THE NEWS LEADERS ASSOCIATION (NLA) IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION OF NEWS EDITORS. NLA FOCUSES ON OPEN GOVERNMENT AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT. NLA:-REPRESENTS NEW LEADERS' POINTS OF VIEW IN THE NEWS INDUSTRY, THE AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESS AND SOCIETY.-AT THE FOREFRONT OF EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND STATE SHIELD LAWS AND THE CALL TO ENACT A FEDERAL SHIELD LAW.-CREATED SUNSHINE WEEK, AN EFFORT TO EMPOWER CITIZENS TO HOLD GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE AND OPEN.-FOSTERS EXCELLENCE THROUGH ITS NLA AWARDS, WHICH ARE AMONG THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS IN THE PROFESSION.-SPEAKS OUT WHEN JOURNALISTS ARE THREATENED.