About

Founded in 1999, the Online News Association (ONA) is a nonprofit membership organization and the essential hub for adaptive leadership in journalism. We convene and equip changemakers in journalism with the insights, training and connections they need to shape the future of the industry. ONA’s members include journalism professionals in all functions and career stages and a network of supporters across industries, including philanthropy, technology, and academia.

ONA offers virtual and in-person programs throughout the year, hosts an annual conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.

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Vision

A journalism industry that doesn’t just survive change but thrives through it—where continuous learning, strategic collaboration, and adaptive leadership across all roles and functions create an ecosystem powerful enough to meet democracy’s evolving information needs.

Mission

We equip journalism professionals across all roles, functions and career stages with adaptive leadership capabilities, strategic foresight, and collaborative communities and networks, creating a connected ecosystem where shared learning, experimentation and innovation strengthen journalism’s capacity to serve democracy.

Strategic Pillars

Graphic with ONA's four strategic pillars shows connected blocks with Strategic & Operational Resilience at the top, supported by the pillars of Industry Intelligence & Foresigh, Continuous Learning & Adaptive Leadership, and Connected Communities & Networks

Industry Intelligence and Foresight

We establish ONA as journalism’s essential intelligence hub, combining industry knowledge with outside-in perspective to help journalism professionals anticipate and adapt to change, while creating a comprehensive content ecosystem that reaches changemakers year-round.

Connected Communities and Networks

We create and nurture high-value gatherings and ongoing connections that break down silos, spark collaboration, and build the relationships essential for industry resilience.

Continuous Learning and Adaptive Leadership

We create comprehensive pathways that build emerging technology fluency and adaptive leadership capabilities, meeting journalism professionals where they are in their careers and elevating their capacity to thrive through industry transformation and drive positive change within their organizations and the broader ecosystem.

Organizational and Operational Resilience

We build ONA’s financial sustainability and operational resilience by diversifying revenue streams, strengthening member engagement systems, and creating scalable infrastructure that enables sustained impact and growth.

ONA Membership

ONA is where journalism leaders connect to get better at driving change. Our members help sustain our mission and receive exclusive benefits, including discounted registration to conferences, training events, peer support, professional development resources, leadership opportunities and a premier awards program with global reach.

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Our Values

We believe that the internet is the most powerful communications medium to arise since the dawn of television. As digital delivery systems become the primary source of news for a growing segment of the world’s population, it presents complex challenges and opportunities for journalists as well as the news audience.

Integrity: Responsible journalism using innovative tools and platforms means the distinction between news and other information must always be clear; the original source for information should be apparent; and efforts made to verify information should be explicit.

Inclusivity: Diversity and inclusion in all journalism roles contributes a variety of perspectives critical for empathetic storytelling, driving innovation and accessing new markets.

Journalistic Ethics: Journalists should maintain the highest principles of fairness, accuracy, objectivity and responsible independent reporting, as well as in distributing, sourcing, reviewing and corroborating information.

Excellence: As journalists strive for the highest quality storytelling — no matter the medium — they should be strategic in their use of reporting tools, design techniques and distribution platforms.

Community: Journalists should foster a vibrant, respectful, and supportive environment for the communities they serve, and for one another.

Freedom of Expression: Journalists must be free to report the news without fear of retribution, detention or personal harm, and will advocate for unfettered access to public information and officials. They will support the public’s right to be informed and to freely express opinions about the news.