A newspaper is a publication printed on paper for the purpose of disseminating news and opinions. A large number of newspapers exist worldwide, and most have some form of paid subscription or advertising revenue. They are typically distributed on a regular basis, such as daily or weekly, with the exception of some weekend editions. Some newspapers are also available online.
Newspapers often contain a wide variety of information, but their primary function is to report current events and public interest stories. They are typically written by professional journalists, but non-journalists may contribute as well. Some newspaper articles are based solely on facts, while others present the journalist’s opinion or interpretation of events. Newspapers typically attempt to balance the views of different groups in their communities, including those who disagree with the newspaper’s editorial positions. These differences are reflected in the op-ed (“opposite the editorial page”) and letters to the editor sections of the newspaper.
Historically, newspapers were printed on cheap, off-white paper known as newsprint, but advances in technology have led to higher quality printing on other types of paper. The use of desktop computers, word processing and graphics software has increased the ability of the average journalist to produce a newspaper. High-speed printers have also reduced production costs, allowing newspapers to publish more pages for less money.
In the United States, a major benchmark for a newspaper’s popularity is its market penetration, or the percentage of households receiving its paper in a given area. This is used to set advertising rates and is a key factor in determining whether or not a newspaper can remain profitable. Newspapers with a high market penetration are often viewed as the “voice of a community” and are considered prestigious.
A newspaper’s reputation is often influenced by its level of objectivity, its accuracy, and the speed at which it responds to events. Some newspapers have tried to increase their credibility by appointing ombudsmen, developing ethics policies and training for staff, using more stringent corrections procedures, and communicating with readers about how editorial decisions are made.
The Yale Daily News is the nation’s oldest college newspaper and serves the Yale and New Haven communities. It is published Monday through Friday during the school year and is financially and editorially independent. The newspaper also publishes WEEKEND and special issues during the academic year celebrating Indigenous, Black and AAPI cultures in partnership with Yale’s cultural centers and affiliated student groups.
The newspaper is headquartered in 220 East 42nd Street, a skyscraper designed by architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood that was the model for Superman’s Daily Planet building in the first two Superman films. The paper is owned by Tribune Publishing. Prior to 1936 it was called The Natal Daily News and before that The Mercantile Advertiser (Durban, South Africa). The newspaper has been around since 1878. In the 1920s it introduced a tabloid format and became the largest-circulation newspaper in the world. The newspaper has been a member of the National Newspaper Association since 1919.