The Daily News
Founded in 1919, Daily News was the first U.S. newspaper to be printed in tabloid format and at its peak reached 1.5 million subscribers. Today, the paper is published by Tronc, which bought it from Tribune Publishing Company in 2017. The Daily News is known for its investigative journalism and hard-hitting reporting. Its editorial stance has historically been conservative, but has moved more to the liberal side of politics in recent years.
During the Roaring Twenties, the paper gained popularity among commuters using New York’s subway system, as its smaller size made it easier to handle and read while riding. The tabloid also attracted readers with its large photographs and titillating, scandalous stories. Its architecture is also a major draw; the 220 East 42nd Street building was designed by Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells to look like an art deco globe, and later served as the inspiration for the Daily Planet in the Superman movies.
After several decades of declining profits, the newspaper hit a turning point in 1985 when a union strike resulted in the hiring of non-union replacements, which wiped out more than $1 million in revenue and contributed to the deterioration of its reputation. By the 1980s, labor costs were swallowing up 44 percent of the Daily News’ revenues. The paper was on the verge of bankruptcy and its parent, the Tribune Company, offered it up for sale. Closing the newspaper was not an option, however, due to severance pay and pensions that would have cost millions of dollars.
Under new editors-in-chief (first Pete Hamill, then Debby Krenek), the Daily News developed a reputation for protecting the rights of New York City’s residents, especially those who were marginalized by society and the media. The paper was a champion of the First Amendment and the right to free speech, and won Pulitzer Prizes for its coverage of social issues (E.R. Shipp’s columns on welfare and race) and for its report of police brutality against Abner Louima (which helped spur the passage of the New York City Police Department’s code of conduct).
In the 2000s, the newspaper expanded to include a website and mobile application, as well as other digital offerings, while retaining a physical presence. It shifted its editorial policy to one that is less conservative and more liberal, while continuing to investigate and expose wrongdoing by city and state officials.
Today, the Daily News brings you news from the world’s greatest city, as well as national and international news, New York exclusives, politics, celebrity gossip, sports and more. It’s the antidote to news overload and gives you an honest take on what’s really going on. Each story is curated by our team of award-winning journalists and opinion formers. Get the Daily News everywhere you go — online, in the app or by email. Each article features comprehension and critical thinking questions, which you can find below the story. You can also sign up for weekly news digests curated by our editors.