Texas Daily Newspaper Association

Texas Daily Newspaper Association

Service and Leadership - not only for newspapers, but in the best interest of the people of Texas.

      Founded in 1921 by 14 publishers, the Texas Daily Newspaper Association is now the collective voice of the state’s daily newspapers. There are more than 80 dailies in Texas today with a combined 3 million in circulation, and TDNA members represent 98% of that circulation.

      We  provide a broad range of services for TDNA members—from protecting the legislative interests of the press and newspaper industry, to providing online support, producing conventions,  interacting with Texas Universities and Colleges,  administering numerous journalism awards and fielding day-today requests for legal and technical information.

      Throughout its existence, TDNA has filled a major role in developing the newspaper industry in Texas. During the 1940s, TDNA helped build support for construction of the Southland Paper Mill in Lufkin—the first plant to produce newsprint from southern pine. During the 1950s, TDNA started a summer college student intern program and began conducting workshops/seminars for employees of TDNA-member papers on management, editorial, advertising and circulation topics.

      In the early 1980s, TDNA won a legal battle against AT&T which prevented the legal monopoly from providing information services over its lines in Austin

at an unfair advantage over newspapers and other news media that might want to enter the telecommunications field. During the 70th Legislature, TDNA was successful in its effort to repeal the tax on newspaper circulation that was enacted in 1984. Actual termination of the tax became effective October 1, 1987.

      TDNA began the 1990s by coordinating development of a voluntary newsprint recycling plan that resulted in the state’s 1991 Omnibus Recycling Act. Throughout its history, the association has played a major role in protecting the right of the media to report the news, including filing legal briefs and entering lawsuits on behalf of freedom of information and other First Amendment-related issues.

      As issues in the Texas Legislature have grown more complex during the last 10 years, TDNA has had a daily presence at the State Capitol during regular and special sessions. A legislative partnership with the Texas Press Association to present a united front for the newspaper industry has resulted in successful efforts to protect the public’s right to know by preserving public notice, warding off efforts to weaken open meetings and open records laws, and assuring the industry is not targeted on tax issues.

      Heading into the 21st Century, TDNA has begun to focus on electronic technology and advances in online advertising as we continually strive to meet the changing needs of our membership base.

      Join us!