National Newspaper Association History
Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association (NNA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing the owners, publishers and editors of America's community newspapers. NNA's mission is to protect, promote and enhance America's community newspapers. Today, NNA's 2,300+ members make it the largest national newspaper association.
NNA works closely with policy officials to create a legal and regulatory environment conducive to the growth of community newspapers. NNA also provides business and educational programs and services to improve the quality, reach, and relevance of community newspapers throughout the country.
The mission of the National Newspaper Association is to protect, promote and enhance America's community newspapers.
- NNA protects community newspapers through active and effective government relation programs that addresses the issues affecting community newspapers.
- NNA promotes community newspapers by educating readers, advertisers, and policy officials on the benefits and value of community newspapers.
- NNA enhances community newspapers by providing information, solutions and strategies on current and emerging issues affecting the business interest of community newspapers.
The symbol for NNA — and community newspapers — is an individual on a park bench reading a newspaper.
It emphasizes and reminds us that the value of community newspapers is in their ability to inform, educate and entertain people.
The informed individual is the most elemental building block of our democracy. By making the figure of the reader the central image in the logo, we remind our members that informing the public at the community level is our most important task. The relaxed demeanor of the figure seated in the park signifies safety and security. The circular design reinforces the sense of a closely knit community, like the towns, cities and counties we serve.
For a list of past NNA presidents, click here.