The Daily News, founded in 1919, is a morning tabloid newspaper in New York City. Originally named the Illustrated Daily News, it was the first successful daily tabloid newspaper in the United States and once had the largest circulation of any paper in the world. It was known for sensational coverage of crime and scandal, lurid photographs, and comics and other entertainment. It is not related to the original New York Daily News of 1855–1906.
In addition to news, most newspapers also feature articles and analysis on politics, business and finance; crime, weather and natural disasters; society, food and fashion; and sports. These articles are generally written by journalists, although some are contributed by readers. Journalists who focus on writing about news events and personalities are called reporters; those who write longer, less-news-oriented articles may be described as columnists. Photographers and graphic artists provide images and illustrations for the articles. Some papers have editorial staffs to present opinions, usually in the form of op-ed (opposite the editorial page) or letters to the editor.
Newspapers can be classified according to their geographic scope or the frequency of publication. Local newspapers cover events of particular interest to a specific town or region and are sold only in that area; national newspapers focus on events and issues of national concern and are sold across a country. Newspapers can also be classified by their circulation, which is the number of households receiving a copy of the newspaper. Historically, the best way to judge a newspaper’s credibility was its market penetration, but as other forms of media competed with newspapers and printing became easier and cheaper, market penetration began to decline.
In recent decades, the newspaper industry has faced considerable challenges, including a sharp rise in online content and the rise of social media and television. Some papers have shifted to a digital format or closed altogether, while others have reorganized their businesses or struggled financially. In some cases, the decline of newspapers has been accelerated by changes in technology or a loss of confidence in journalism.
Andrew Conte’s book Death of a Daily News, an examination of what happened when a newspaper in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, went out of business, is a timely and deeply reported study of a growing problem. He writes with wisdom and empathy, while sounding a warning about the societal consequences of declining local news outlets. This is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of journalism.
