The American Press Institute is an educational non-advocacy 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Newspaper Association of America. The institute's mission is to encourage the advancement of news media, especially local publishers and newspaper media; it conducts research, training, convenes leaders and creates tools for journalism.
History
The institute, founded in 1946, initially was located at Columbia University's Journalism School before moving in 1974 to Reston, Va. It has been described by The Washington Post as the nation's "most venerable press-management and training organization." The institute's discussion leaders have included former Washington Post Executive Editor Ben Bradlee, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, Washington Post Publisher Katharine Graham, and Pulitzer Prize-winner and former Poynter Institute Chairman Eugene Patterson.
However, API's fortunes declined in parallel with those of American newspapers, which were once one of the most profitable businesses in the nation. The institute in early 2012 merged with the NAA Foundation of the Newspaper Association of America and shuttered its landmark headquarters; as of 2016, NAA has retained the institute's identity and web presence, albeit with a smaller staff.
The center's current executive director is Tom Rosenstiel.