The South Carolina Press Association has joined America’s Newspapers State Advocacy Coalition, bringing the network to 32 associations representing 32 states and the District of Columbia.
Since its launch in 2025, ANSAC has built a growing partnership around a practical goal: give state associations more resources, research and support to protect and strengthen local newspapers.
Led by State Policy Director Tony Baranowski, the coalition helps association leaders monitor new legislation, evaluate proposals, develop legislative language, prepare testimony and connect with colleagues who have faced similar challenges. State leaders set the priorities; ANSAC adds capacity and a national perspective. The coalition provides newspapers with an additional voice in the legislative process, advocating for their interests and ensuring that their perspectives are heard — even when those interests may not be represented by others involved in shaping public policy.
Recent work includes research supporting Tennessee’s public-notice study, analysis of newspaper qualification rules in Pennsylvania and North Dakota, government-advertising proposals in New Mexico, and newsroom-support legislation in Washington. The broader agenda includes small-business advertising tax credits, access to public records, protections against unauthorized AI scraping, and postal and employment policies affecting newspaper operations.
The coalition’s national legislative review and bill tracker help members spot emerging threats and compare approaches across state lines.
With 2027 legislative sessions approaching, ANSAC is helping members assess election results and prepare their agendas. South Carolina’s addition brings more experience, relationships and local insight to that work, strengthening the resources available to every participating association.
