MIAMI — The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation remains committed to its founders’ intent to support journalism at home and abroad, and civic advancement in the communities where they owned newspapers. The sale of Knight Ridder to the McClatchy Co. will not affect the foundation’s operations.

Jack and Jim Knight founded both Knight Foundation and the newspaper company that became Knight Ridder. However, the two organizations are separate legal entities and function independent of each other.

Knight Foundation will continue to support journalism and free speech, and to build strong communities in the cities and towns where the Knight brothers operated newspapers, just as they intended when they created the national, independent foundation that bears their name.

“Jack and Jim Knight founded Knight Foundation to give back to the communities that gave them so much and to encourage the kind of journalism excellence that was the hallmark of their careers. That is the mission they gave us, and we intend to fulfill it. We will remain a national foundation that honors our local roots,” said Alberto Ibargüen, president of Knight Foundation.

Knight Foundation will continue to find opportunities to leverage its funding in ways that help to transform communities for the better.