Founded in 1919, the Daily News is the first tabloid newspaper in the U.S. Known for its commitment to New York City, bold journalism and visual content, the Daily News covers breaking news, in-depth investigations, politics, sports, entertainment and culture. It is part of the Tribune Publishing Company and was sold to Tronc in 2017 for $1. Its current newsroom remains in New York City. The Daily News has a reputation for being “aggressively for America and for the people of New York.” It has a strong history in investigative reporting, is well known for its editorial integrity, and is regarded as a reputable source of information.
In addition to its local news coverage, the Daily News is also an excellent source of national and international news. Its columnists are widely viewed as being influential in shaping public opinion. It has also earned a reputation for being an aggressive advocate for the rights of immigrants and minorities. In 1996, it won a Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary for E.R. Shipp’s pieces on race, welfare and social issues. It was later awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting in 1998 for Mike McAlary’s articles about police brutality against Haitian immigrant Abner Louima.
The newspaper has a long history of using large photographs and sensational, titillating stories to capture reader attention. Its success was greatly helped in the 1930s by its penetration of the city subway system, where commuters found its smaller tabloid size easier to handle on their journeys. In 1928, it commissioned Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells, who had designed the Chicago Tribune Tower a few years earlier, to build a freestanding building that would become known as the News Building. It was subsequently used as the basis for the Daily Planet in the Superman franchise.
Despite its success, the Daily News faced difficulties in the early 21st century. Circulation dropped significantly, and the paper went on a long losing streak until its former owners, the Tribune Publishing Company, repurchased it in September of 2017. The subsequent takeover by Tronc resulted in a massive layoff of staff and a dramatic reduction in its budget.
In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, the Daily News attempted to re-establish itself as New York’s most widely read newspaper by harking back to its more provocative roots. This was reflected in the November 30th front page, which featured a thumbs down gesture aimed at Republican senator Ted Cruz through the Statue of Liberty’s hand, and the most famous headline in its history: TRUMP TO WORLD: DROP DEAD. This, along with its steadfast commitment to New York City and a willingness to speak out on behalf of the voiceless, gave the Daily News its reputation as The Eyes, the Ears, the Honest Voice of New York.