The American Society of News Editors advances the cause of quality, independent professional journalism. Founded in 1922 to “defend the profession from unjust assault,” ASNE is primarily an organization of newsroom leaders in the United States, with members from Canada and Mexico welcome as well.

Eligibility

Directing editors with immediate responsibility for editorial or news policies of daily, wire-service, nondaily, broadcast and/or online only news organizations are eligible to join. If you’d like additional details, see the ASNE bylaws. Deans, directors and endowed and distinguished chairs at accredited journalism schools* are also eligible for full membership.

ASNE, which has a small, talented staff based in Reston, Va., is a volunteer-run organization, working through its committees and elected board of directors.

Benefits

• Networking with the nation’s leading editors through exclusive listservs, events and meetings.
• Full and free access to ASNE’s private membership directory, the nation’s most complete listing of supervising editors.
• Save up to 33 percent off registration fees for next year’s ASNE convention (April 6-9) in San Diego.
• Free online access to full video of convention sessions. Share what you learn with your newsroom!
• Free and discounted access for you and your staff to ASNE’s highly acclaimed training webinars, the easiest and most cost-effective way to stay abreast of industry trends.
• Access to ASNE’s Washington-based legal counsel for guidance or referral on issues affecting you locally.
• Members-only confidential peer-to-peer telephone chats, arranged free of charge through ASNE. You’ll get feedback and advice from those familiar with your special challenges and circumstances.
• Timely alerts about judicial rulings and new laws affecting your newsroom’s access to public records. ASNE is a national leader in the fight for greater access to public information.
• Free access to ASNE’s extensive online archive of reports and journalism studies, the gold standard in newsroom-related research.
• Invitations to ad hoc conferences on timely news industry issues. ASNE members often are the first to be invited to participate in such discussions.

How ASNE helps newsroom leaders like you:

• Knowledgeable and responsive ASNE staff can help you with everything from speech research to finding a new managing editor.
• Fights for freedom of information through courts, legislatures, Congress and the White House.
• The leader in championing the First Amendment through the ASNE-sponsored “1 for All” national campaign recently launched to promote the five essential freedoms: press, speech, assembly, religion and the right to petition the government.
• Aggressively promotes diversity through ASNE’s acclaimed, standard-setting annual Newsroom Employment Census.
• Honors distinguished work through the ASNE Awards, among journalism’s premier contests, celebrating and showcasing the best writing for print and online.
• Spearheads annual Sunshine Week, launched by ASNE as the nation’s primary event to focus public attention on freedom of information and government transparency.
• Manages one of the nation’s most dynamic programs for improving high school journalism and elevating news literacy among youngsters.
• Free posting of newsroom internship opportunities on ASNE.org website.
• Opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, the work of newsroom managers like yourself who are tackling the industry’s most critical challenges.

*Please check to see that your school is on this list by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.