A newspaper is a publication printed on paper or similar material and containing news, articles, advertisements, and other information. It is usually delivered to homes, businesses, and public places on a regular basis. Newspapers can be found in many languages and may cover a wide range of topics, from local events to national and international affairs.
A major advantage of newspapers is their ability to provide current, up-to-date information. However, the extent to which a newspaper is up-to-date depends on how quickly it can be printed and distributed. For example, some newspapers produce a morning edition and a later edition of the same day, so that the latter can include any breaking news that has occurred since the earlier edition was published. Similarly, online newspapers can often be updated multiple times per day, so that they can be much more up-to-date than print newspapers.
In addition to providing current news and information, most newspapers have editorials, expressing the views of their editor (or editorial board) on a particular topic. Some also have opinion articles, known as op-eds, written by guest writers. These are usually printed in the opinion section of the newspaper. Other sections of the newspaper typically contain general news and classified ads, and often feature comics and other non-news items.
Most traditional newspapers are written in English, but many also publish editions in other languages. The word newspaper is derived from the Dutch noun nederlandsche verkrant, meaning “little newspaper”. Newspapers were first published in the 17th century. They developed from early information sheets for merchants, and by the 18th century most cities in Europe had a daily newspaper. Newspapers have evolved over the centuries, from handwritten manuscripts to typed sheets to today’s online and print versions.
Newspapers are considered the primary source of information about a political event or issue, and are widely read in many countries. Their role in a democracy is to inform the citizenry, and to hold government officials accountable for their actions and inactions. Historically, the most influential and successful newspapers have been those that have a high degree of editorial independence and high journalistic quality.
While modern technology has made it easier for people to access news and information, not everyone has the ability to do so. Many impoverished and remote communities do not have access to the Internet, so they cannot benefit from online news sources. In addition, many people lack the literacy skills needed to understand and interpret the news.
The Yale Daily News Historical Archive contains digitized copies of the Yale Daily News from its founding on January 28, 1878 to 1995. The archive is open to the public.
The Yale Daily News has been the nation’s oldest college newspaper and is editorially and financially independent. It is published Monday through Friday during the academic year and serves Yale and New Haven, Connecticut. Several of the newspaper’s alumni have gone on to prominent careers in journalism and public service, including William F. Buckley, John Hersey, Joseph Lieberman, Lan Samantha Chang, and Strobe Talbott.