Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation

PHOENIX — The Arizona Media Association (AMA) will become a founding member of a new national alliance formed to protect and promote the essential role of local newspapers in communities across the country.

The America’s Newspapers State Advocacy Coalition (ANSAC) launched this week to bring together state press associations and newspaper advocacy groups under a unified mission: to support local journalism through collaborative advocacy, resource sharing, and coordinated messaging at both the state and national levels.

“In Arizona, we’ve seen the power of local journalism to connect communities, hold institutions accountable, and elevate voices that might otherwise go unheard,” said Chris Kline, President & CEO of the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation. “The Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation are proud to join ANSAC to help amplify that impact nationwide. This coalition aligns perfectly with our mission: to sustain and strengthen the local news ecosystem through bold advocacy, deep collaboration, and lasting public trust.”

This new newspaper coalition is a response to the growing need for more unified action in the face of shifting business models, increasing regulatory pressures, and the ongoing evolution of the media landscape. With a special focus on family-owned and independently operated newspapers, the coalition aims to ensure these trusted sources of community information continue to thrive.

“This coalition will also help us create a louder megaphone to ensure the voice of local journalism and community connection is not only heard but protected for generations to come,” said Lisa Simpson, Vice President of Member Services of the Arizona Media Association.

As a founding coalition member, our AMA will work alongside other state associations to advocate for public policies that safeguard press freedom, defend copyright protections, promote newsroom sustainability, and support public notices in print.

“This is about leading with purpose and preserving the essential role that local journalism plays in a healthy democracy,” said Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers. “ANSAC gives associations like AMA the opportunity to coordinate advocacy and drive real change, not just react to it.”

To learn more about ANSAC or how to get involved, contact Dean Ridings at America’s Newspapers: dridings@newspapers.org.

For questions about the Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation, contact Jessica Quesada: jessica@azmedia.org