Founding principles of online news association
The Online News Association (ONA) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2009 to promote and support digital journalism. The organization's founding principles are based on the following core values:
- Journalism Matters: ONA believes that journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that online news organizations play a critical role in providing accurate, timely, and relevant information to the public.
- Digital First: ONA advocates for a digital-first approach to journalism, recognizing that the internet and social media have fundamentally changed the way people consume news and that online news organizations must adapt to these changes.
- Innovation: ONA encourages innovation and experimentation in digital journalism, recognizing that new technologies and platforms offer opportunities for journalists to tell stories in new and creative ways.
- Community: ONA believes that a strong online news community is essential to the success of digital journalism, and that journalists and news organizations must work together to build and support this community.
- Transparency: ONA advocates for transparency in online news, recognizing that the public has a right to know how news is gathered, reported, and presented.
- Diversity: ONA believes that online news organizations should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and that journalists and news organizations must work to increase diversity and inclusion in the newsroom.
- Professional Development: ONA recognizes that digital journalism requires specialized skills and knowledge, and that journalists and news organizations must invest in professional development and training to stay current with the latest technologies and best practices.
- Collaboration: ONA encourages collaboration and cooperation among online news organizations, recognizing that by working together, they can achieve more than they can alone.
- Free Press: ONA believes that a free and independent press is essential to a healthy democracy, and that online news organizations must protect and defend this principle.
- Inclusivity: ONA believes that online news organizations should be inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, or socioeconomic status.
These founding principles guide the work of the Online News Association and inform its efforts to promote and support digital journalism.