Founded in 1980 by social entrepreneur Bill Drayton, Ashoka finds, supports, and advance the impact of leading social entrepreneurs around the world. Since 1981, Ashoka has elected more than 1,800 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows. The fellows are chosen because they have innovative solutions to social problems and the potential to create lasting, visible change. As fellows, they are given living stipends, professional support and access to a global network of peers in more than 60 countries.

With the digital revolution turning journalism upside down and inside out, never before has the field had such entrepreneurial opportunity. Ashoka will use its tested selection criteria to find leading social entrepreneurs in journalism, criteria that align with Knight Foundation's elements of transformation.