The National NewsMedia Council was formed in 2015 following decisions to amalgamate press councils in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and British Columbia to establish a cohesive, consistent and fair approach to complaints against member news organizations.

Press councils have existed in Canada for over 40 years to consider public concerns about the ethics and practices of journalists working in individual provinces. The first council was established in Windsor, Ontario, in 1972 when media in that city decided to help the public understand how media works and to promote acceptable boundaries and guidelines for journalists.