A newspaper is a publication printed on paper. Traditionally, the term newspaper refers to a daily or weekly publication consisting of news and other articles. Today, most newspapers are published in digital form. These can be viewed on computers and mobile devices. Many traditional print newspapers have online editions as well. The news and information in a newspaper is usually presented as an amalgamation of fact, fiction, commentary and opinion. It is typically written and edited by a professional staff. The person in charge of selecting content for a newspaper is generally known as the editor, with variations on this title such as editor-in-chief or executive editor. The newspaper’s staff may be divided into subject areas, such as world news or sports. Editors may be in overall charge of the entire paper, or they may oversee individual sections.
In addition to the main news section, a newspaper often contains other articles, such as entertainment, lifestyle, politics and fashion. These are often referred to as “special sections”. A columnist is a writer who contributes regular pieces of opinion. Newspapers may also contain editorials written by the editor (or by a staff editorial board) and which express an opinion on public issues, and letters to the editors and op-eds which express readers’ opinions.
The Yale Daily News is the nation’s oldest college newspaper, founded on January 28, 1878. The News publishes Monday through Friday during the academic year and serves the Yale community. The Yale Daily News is financially and editorially independent. The News publishes a Friday supplement called WEEKEND, the News Magazine and several special issues each year such as the Yale-Harvard Game Day Issue, Commencement Issue and First Year Issue. In the 2020-21 school year, the News launched its inaugural special issues celebrating the voices of the university’s Indigenous, Black and AAPI communities in collaboration with Yale’s cultural centers and affiliated student groups.
As a national and international leader in journalism, the News has been recognized for its innovation and excellence. Its reporters and editors have won numerous awards over the years, including Pulitzer Prizes. The News has been cited for its editorial integrity and for its refusal to pander to the interests of special interest groups. It has been a strong advocate for open government and fought to protect the rights of the individual.
The News is a leader in investigative journalism and has played a role in exposing corruption at all levels of government, as well as in corporate America. The News has also been a leader in the development of the art of photojournalism. It was among the first to adopt the use of color in its coverage and was an early innovator in the use of wire photos, which have helped make it one of the most distinctively photographed newspapers in the world. In its long history, the News has been a powerful voice in New York City and has helped shape the political, cultural and social landscape of the region.