Definition of Association of alternative newsweeklies

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) is the trade association of alternative weekly newspapers in North America. AAN provides services to a large number of generally liberal or progressive weekly newspapers across the United States and in Canada. According to its self-description, AAN "is a diverse group of 130 non-daily free-circulation papers that are distributed in all of the major metropolitan areas of North America. Each paper has a distinct, local identity that sets it apart from the mainstream press in its market."