Founded in 1878, the Yale Daily News is America’s oldest college newspaper. The News is editorially and financially independent, serving the Yale and New Haven communities, publishing Monday through Friday during the school year. In addition to the daily newspaper, the News publishes several special issues each year including a Yale-Harvard Game Day Issue, Commencement Issue, and First Year Issue in collaboration with Yale’s community centers and affiliated student groups. The News also publishes a weekly Friday supplement, WEEKEND and the Yale Daily News Magazine.
Often referred to as “the city’s picture newspaper” because of its early use of photographic images, the News has a rich and varied history. Originally, it was a tabloid, the first of its kind in the United States, with sensational coverage of crime and scandal. It also emphasized politics and social intrigue, from the Teapot Dome scandal to Wallis Simpson’s romance with King Edward VIII, and was an early user of the Associated Press wirephoto service.
Today, the News is one of the most highly read newspapers in the country and is published every weekday afternoon at 450 West 33rd Street (known as Manhattan West) in downtown Manhattan. It maintains local bureaus in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, within City Hall at One Police Plaza, and at the various city and federal courthouses. It is also the parent company of television and radio stations including WPIX, the flagship station whose call letters derive from the News’ nickname; and WFAN-FM, which carries the FM simulcast of its namesake AM radio station.
The News’s editorial stance is flexible, tending to be moderate to liberal, though it has a high-minded, populist legacy. It is frequently contrasted with the right-wing New York Post.
Classroom Lessons
Students will gain an understanding of the historical context of the newspaper’s name, logo and masthead design. They will learn how the News became a prominent force in the American journalism industry and examine the evolution of the newspaper’s political leanings. In addition, students will explore the controversy over an ad for Liberty Mutual that some say shows racism against African-Americans and other minorities. They will also find out why the newspaper is so passionate about its mission to cover the whole city of New York, and how its reporters and editors work together to create a unique and recognizable voice that continues to stand for fairness and integrity.