Online News Association Explained

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 7:00 AM

25 years of convening and supporting changemakers in journalism The annual conference is moving to the spring! Join leaders and changemakers in journalism at ONA26, March 30–April 1, in Chicago. ONA is advancing collaboration around AI, climate and resilience in journalism. From trainings to networking, ONA offers opportunities to learn and connect all year. Special thanks to our ONA sponsors.

.ona-ad { width: 728px; height: 90px; background: #e3e3e3; margin: 0 auto; } @media ( max-width: 900px ) { .ona-ad { width: 320px; height: 50px; } } The Online News Association (ONA), founded in 1999, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of digital journalists headquartered in Washington D.C., United States.[1] The founding members first convened in December 1999 in Chicago. The group included journalists from WSJ, Time, MSNBC, and the FT, among other outlets.[2] It is the world's largest association of digital journalists,[3] with more than 3,200 members.[4] The majority of ONA members are professional online journalists. The association defines "professional members" as those "whose principal livelihood involves gathering or producing news for digital presentation." These include news writers, producers, programmers, bloggers, designers, editors, photographers and others who produce news for... Other members include journalism educators, journalism students, business development, marketing and communications professionals in the media and those interested in the field of online journalism.

The Online News Association runs the AI in Journalism Initiative, which offers a mix of training, networking opportunities, thought leadership, and other resources for journalists and media executives. Microsoft contributed initial funding for the initiative, which was announced alongside AI-related partnerships with other media groups, including Semafor, the Craig Newmark School of Journalism, and the GroundTruth Project.[5][6][7] The Online News Association administers the Online Journalism Awards, a set of global awards honoring excellence and innovation in digital journalism. The OJAs focus on independent, community, nonprofit, major media and international news sites. The awards were launched in May 2000, initially as a joint effort of the Online News Association and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.[8][1] Winners are announced at the annual conference. Each year features over 20 categories for journalism awards.

Examples include awards for excellence in Newsletters, Technology Reporting, Social Media Engagement, Online Commentary and Breaking News. Select categories come with a cash prize, which over the years have been provided by supporters such as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, SmartNews and others.[9][10] The Online News Association (ONA), founded in 1999, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Washington D.C., United States.[1] It is the world's largest association of digital journalists,[2] with more than 3,200 members.[3] The... The group included journalists from WSJ, Time, MSNBC, and the FT, among other outlets.[4]

The majority of ONA members are professional online journalists. The association defines "professional members" as those "whose principal livelihood involves gathering or producing news for digital presentation." These include news writers, producers, programmers, bloggers, designers, editors, photographers and others who produce news for... Other members include journalism educators, journalism students, business development, marketing and communications professionals in the media and those interested in the field of online journalism. The Online News Association runs the AI in Journalism Initiative, which offers a mix of training, networking opportunities, thought leadership, and other resources for journalists and media executives. Microsoft contributed initial funding for the initiative, which was announced alongside AI-related partnerships with other media groups, including Semafor, the Craig Newmark School of Journalism, and the GroundTruth Project.[5] [6] [7] The Online News Association administers the Online Journalism Awards, a set of global awards honoring excellence and innovation in digital journalism.

The OJAs focus on independent, community, nonprofit, major media and international news sites. The awards were launched in May 2000, initially as a joint effort of the Online News Association and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.[8] Winners are announced at the annual conference. Each year features over 20 categories for journalism awards. Examples include awards for excellence in Newsletters, Technology Reporting, Social Media Engagement, Online Commentary and Breaking News. Select categories come with a cash prize, which over the years have been provided by supporters such as the John S. and James L.

Knight Foundation, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, SmartNews and others.[9] [10] Revenue: $1,989,301 Expenses: $2,271,171 Assets: $2,598,413 The Online News Association is a professional membership association for individual internet-based journalists. The organization was formed in the late 1990s shortly after the advent of the online news industry and, like other journalism-related organizations, promotes a variety of left-of-center ideologies and is funded by major left-of-center... The association hosts professional development programs for various demographics within the journalism industry and hosts an annual conference. The group claims to have over 2,000 individual members who include journalists, support staff, executives, and other professionals connected to the online news industry.

Among the notable left-of-center foundations that fund the organization are the Democracy Fund, the Ford Foundation, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 2 The Online News Association was founded in 1999 as internet-based news sources became more widespread. The association is an individual membership-based professional society comprised of individual members in the digital media profession including “journalists, technologists, executives, students, educators and other digital media professionals.” 3

The focus of the organization includes developing strategies for emerging technology including “insights into trends and best practices for using immersive reality, artificial intelligence and other emerging tools for journalism.” The group also shares... 3 The Online News Association (ONA) is the leading nonprofit transforming digital journalism by connecting journalists worldwide with innovative tools, resources, and programs like the Online Journalism Awards. They focus on enhancing multimedia storytelling, fostering professional growth through fellowships, and setting tech-savvy standards. Whether you're a budding writer or an industry veteran, ONA offers a vibrant community and prime opportunities for networking and skill advancement. The Online News Association (ONA) revolutionizes the journalism landscape.

Created by forward-thinking journalists in 1999, it's a hub for digital innovation, bringing together professionals eager to break new ground in news reporting. If you’re a journalist aiming to stay at the forefront of media trends, understanding ONA's journey and goals is critical. At its core, ONA embodies progress in journalism. The organization’s mission is to foster innovation in storytelling and provide journalists worldwide with the tools needed in today's digital world. ONA embraces digital change, equipping its members with resources like specialized training, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts to uphold public interest journalism. This focus aligns perfectly with WriteSeen's emphasis on protecting and showcasing creative storytelling, not connections.

From AI’s role in newsrooms to the evolving landscape of climate reporting and resilience, the Online News Association is shaping the industry and supporting journalists in an era of rapid change. In this episode of Small Press, Big Ideas, I sat down with Karolle Rabarison and Meghan Murphy from the Online News Association (ONA) to explore the evolving landscape of digital journalism. Our discussion touches on everything from the history of ONA to the future of AI in newsrooms, the importance of community-building among journalists, and the organization’s plans and initiatives for 2025. The Online News Association, the world’s largest digital journalism association, was founded in the late 1990s as the internet began reshaping news media. At the time, traditional journalists were skeptical about digital news – so much so that there was even a report when online news was first “accepted as credible”. At this time there wasn’t a professional organization dedicated to supporting the pioneers experimenting with online platforms.

ONA emerged as a response to this need, bringing together forward-thinking journalists and technologists who saw the potential of digital storytelling. Today, ONA’s membership is diverse, spanning reporters, editors, product managers, technologists, and independent content creators. The organization remains committed to fostering innovation in journalism, supporting members navigating the rapid changes in technology, and ensuring that journalism remains a trusted and credible source of information in an increasingly digital world. The Online News Association (ONA), founded in 1999, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up of more than 1,800 members. Its mission: Inspiring innovation and excellence among digital journalists to better serve the public. Most of the members are professional online journalists.

The association defines "professional members" as those "whose principal livelihood involves gathering or producing news for digital presentation." These include news writers, producers, programmers, designers, editors, photographers and others who produce news for the... Other members include journalism educators, journalism students, business development, marketing and communications professionals in the media and those interested in the field of online journalism. The Online News Association administers the Online Journalism Awards, the only awards honoring excellence in digital journalism, in partnership with the University of Miami's School of Communication. The awards were launched in May 2000 as a joint effort of the Online News Association and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The organization holds an annual conference and awards banquet. The 2008 conference was held in Washington, DC, September 11-13.

The 2009 conference was held Oct. 1-3 in San Francisco, and the 2010 conference was held Oct. 28-30 in Washington DC. Executive Director: Jane McDonnell. Web Editor: Sean Connolly. Community Engagement Manager: Jeanne Brooks.

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. 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... 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...

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. 🍪 We use necessary cookies to make our site work and, if you agree, set others that help us understand how to make it function better. For more info, view our policy. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Online News Association Explained

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