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General News Media Membership Application

General News Media Membership Application

Become a member of OPA and Support Oklahoma's News Media.

Eligible:  Any general news media publication, print or digital, that meets membership criteria set by the Board of Directors shall be eligible to apply for General News Media membership. General News Media members shall have the right to vote on matters requiring approval of the Association membership. The Board of Directors may at any time require a General News Media member to file a statement of compliance with the membership criteria set forth by the Board.

Benefits of membership:

  • Voting Member of Oklahoma Press Association
  • Representation on OPA Board of Directors 
  • Invitation to serve on Committees
  • Legislative representation on freedom of information and other issues affecting the industry
  • Marketing of your publication to advertising clients
  • Photo ID Press Cards available for purchase
  • Paper Press Cards available
  • Analysis of State Questions available for publication
  • Availability of Postal information and forms
  • Post job openings on OPA website
  • Eligible for salary funding to host an intern at your publication through the ONF Internship Program
  • Computer Consultant available by phone or on-site visit to 
    assist you. (Service is available to those that publish weekly Network ads.)
  • Eligible for Legal Services Plan membership, which provides 
    legal advice and defense (additional fee)
  • Subscription to The Oklahoma Publisher, OPA’s official monthly publication, which provides information on the state’s news media industry
  • Free copy of the Oklahoma News Media Directory providing members’ contact information
  • Free Open Meeting & Records book
  • Discounted registration rate to attend Annual Convention and group events
  • Free virtual roundtables and group meetings
  • Compete in the Better Newspaper Contest (additional entry fee)
  • Compete in monthly photo, editorial & column contests 
  • Opportunity to apply to Quarter Century Club & Half Century Club for career recognition
     

Criteria for membership:
As determined by OPA Board of Directors and subject to change at any time.

  • Publish content principally devoted to the dissemination of original local news and local editorial content of general public interest;
  • Print publications shall have been continuously published, no less than monthly, for 12 months prior to the date of application;
  • Digital publications must be updated no less than weekly and have been continually published for 12 months prior to the date of application;
  • Available to the general public through recognized methods of print distribution or a dedicated website with ownership of domain name;
  • Does not serve as a platform to promote the interests or opinions of a specific interest group, individual or cause;
  • Have a known Oklahoma-based office of publication, open to the public, where business or publication work is transacted; 
  • Each publication, edition or website contains specific contact information for public communication and interaction;
  • Abides by copyright law;
  • Abides by ethical standards generally understood and endorsed by journalism organizations.
     

Annual Membership Dues: 

Membership dues are determined by the population of the city where your publication headquarters is based plus 2% of advertising revenue placed by Oklahoma Press Service in your publication in the previous calendar year.
City populations are those reported in the 2020 Census performed by the U.S. Census Bureau and on file with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. 


Please use the table below to determine your publication’s Base Dues. Advertising revenue is on file at OPA headquarters. 
Non-Profit organizations receive 25% discount on Base Dues. (updated 7/31/2023)

City Population Base Dues
Less than 2,500 $400
2,500 - 5,000 $500
5,000 - 15,000 $800
More than 15,000 $1,200

Payment of Membership Dues:  Your first year's dues will be pro-rated on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year.  OPA's fiscal/dues year is July to June; annual dues are invoiced in July or August. Upon submission of your membership application, Member Services Director Lisa Sutliff will email you to an opportunity to pay your pro-rated dues online.

Membership Application:

Download Application (PDF) or complete form below.

Please contact lsutliff@okpress.com if you have any questions.



The news organization’s content will be reviewed during the approval process.
Print publications should provide three different recent issues with application.
All news organizations should provide OPA with a free, non-expiring login to access all password-protected area(s) of the website, including archives.
General News Media members enjoy voting privileges and are eligible for other services provided by the association as long as the member’s affiliation is maintained in good standing according to OPA by-laws.
Upon OPA’s approval of this application and receipt of annual dues payment, OPA will: add this organization to its mailing list to receive newsletters, bulletins and other mailings, and send or make available press credentials.
The news organization agrees to provide OPA a free, non-expiring login to access all password-protected area(s) of its website as part of its membership obligation. If organization is a print publication, it agrees to upload PDF pages of each print edition and mail two (2) copies of each edition to the OPA office as part of its membership obligation.

By submitting this application I understand this is a continuing membership to run from year to year, and the membership may be discontinued upon thirty days notice in writing by the member or association.