The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2022!
In 2022, the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas marked two decades of courses, conferences and publications that have strengthened journalism around the world.
When we started the Knight Center 20 years ago, I could not have imagined that we would have such a huge impact for so long," Alves said. "Initially the center was meant to focus only in Latin America and the Caribbean for four years. Later, it became global and here we are celebrating 20 years!"
Celebrations began in August with an anniversary event focused on global stories of impact. Shortly after, the Knight Center announced it received a $4 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to reorganize, expand and strengthen its operations.
We hope you'll explore this page, which features a history of the Knight Center and, most importantly, testimonials from journalists whose careers and lives have been touched by the Knight Center's programs.
This video is from the 20th anniversary event marking the beginning of our celebrations. It look place at the Knight Center's home at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin.
Courses
ISOJ
Publications
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KNIGHT CENTER
2002
KNIGHT CENTER LAUNCHES
Knight Center was launched at AEJMC-2002 conference, held on August 7- 10 in Miami Beach, Florida. John S. and James L. Knight Foundation provided a $2-million grant for four years.
KNIGHT CENTER PRESENTS ITS FIRST PROJECT
Following the Knight Center's course, "Investigative Journalism: Ethics, Techniques, and Dangers," held on August 31, 2002, in Rio de Janeiro, journalist Marcelo Beraba invited 44 other journalists from Brazilian newsrooms to start a professional association, Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (ABRAJI).
2003
JOURNALISM IN THE AMERICAS BLOG PUBLISHES FOR 1ST TIME
The Knight Center launched the Journalism in the Americas Blog, which covered journalism and press freedom on the American continents and published in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
FIRST AUSTIN FORUM IS HELD
The Knight Center holds the first Austin Forum on Journalism in the Americas from Feb. 14 - 15, 2003 for journalists, journalism trainers, and advocates for independent media throughout the Americas to discuss ways to collaborate and expand the reach of their work. It was held annually until 2013.
Second Austin Forum in 2004
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM LAUNCHES
The Knight Center launched its Distance Learning Program in October 2003. From 2003 to 2012, it offered more than 100 courses that reached 7,000 journalists.
2004
ISOJ ADDS RESEARCH COMPONENT
Five years after its founding in 1999, ISOJ becomes a two-day event with academic and research panels added to the program.
2007
KNIGHT CENTER RECEIVES NEW FUNDING
Knight Foundation pledges additional $1.6 million over five years. The support helps to transform the Knight Center into a digital media center and an incubator for new journalism organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2008
FIRST COLOQUIO IBEROAMERICANO IS HELD
On April 4, 2008, the Knight Center holds the first Ibero-American Colloquium on Digital Journalism, a small conference in Spanish that convenes the many journalists, media executives and scholars who attend ISOJ from Latin America, Spain and Portugal. The conference promotes a thoughtful discussion about the evolution of online journalism with a regional focus.
First Ibero-American Colloquium on Digital Journalism.
2011
FIRST #ISOJ JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED
ISOJ launches a peer-reviewed journal, #ISOJ. It features original academic research across a wide range of methodologies relevant to the study of journalism and emerging technologies.
2012
FIRST JOURNALISM MOOC IS OFFERED
On Oct. 28, 2012, the Knight Center launched its first massive open online course, or MOOC, "Introduction to Infographics and Data Visualization." Taught by Alberto Cairo, it had over 2,000 participants from 109 countries.
Knight Center's first MOOC, taught by Alberto Cairo
2014
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM GROWS EXPONENTIALLY
In 2014, the Knight Center has seen its first major increase in the number of its online students. In a single year, the Knight Center's journalism courses attracted 30,000 participants.
2018
FIRST SELF-DIRECTED COURSE LAUNCHES
Knight Center launches its first self-directed course, "Data Visualization for Storytelling and Discovery." It was the Knight Center's first-ever course to be held in three languages simultaneously: English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
2019
ISOJ CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Founded in 1999 by Professor Rosental Alves, ISOJ celebrated its 20th anniversary in April 2019 at a symposium that gathered nearly 500 participants from 44 countries.
ISOJ celebrates its 20th Anniversary
2020
LATAM JOURNALISM REVIEW LAUNCHES
Knight Center launches LatAm Journalism Review (LJR), a digital magazine about press freedom and the state of the media in Latin America and the Caribbean. After 17 years, the Journalism in the Americas Blog is retired.
2021
KNIGHT CENTER ADAPTS TO COVID-19
The Knight Center found itself in a unique position to quickly adapt to training during a pandemic, as its programs have always embraced online learning. Most notably, it offered multiple courses, hosts webinars and created a hub in multiple languages that centered on covering the COVID-19 crisis and reached thousands around the world.
Experts discuss COVID-19 pandemic during a Knight Center webinar.
2022
KNIGHT CENTER CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
On Aug. 31, 2022, the Knight Center marked its 20th Anniversary by celebrating its journey and impact during a special seminar held at the University of Texas at Austin's Moody College of Communication.
The Knight Center celebrated its 20th Anniversary sharing stories of impact from around the world.
KNIGHT CENTER RECEIVES $4-MILLION GRANT
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awards the Knight Center with a $4-million grant to reorganize, expand and strengthen its operations.
Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas
School of Journalism and Media
1 University Station A1000
University of Texas Austin, TX 78712
Phone: 512-471-1391
Fax: 512-471-7979
E-mail: knightcenter@austin.utexas.edu