[3] The National NewsMedia Council was supported at its creation by major newspapers and chains including the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Postmedia and Sun Media.
[4] In 2018, the council began an academic initiative to partner with post-secondary institutions.
The first president and chief executive officer was John Fraser.
[5] In 2018, Fraser transitioned from chief executive officer to the role of executive chair, after the organization's first chair, Frances Lankin,[6] was appointed to the Senate of Canada.
[7] Day-to-day operations of the National NewsMedia Council are managed by executive director Pat Perkel.