Advocacy: A Unified Industry Voice
"For-profit, professional local newspapers are essential community institutions and the most effective way to protect and sustain local news at scale."
The core of the America's Newspapers mission is to be the voice and advocate for local newspapers across the political spectrum. The political and policy landscape remains challenging for local newspapers, with shifting regulations, rapid technological change, and declining trust shaping day-to-day operations. These pressures also show up inside the industry, where conversations about the future of local news often blur the lines between ownership models, funding structures, and long-term viability.
Against that backdrop, America’s Newspapers has stayed focused on the practical work: keeping local newspapers visible, involved, and understood in the places where decisions are made. In 2025, we strengthened relationships at both the national and state levels, met directly with policymakers, and worked to ensure that for-profit, family-owned newspapers are represented accurately and consistently in policy discussions.
Our goal is straightforward — to help local newspapers operate on fair footing and to keep their role as trusted, community-based institutions front and center as the landscape continues to evolve.
Against that backdrop, America’s Newspapers has stayed focused on the practical work: keeping local newspapers visible, involved, and understood in the places where decisions are made. In 2025, we strengthened relationships at both the national and state levels, met directly with policymakers, and worked to ensure that for-profit, family-owned newspapers are represented accurately and consistently in policy discussions.
Our goal is straightforward — to help local newspapers operate on fair footing and to keep their role as trusted, community-based institutions front and center as the landscape continues to evolve.
A significant milestone this year was the launch of the America’s Newspapers State Advocacy Coalition, now 20 members strong and growing. The coalition was created to support state press associations by coordinating information, sharing resources, and connecting states facing similar issues. It gives associations a simple way to surface challenges, compare approaches, and learn from one another in real time, reducing duplication and strengthening communication across the industry. ANSAC is not a policy body — it’s a practical support system that helps state associations do their work more efficiently and with greater clarity.
What this means for members:
Representation in policy discussions where local newspapers have too often been excluded or misunderstood.
A unified industry voice defending public notices and fair treatment of for-profit local newspapers.
Advocacy focused on long-term sustainability and recognition, not short-term fixes.
Representation in policy discussions where local newspapers have too often been excluded or misunderstood.
A unified industry voice defending public notices and fair treatment of for-profit local newspapers.
Advocacy focused on long-term sustainability and recognition, not short-term fixes.
Navigating the Impact of Artificial Intelligence
AI will shape the future of local news, and local newspapers need a voice in that conversation.
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how information is created, distributed, and discovered. For local newspapers, AI presents both opportunity and risk.
During 2025, America’s Newspapers engaged with partners, providers, and policy leaders to better understand AI’s implications. Our focus has been on helping members benefit from AI-driven tools and efficiencies while also addressing challenges related to copyright, content use, market power, and competitive fairness.
Just as important, we’ve made sure local newspapers are included in the broader discussions shaping AI’s future, ensuring their interests are represented as the technology—and its impact—continues to evolve.
During 2025, America’s Newspapers engaged with partners, providers, and policy leaders to better understand AI’s implications. Our focus has been on helping members benefit from AI-driven tools and efficiencies while also addressing challenges related to copyright, content use, market power, and competitive fairness.
Just as important, we’ve made sure local newspapers are included in the broader discussions shaping AI’s future, ensuring their interests are represented as the technology—and its impact—continues to evolve.
What this means for members:
- Leadership that balances AI opportunity with protection of newspaper content and business interests.
- Engagement with credible partners and policymakers shaping AI’s future.
- Advocacy that ensures local newspapers are included in emerging technology discussions.
Bringing the Industry Together: Meetings That Build and Collaborate
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At a time when the local newspaper industry is facing real pressure and rapid change, bringing people together matters more than ever.
One of America’s Newspapers’ most important roles is creating the environment for owners, executives, and partners to connect, compare notes, and work through shared challenges in person and without pretense. In 2025, meetings such as the Mega-Conference and Senior Leadership Conference, along with smaller, more focused gatherings and roundtables, were designed to encourage candid discussion, practical learning, and collaboration. These are working meetings grounded in the realities of running family-owned local newspapers. Looking ahead, the 2026 Mega-Conference in Austin on March 30 will be a key opportunity to continue that collaboration, and I encourage you to consider attending and bringing critical members of your leadership team. |
What this means for members:
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