Daily News is a New York City-based tabloid newspaper founded in 1919. It was the first successful U.S. daily printed in tabloid format and at its peak had a circulation of nearly 2,000,000. The newspaper was renowned for its sensational coverage of crime, scandal, and violence, as well as lurid photographs, and entertainment features such as comics and cartoons. The newspaper has won eleven Pulitzer Prizes. It is currently owned by tronc, the publishing operations of the former Tribune Company, and is headquartered at 4 New York Plaza in Lower Manhattan.
Known for its deep sourcing and doorstep reporting, the Daily News has long been recognized as one of the top sources for hard-hitting journalism in the US. The paper is often criticized for sensational headlines and using loaded words, but generally has a moderate-to-liberal bias and does a good job of fact checking. It also tends to focus on local issues, especially those affecting New York City residents, and has a strong history of supporting progressive candidates in both political races and policy initiatives.
In 1948 the Daily News established WPIX-TV, a television station in New York City, whose call letters were based on its nickname “New York’s Picture Newspaper.” It also bought what became WFAN-AM radio, then known as WPIX AM. The Daily News remains a significant presence at City Hall and within One Police Plaza, and has long maintained local bureaus in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
A remarkable and timely book that examines the impact of losing a local newspaper, the ways a town deals with its loss, and how people are trying to find new and better ways to deliver news to their communities. The book is organized beautifully around the stages of grief, and is a must-read for anyone interested in local journalism or who is curious about what might replace it in the future.
As someone who exclusively reads digital/ online media, the NY Daily News used to be my go to for all the latest relevant information and events in NYC. However, the website is hopelessly cluttered and clunky to navigate. It takes multiple pronpts and screens to get to the article you want to read and, as a result, I now avoid it altogether.
In his book, Conte explains why local news is so important and how it can survive in the face of its biggest threat ever — the rise of big tech companies that provide their users with free and easy access to most of the world’s news. He examines how local newspapers are being killed by their own business models, arguing that the answer lies in building a new kind of citizen gatekeeper that can truly understand and meet the needs of its community. It’s a fascinating and hopeful read. A must-read for everyone concerned about the fate of our democracy and our freedom of speech.