Founded in 1919 and renowned for bold journalism, commitment to New York City, engaging storytelling and strong visual content, Daily News offers national and local news, politics, sports, entertainment and lifestyle. Dedicated to breaking news, in-depth investigations and top news stories, the News also delivers New York exclusives and the latest gossip.
The tabloid format of the Daily News was a big advantage in gaining readers on the subway system, where the smaller size is easier to hold and navigate through crowds. The News quickly grew into the largest newspaper in the United States, and by the end of the Roaring Twenties was selling more than a million copies a day.
Like many tabloids, the Daily News leaned heavily on sensational pictorial coverage to grab and hold attention. In 1928, for example, the paper smuggled a hidden camera into Ruth Snyder’s execution in order to capture a photo of her mid-electrocution. The photo was then published the next day under the headline “DEAD!”
Even in more recent years, the Daily News has had a tendency to overreach with political and social crusades (partly in response to the conservative polemics of its crosstown rival, the New York Post) that can be off-putting for readers looking for calm facts.
While the newspaper is no longer able to dominate with a single front-page scream, it remains one of the most widely read newspapers in New York and maintains a loyal reader base. In addition to its main print edition, the Daily News has numerous radio and television affiliates and maintains a website.
In 2016, the newspaper experienced a resurgence of popularity as Donald Trump’s presidential campaign captivated the nation. The Daily News has since returned to its roots, reverting to a more provocative style and tone and giving the middle finger to Ted Cruz with the Statue of Liberty’s hand in a famous headline, and regularly taking on crusades against the mayor and current president that are probably not helpful for maintaining a reputation for objectivity.
As with most newspapers, the Daily News struggled in the digital age. By 2017, circulation had halved and the paper’s owners, the Tribune Publishing Company, sold the Daily News to Tronc for a mere $1. After acquiring the Daily News, the new owners promptly went on a firing spree that cut staff by half.
Despite its declining numbers, the Daily News continues to publish articles that are well-researched and informative. Ad Fontes Media rates the newspaper in the Skewed Left category of bias and in the Reliable, Analysis/Fact Reporting category of reliability. The News’s Facebook page provides readers with an easy way to keep up to date on the latest in New York City and around the world. Each article contains comprehension and critical thinking questions, as well as background and resources, to help readers understand the story. Readers can also download the newspaper for offline reading. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.