The Southern Newspaper Publishers Association was established in 1903 to promote the business interests, harmony and prosperity of its members.  Our members include about 400 daily and non-daily newspapers, located primarily in the South and Southeast.  SNPA is led by an 18-member Board of Directors.

The SNPA Foundation, the educational arm of SNPA, is led by a nine-member Board of Trustees.  The Foundation's professional development program includes SNPA's new series of webinars.  These high quality, low cost web conferences help media professionals develop new job skills without leaving their offices.

SNPA Mission
The mission of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association is to advance the welfare of its member newspapers so that, as a strong, free and responsible press, they may best serve their communities, the nation and all people.

To fulfill this mission, we will:

• Maintain a strong and effective volunteer organization and staff.
• Provide forums for the exchange of ideas and information in a climate of friendship and cooperation.
• Provide information about threats to First Amendment freedom and foster openness in government in our states through our membership.
• Encourage, through programs, high professional standards.
• Provide information and conduct programs that address challenges currently faced by newspapers and developments that may present challenges in the future.
• Provide extensive dissemination of information to the membership about the newspaper business in the South.

SNPA's Standing Committees
The backbone of SNPA is its committee structure.  Committees are appointed annually by the incoming president.  They are responsible for planning annual workshops and meetings and overseeing numerous special projects.  These are the responsibilities of the committees of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association.  For committee rosters, click here.

The AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE monitors innovative audience development initiatives in the newspaper industry and plans the annual Audience Development Conference.

The EDUCATION FOR JOURNALISTS COMMITTEE oversees the SNPA Foundation's professional development programs, including SNPA's new webinar programs

The FIRST AMENDMENT COMMITTEE is SNPA's watchdog for key First Amendment issues that could impact newspapers, including public access, open records, freedom of information, free speech, censorship and other issues.

The HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE oversees the salary, employee benefits and mileage surveys, and offers input to other committees on personnel issues.

The MARKETING COMMITTEE is responsible for activities in the areas of advertising, circulation, finance, marketing, newsprint, public relations and promotion. SNPA committee members will work with their counterparts at Inland Press Association and Suburban Newspapers of America to plan a jointly-sponsored program.

The SMALLER NEWSPAPERS COMMITTEE is alert to the special circumstances and needs of smaller newspapers (under 30,000 circulation) in every aspect of operations. This committee plans the annual Workshop for Smaller Newspapers. The committee also has published many surveys and studies that are of special interest to the publishers of smaller newspapers.