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Become a member

News Media Canada offers different membership options for print and digital news media, service providers and individuals affiliated with the industry. For more information on becoming a member, view the options below or contact us at services@newsmediacanada.ca.

For a list of member services, click here. Not sure if your newspaper is a member? Users can use the search function at the top the page to see if your publication is already a member.

Membership Options

Daily Newspapers and Community Newspapers: General Membership

General membership is open to individuals or companies who own and publish daily and community newspapers in Canada. General members must meet the following criteria:

  1. Produce new, original news content of public interest to Canadians that is primarily focused on matters of general interest and reports of current events, including coverage of democratic institutions and processes.
  2. Follow the code of ethics of a recognized journalistic association or has its own code of ethics whose standards of professional conduct require adherence to the recognized processes and principles of the journalism profession, including fairness, independence and rigour in reporting news and handling sources.
  3. Abide by copyright laws.
  4. Conduct business in a professional manner.
  5. Have been in the business of news publishing for at least one year.
  6. Are registered or incorporated in Canada.
  7. Have a publicized means for the public to contact you.
  8. Do not act an aggregator of content or links created by other media outlets.
  9. Do not serve as a platform promoting the interests and/or opinions of a special interest group, individual or cause.
  10. Are not the subject of sanctions under the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Actor the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), or are owned or controlled by an individual or entity that is the subject of such sanctions.

Daily Newspapers

Individuals and companies that own and publish daily newspapers may apply for General Membership directly to News Media Canada. Daily newspapers are classified as those that publish a minimum of five times each calendar week, except on statutory holidays.

Community Newspapers

Individuals and companies that own and publish community newspapers may apply for General Membership through a News Media Canada-affiliated regional association. Upon acceptance by an affiliated regional association, a newspaper automatically becomes a General Member of News Media Canada. For eligibility criteria, contact your nearest News Media Canada-affiliated regional association.

Newspapers located in a region not served by an affiliated regional association may apply directly to News Media Canada.

Benefits of General Membership:

  • Access to programs and services offered by News Media Canada, including awards programs, business services, education and training, marketing materials, newsletters and industry reports.
  • Right to vote at members’ meetings.
  • Access to the Members’ Area of the News Media Canada website.
  • Subscription to weekly e-newsletter News on News.
  • Special member rates for News Media Canada events such as webinars and training workshops.

News Websites and Digital News Publications: General Membership

General membership is open to individuals or companies who own and publish news websites and digital news publications in Canada. General members must meet the following criteria:

  1. Produce new, original news content of public interest to Canadians that is primarily focused on matters of general interest and reports of current events, including coverage of democratic institutions and processes.
  2. Follow the code of ethics of a recognized journalistic association or has its own code of ethics whose standards of professional conduct require adherence to the recognized processes and principles of the journalism profession, including fairness, independence and rigour in reporting news and handling sources.
  3. Abide by copyright laws.
  4. Conduct business in a professional manner.
  5. Have been in the business of news publishing for at least one year.
  6. Are registered or incorporated in Canada.
  7. Have a publicized means for the public to contact you.
  8. Do not act an aggregator of content or links created by other media outlets.
  9. Do not serve as a platform promoting the interests and/or opinions of a special interest group, individual or cause.
  10. Are not the subject of sanctions under the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Actor the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), or are owned or controlled by an individual or entity that is the subject of such sanctions.

Benefits of General Membership:

  • Access to programs and services offered by News Media Canada, including awards programs, business services, education and training, marketing materials, newsletters and industry reports.
  • Right to vote at members’ meetings.
  • Access to the Members’ Area of the News Media Canada website.
  • Subscription to weekly e-newsletter News on News.
  • Special member rates for News Media Canada events such as webinars and training workshops.

Associate Membership

News media that are not eligible for general membership may apply as an associate member.

Benefits of Associate Membership:

  • Access to programs and services offered by News Media Canada, including awards programs, business services, education and training, marketing materials, newsletters and non-confidential industry reports.
  • Subscription to weekly e-newsletter, News on News.
  • Special member rates for News Media Canada events such as webinars and training workshops.

Associate members are entitled to a number of privileges and benefits but do not have the right to receive confidential information and data. Associate members are not eligible to vote at members’ meetings.

Associate Membership

Associate membership in News Media Canada is open to associations, suppliers, vendors and consultants to the news media industry.

This corporate-level membership applies to companies and organizations that are primarily affiliated with or do direct business with print and digital news media. Applications for Associate Membership require the approval of the News Media Canada boards of directors.

Benefits of Associate Membership:

  • Listing in Vendors Directory on website with membership designation.
  • Insert in new member kit.
  • Discount on CommunityWire newswire service.
  • Weekly News on News e-newsletter as well as all other non-confidential News Media Canada publications.
  • Registration for News Media Canada events at discounted member rates.
  • News Media Canada materials at member rates.
  • Access to non-confidential programs and services offered by News Media Canada.

Associate Members are entitled to a number of privileges and benefits but do not have the right to receive confidential information and data. Associate Members are not eligible to vote at members’ meetings.

Agency Accreditation

News Media Canada offers an accreditation and credit system to advertising agencies, providing a convenient, time- and money-saving means to obtain credit facilities from many News Media Canada member publications.

For more information on agency accreditation, click here.