4 key takeaways from the 2026 Knight Media Forum
Meeting the challenging moment, and the importance of humans vs. AI
At a moment when the freedoms protected by the First Amendment feel both essential and tested — amid deep polarization, rapid technological change and an overwhelming flood of information — a central question comes into focus: What does it take to keep communities informed and rebuild trust?
That question shaped our largest-ever Knight Media Forum, where more than 1,100 journalists, funders, academics, artists and policymakers gathered in Miami to exchange ideas, wrestle with challenges and chart what comes next.
In her keynote, Knight Foundation President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth reflected on the role Knight plays — from investing in local journalism and research to supporting civic and cultural institutions — and why this work matters now more than ever.
“At its core, the First Amendment is about trust,” she said. “Jack and Jim Knight built their newspaper company on trust. They gave their readers something precious: reliable information. They knew that the First Amendment safeguards the free flow of information, that it protects our rights to hold, share and discover different perspectives… They knew that trust is the soul of democracy.”
Although Knight Media Forum has grown far beyond its roots as a journalism convening, local news is still front and center. You could see it in panels and breakout sessions covering everything from how newsrooms are reporting on immigration enforcement across the country to practical applications of AI, strategies for reaching Spanish-speaking audiences and new approaches to connecting with younger readers who are often more attuned to creators and influencers than to traditional outlets.
A standout moment for me was sharing the stage with Press Forward Director Dale Anglin to provide an update on the industry’s ambitious five-year initiative to strengthen local news. Here’s the headline: Press Forward now has 44 local chapters in 34 states, supported by more than 130 funders who collectively have invested over $400 million in the field, with more than 1,000 newsrooms benefiting.
Here are four key journalism takeaways from the event:
1. Journalism is meeting the moment.
With threats to democracy and the First Amendment looming large, it’s been a tough — and heroic — time to be a journalist on the front lines. Some reporters, like Georgia Fort, have been arrested while doing their jobs. Others have been attacked on the streets by immigration agents. At KMF, we heard from Colin Boyle, director of photography at Block Club Chicago, and Vanan Murugesan, executive director of Sahan Journal in St. Paul, Minnesota, about their recent experiences covering immigration enforcement and local protests in their respective cities.
”We were all able to keep our audience informed, hold federal agents accountable, showing what they’re doing,” Boyle said. “We were able to stay a little bit safer because there is safety in numbers. And we were all there together, documenting what’s happening, showing how our city is being impacted by immigration enforcement.”
Both speakers emphasized the emotional and physical toll of this work, particularly when facing violent encounters. They also highlighted the importance of collaboration across journalists and outlets, as well as the critical role of mental health support for journalists. The conversation underscored the long-term commitment these publications have to covering issues affecting immigrant communities — long after the national media attention fades.
2. Even in an AI world, the future is human.
AI was everywhere at KMF. Some panels focused on it directly, while others wove it into broader discussions. A clear theme emerged: we all must work to deeply understand it.
Jonathan Kanter, former U.S. Assistant Attorney General, made a strong case for the enduring value of quality local news. “Focus on the premium, the original, the human-centered journalism. And make it local,” he said.
His advice? Don’t rely solely on tech platforms and algorithms. Instead, build direct monetization through subscriptions, live events and sponsorships. News organizations have an opportunity not only to report the news, but also to bring communities together through shared experiences, Kanter said. “Human-centered content, voices and authority are where we’re going,” he said. “In a sea of AI and digital slop, people need trust in humans. They want it so desperately. Give it to them.”
3. Spanish-language news is finding its next chapter.
Spanish-language news in the United States is undergoing a significant transition. Even as the Spanish-speaking population grows — with more than 57 million people speaking Spanish at home — the long-standing dominance of television is declining, and audiences are increasingly turning to digital platforms and creators for information.
Data from the Pew Research Center shows that Latinos are more likely than the overall U.S. population to get news on social media, with more than twice as many regularly getting news on Instagram and TikTok.
Veteran journalist Jorge Ramos, who left Univision last year, reflected on this shift during the “Lost in Translation” panel, describing how the move to digital has reshaped his work and perspective.
“I have to become something else [on social media], something completely different,” he said. “I’m working more than ever. This is not retirement… [On social media] we can be pro-immigrant and we can be pro-Latino. We can be pro-democracy. We can take a position.”
Later, in a lunchtime conversation co-hosted by MacArthur Foundation, panelists discussed the nuanced Spanish-language news and information ecosystem in the United States, highlighting how millions of people consume news across Spanish, English and bilingual contexts. Grounded in both data and experience, speakers explored the growing diversity of news sources across the ecosystem. They focused on how trust is built, how audiences actually access information today, where gaps in funding and infrastructure remain and what is possible through stronger partnerships and collaboration.
“With many other Spanish-speaking news organizations, we have become each other’s therapists and support network during this time, and thanks to that support, we’re still finding joy in journalism,” said Maritza Félix, founder and director of Conecta Arizona.
4. Listen to your community and adapt to your audience.
If there was a recurring theme in conversations about the future of news, it was this: there is no one-size-fits-all answer to meeting audiences where they are — it requires deep knowledge of and connection with community.
Younger audiences, for example, are increasingly forming their news habits through social media — and often not with traditional outlets. According to Pew Research Center, 38% of people ages 18 to 29 say they get news from influencers on social media. Newsrooms can resist that reality — or learn from it.
In a panel I moderated, “Building Bridges,” we explored what this can look like in practice through a partnership between food creator Shawn Singh (known as ShawntheFoodSheep) and the Houston Chronicle. The collaboration, supported by the American Press Institute, drove new traffic and engagement––and, just as importantly, helped the newsroom experiment with different storytelling approaches.
“Working with Shawn has helped us build more of a creator mindset in the newsroom,” said Alejandra Matos, managing editor of the Chronicle. “The real metric of success is whether we’re trying new things and finding other ways of thinking and being in different places, in different ways.”
Another key lesson: Sometimes the best way to reach younger audiences is to put younger journalists in positions to lead. That’s what the Boston Globe did when it empowered Emily Schario to launch The B-Side in 2022, a newsletter that has grown to 60,000 subscribers, with 65% under age 35 and a 60% open rate. Schario spoke on “The Next Edition” panel about how The B-Side was born out of an internal “Innovation Day” at the Globe, where staff pitch creative ideas to leadership. She isn’t just writing a newsletter; she has also become a local influencer. “The goal of putting my face on the account is you’re creating a parasocial relationship with me, and by extension, with The B-Side,” she said.
Finally, a huge shoutout to our entire team at Knight. The care, creativity and behind-the-scenes work that went into convening this community in Miami were extraordinary. KMF brought together an incredible group of colleagues, grantees and partners for honest conversation and shared learning. We’re excited to carry the energy and ideas from this gathering into the work ahead.
Call-Outs & Resources
The Next Challenge for Media & Journalism is the largest competition open to nonprofit and for-profit media startups in the United States. The Next Challenge isn’t just about funding startups, it’s about accelerating ideas that help local communities stay informed, connected and engaged. The Challenge will award $250,000 to early-stage startups. Each division winner will receive a grant of up to $50,000, and a grand prize winner will receive an additional $25,000. Apply by March 10.
The New News Reality: Takeaways from the Pew-Knight Initiative slide deck
Once in a Lifetime: Jonathan Kanter slide deck
The 2026 Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards is now accepting nominations. Administered by The Miami Foundation, the awards honor excellence in investigative and public service reporting that exposes injustice, amplifies community voices and holds the powerful to account in South Florida. The awards include a $10,000 first prize, a $5,000 second prize and honorable mentions at $1,000. Submit a nomination now!
News @ Knight Credits
Written by Amalie Nash, with Mark Glaser
Edited by Amalie Nash, Atena Sherry, Sofia Bliss-Carrascosa and Kara Pickman