miss an opportunity to hear JSK alum Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD. in conversation about the importance of journalism. buff.ly/TmIYhvQ
- What if every library was a newsroom? 2026 JSK Fellow Terry Parris Jr. is testing how community storytelling and local knowledge can reshape journalism from the ground up. It’s a fresh vision for rebuilding local news through trust and connection. buff.ly/KvCbfmo
- "Sooner or later, most journalists face a moment like this, when someone in power makes them the story." buff.ly/AxBMve6
- After years of pioneering audience-centered models like Curious City, The Citizens Agenda, and Hearken, Jennifer Brandel’s work as a 2026 JSK Fellow explores how the field might shift from content creation to connection-building. buff.ly/daD8Zw9
- By focusing on what readers actually need and enjoy, 2026 JSK Fellow Eric Ulken is rethinking how local news earns support. His work at Stanford aims to help publishers foster deeper, more meaningful ties with their audiences. buff.ly/xINfZui
- As the world confronts conflict, disinformation and eroding trust, 2026 JSK Fellow John-Allan Namu asks what journalism must become to meet this moment. He writes about how news can serve communities in a time defined by instability and noise. buff.ly/MVfQVow
- Congrats to JSK alum Sara Lomax and URL Media on securing a $5M Knight Foundation investment to scale their visionary work. 🌟
- A reminder for JSK applicants who’ve already begun: Your story is worth sharing. Hit “submit” by 1pm PT today to be considered for the next cohort. Give yourself a shot at something transformative. jsk.smapply.org
- ⏰ We’re in the final stretch! The JSK Journalism Fellowships is looking for courageous journalists who are committed to pushing the field forward. If you have a big idea—or even the spark of one—we want to hear from you. 🔗 Apply now: bit.ly/jsk27 🚨 Deadline: Dec 3 at 1pm PT buff.ly/YjxafDk
- Still deciding whether to apply to the JSK Fellowships? Start with our FAQ. Everything you need to know about the program is there, from the application process to what we’re looking for. 🔗 bit.ly/jsk-faq ⏰ Applications are due Dec 3 by 1pm PT. #fellowship #journalism #jskstanford
- In a new Medium post, 2026 JSK Fellow Sérgio Spagnuolo examines how newsrooms became dependent on Big Tech’s distribution systems and what it will take to reclaim the reach, impact and independence of journalism. Read more for what a new path could look like: buff.ly/q63E5yp
- ⏳ We’re in the final stretch! The JSK Journalism Fellowships is looking for courageous journalists who are committed to pushing the field forward. If you have a big idea (or even the spark of one), we want to hear from you. Deadline is Dec 3 at 1pm PT. bit.ly/jsk27
- In a new Medium post, 2026 JSK Fellow Damaso Reyes writes about how creating the first investigative unit at a Black newspaper led to increased funding, expanded readership and awards. Now he’s using his time at Stanford to create a blueprint to do it again. buff.ly/dzNNbXg
- In a new conversation, JSK alum Sarah Alvarez, founder of Outlier Media and now the James B. Steele Chair in Journalism Innovation at Temple University, lays out a case for reporting on and staying with an issue until conditions actually change.
- In a new Medium post, 2026 JSK Fellow Dessi Lange-Damianova reflects on the power of interdisciplinary learning and chance encounters during her first months at Stanford, capturing both the abundance and humility of the JSK Fellowship experience. Read more: buff.ly/9X2GvwR
- Take a step toward a new chapter in your journalism career with 9 months of discovery, mentorship and leadership training at the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford. Apply by Dec 3 at 1pm PT. buff.ly/QQ6QuK4
- In this clip from a recent Q&A, our director answers the question of whether it's worth applying again to the JSK Fellowships if you've tried in the past.
- ICYMI, the live Q&A hosted by JSK director Dawn Garcia is available on our YouTube page. It's an inside look at the fellowships experience plus a deep dive into tips for potential applicants. The top tip: beat the Dec 3 deadline! buff.ly/E7tYQWw
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- Effective leadership requires focus, adaptability and self-awareness. The JSK Fellowships help journalists develop those strengths so they can return to their communities to lead with intent and purpose. Apply now. buff.ly/oECMPJ2
- Congrats to JSK alum Tom Van de Weghe on his new book, Back to China. 👏 Drawn from more than 20 years of firsthand experience, his reflections go beyond the usual takes with a nuanced perspective on how the country’s changes affect us all. 🌐 #journalism buff.ly/fXPW9rK
- Powerful work from JSK alum Davíd Rodriguez Muñoz for the Detroit Free Press, documenting the care, love, and challenges of Michigan providers supporting children with special needs. Story by Beki San Martin. #Photojournalism
