News Media Alliance

News Media Alliance
Name	News Media Alliance
Founded	0 1992
Location	Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Key people	David Chavern (President & CEO, 2017–2023), Danielle Coffey (CEO, 2024–present)
Focus	Advocacy for news media industry
Website	https://www.newsmediaalliance.org

Contents

History
Mission and activities
Membership
Advocacy and lobbying
Leadership and governance
See also

News Media Alliance is a leading trade association representing the news media industry in the United States. It was formed through the merger of several legacy newspaper organizations and advocates for policies that support a sustainable future for journalism. The organization engages in significant lobbying efforts, legal advocacy, and industry research on behalf of its diverse membership, which includes publishers of local, regional, and national news.

History

The organization traces its origins to 1992 with the formation of the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), which itself was a consolidation of several older groups including the American Newspaper Publishers Association and the Newspaper Advertising Bureau. In 2016, the NAA merged with the Digital Content Next (DCN) association, broadening its focus beyond print. A major rebranding occurred in June 2017, when the NAA was renamed to its current identity to better reflect its mission in the digital era encompassing all news platforms. Key historical moments in its advocacy include early efforts on postal rates, battles over joint operating agreements, and, more recently, leading the charge for legislative measures like the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act.

Mission and activities

Its core mission is to promote and defend the business interests of the news publishing industry and the vital role of journalism in a democratic society. Primary activities include conducting and publishing industry research on revenue trends and audience metrics, providing legal analysis and amicus curiae briefs in pivotal court cases, and developing business resources and events for members. A central focus has been advocating for fair compensation from major digital platforms, notably Google and Facebook, for the use of news content. The organization also runs public awareness campaigns highlighting the value of professional journalism.

Membership

Membership is composed primarily of news organizations across the United States, ranging from large national entities like The New York Times Company and Gannett to hundreds of local and regional newspapers and digital-native publications. While historically rooted in newspaper publishing, membership now includes a growing number of digital-only news outlets and magazine publishers. Member benefits include access to proprietary research, legal and governmental affairs support, networking events like the annual MediaXchange conference, and collaborative initiatives aimed at developing new revenue models and industry standards.

Advocacy and lobbying

This area represents a major pillar of the organization's work, with a sustained focus on influencing federal policy in Washington, D.C.. It has been a principal advocate for the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which seeks to provide a temporary safe harbor from antitrust law for news publishers to collectively negotiate with online platforms. Other key lobbying priorities have included intellectual property protections, reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, postal rate regulations, and advertising tax issues. The organization frequently testifies before congressional committees and submits comments to federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the Copyright Office.

Leadership and governance

The organization is governed by a board of directors composed of executives from member companies, such as The Washington Post, McClatchy, and Advance Publications. David Chavern, former chief operating officer of the United States Chamber of Commerce, served as president and chief executive officer from 2017 until late 2023. In January 2024, Danielle Coffey, previously the organization's executive vice president and general counsel, was promoted to CEO. Day-to-day operations are managed from its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, with staff specializing in government affairs, legal policy, and communications.