A daily newspaper is a publication issued each day and typically printed on paper. It usually contains news, articles, advertisements, and editorials, as well as comics, sports scores and other entertainment features. Most newspapers have sections devoted to science, politics and current events, but they also cover many other subjects. A daily newspaper may be a general interest periodical, or it may focus on specific groups of readers (such as businesspeople, sports fans, or residents of a particular city or region). In the United States, it is customary for a daily newspaper to publish a separate Sunday edition, although this practice is less common elsewhere.
In its 20th-century heyday, The Daily News was a brawny metro tabloid that thrived on sensational coverage of crime and corruption. It was the model for The Daily Planet of the 1994 film, Superman, and it won numerous Pulitzer Prizes for commentary, feature writing, and international reporting. It is currently owned by Tronc, which acquired it in 2017.
Most newspapers are not limited to one geographic area; some serve specific interests, such as businesses, sports, or local culture. Some have a political bias; others are more objective. Some, such as The New York Times, have a reputation for rigorous fact-checking and unbiased analysis. Others, such as The Washington Post, are known for their pro-Democratic bias and often oppose President Trump.
Many newspapers have an opinion section, which carries the personal opinions of staff members or guest writers. It is sometimes called an op-ed page (opposite the editorial), or occasionally a “letters” page. Some newspapers have an ethics department to oversee their policies.
In addition to traditional print media, modern newspapers are often available on electronic devices. Many are accessed online, and some have apps that allow users to read them offline, and share stories with friends. A daily news app is a digital version of a traditional newspaper that can be read on mobile devices.
A daily newspaper can provide information about the world and its people, but it can also help in developing a sense of citizenship. It can provide a context in which citizens can make decisions about their lives, such as how they want to be represented, and it can serve as a source of education about civic and social issues.
A daily newspaper can be an important tool for a democracy, but it should be used with care. Readers must be able to differentiate between biased, inaccurate and unsubstantiated content, and they should be encouraged to report errors to the newspaper’s editorial department or ethics board. Newspapers can try to improve their credibility by establishing ombudsmen, developing ethics policies and training, using more stringent corrections policies, and by communicating their process and rationale with readers. They can also help readers to become informed by recommending good sources of information. In the United States, this can be done by allowing readers to access government documents through the Freedom of Information Act or by providing links to other websites that have relevant information.