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 founding members first convened in December 1999 in Chicago. 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 the Internet or other digital delivery systems. 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.
AI in Journalism Initiative
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]
Online Journalism Awards (OJAs)
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 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]
From 2017-2023, the OJAs honored projects in the Excellence in Immersive Storytelling category. Winning work included journalism by The New York Times, FRONTLINE, The New Yorker and Al Jazeera.[11][12][13]
In 2024, the OJAs introduced a journalism award for "Excellence in AI Innovation."[14]
Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet
The organization holds an annual conference and awards banquet in the U.S., the Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, which features four days of training, networking, exhibits, and career exploration. The event revolves around trends and key issues at the intersections of journalism, emerging technology, and leadership.
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Starting in 2011, MJ Bear Fellowships have been awarded to three promising journalists under the age of 30. The program was expanded to recognize six fellows beginning in 2019. The fellowships "identify and celebrate young digital journalists, working independently or for a company or organization, who have demonstrated — through professional experimentation, research or other projects — that they deserve support for their efforts and/or vision."
2023 MJ Bear Fellows:
Alice Wilder, Producer, American Public Media Group
Laura Amico, the founder and editor of Homicide Watch in Washington, D.C
Lam Thuy Vo, formerly multimedia reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong, now at NPR's Planet Money.
Miscellaneous
From 2011-2014, ONA administers a national scholarship program funded by the Associated Press and Google Inc. to foster digital, computer science and new media skills in student journalists.[30]
