Founded in 1919 as the Illustrated Daily News, and soon after changed its name to the New York Daily News, it was the first successful tabloid newspaper in the United States. The News attracted readers with sensational pictorial coverage of crime and scandal, lurid photographs, cartoons, and entertainment features. By the 1920s, it had become a major competitor of established print outlets such as the New York Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.

The News quickly became known for its ruthless pursuit of the front page, often going one step further than its competitors in order to do so. One example occurred in 1928, when a reporter strapped a camera to his leg and photographed Ruth Snyder as she was being executed by electrocution. The resulting image was published the following day with the headline, “DEAD!”

In addition to its extensive city news coverage and celebrity gossip, the Daily News featured classified ads, comics, and a sports section, among other things. It also devoted significant space to editorials and opinion pieces, providing different viewpoints on current events.

By the late 1990s, under new editors-in-chief (first Pete Hamill and then Debby Krenek), the newspaper developed a reputation for protecting the rights of New York’s citizens, particularly those who were perceived to have no voice. This was highlighted by the paper’s awarding of a Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary in 1996 to E.R. Shipp’s pieces on race and welfare, and again in 1998 for Mike McAlary’s coverage of police brutality.

At the same time, however, the News’ infamous reputation as a union-buster was beginning to catch up with it. The paper had already begun to lose money in the early 1980s, due largely to rising labor costs; by 1986, it was reported that the cost of severance pay and pensions was eating up nearly half its profits.

In the same year, the Daily News established WPIX (Channel 11 in New York City), whose call letters were based on its nickname of “New York’s Picture Newspaper,” and later bought what would become WFAN-FM. Both the television station and radio station remain in operation to this day, under different ownership but still within the News Building.

Whether you are a repeat aspirant or a fresher, it is important to stay on top of your current affairs preparation. Keeping up with the fast pace of changes and updates in politics, economics, science, culture, sports, etc. is an absolute must to make sure you get a good score in the exam. With this in mind, we at BYJU’S CNA have released a free Daily News Analysis for UPSC aspirants to ensure they get the best quality content and prepare well for their future. Our current affairs analysis for daily news is compiled by referring to various reliable resources and is a must-read for all aspirants. The Daily News Analysis for UPSC is available every day at our IAS GYAN portal. Download it now to stay ahead of the competition!