Philadelphia Daily News
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, United States. The newspaper is owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings
which also owns Philadelphia's other major newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer
. The Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under founding editor Lee Ellmaker. By 1930 the newspaper's circulation
exceeded 200,000, but by the 1950s the news paper was losing money. In 1954 the newspaper was sold to Matthew McCloskey and then sold again in 1957 to publisher Walter Annenberg
. In 1969 Annenberg sold the Daily News to Knight Ridder
. In 2006 Knight Ridder sold the paper to a group of local investors. The Daily News has won the Pulitzer Prize
three times. It is currently published as an edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
of the morning paper exceeded 200,000. Circulation dropped over the years, and by 1954, the money-losing paper was sold to Matthew McCloskey, a contractor and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
. In December 1956, the paper's financial condition was so bad that McCloskey got permission from the unions for a 90 percent cut in the workforce.
In 1957, McCloskey sold the paper to Walter Annenberg
, publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer
. Annenberg killed off the Daily News' Sunday edition and made the tabloid into an afternoon paper.
In 1969, Annenberg sold both papers to Knight Newspapers Inc., which eventually became Knight Ridder
following a merger. Under the new ownership, the Daily News returned to morning publication and aimed to be taken more seriously. The paper's journalists have won the Pulitzer Prize
three times. Richard Aregood won in 1985
for editorial writing
, Signe Wilkinson
won for her editorial cartoons
in 1992
and Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman won in 2010
for investigating reporting
for their "Tainted Justice" series focusing on the alleged misdeeds of a rogue narcotics squad.
The paper continues to struggle financially (It was surpassed in circulation, but not readership, by the free daily Metro
). When the sale of Knight Ridder to The McClatchy Company
was announced in March 2006, there were rumors that McClatchy would close the Daily News. However, in May, before the sale was finalized, it was announced that the Inquirer and Daily News would be re-sold to Philadelphia Media Holdings L.L.C., a local group led by advertising executive Brian Tierney
and co-founder of the Toll Brothers
homebuilding firm, Bruce Toll. The deal became official on June 29, 2006. The group intended to strengthen the online presence of both papers, and began an extensive ad campaign.
Falling circulation and ad revenue caused Philadelphia Media Holdings to make the Daily News into an edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Without making any other changes to the Daily News, making it part of The Inquirer would combine the circulation numbers of both papers by the Audit Bureau of Circulation. The idea is to make the newspapers more attractive to advertisers. On April 14, 2010 Brian Tierney announced that the Daily News will launch a weekend edition in October. The weekend edition's content will be similar to the daily edition, but will have features that will not be time sensitive and be able to be read anytime during the week. In early 2009, debts from buying the newspapers forced Philadelphia Newspapers LLC into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
. The bankruptcy was the beginning of a year long dispute between Philadelphia Media Holdings and creditors. The group of creditors, which include banks and hedge funds, wanted to take control of Philadelphia Newspapers LLC themselves and oppose efforts by Philadelphia media Holdings to keep control. Philadelphia Media Holdings received support from most of the paper's unions and launched a public relations campaign to promote local ownership. A bankruptcy auction was held on April 28, 2010. The group of lending creditors and a group of local investors allied with Brian Tierney both bid for Philadelphia Newspapers, but the lenders had the winning bid. The lenders' company, Philadelphia Media Network
, took control later that year.
Officer George Fencl, is given by the Daily News to a Philadelphia Police Officer who exemplifies compassion, fairness, and civic commitment. The award was first given in 1986.
in 2008.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States. The newspaper is owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings
Philadelphia Media Holdings
Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC was an American holding company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by Brian Tierney in 2006, the company owned The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News...
which also owns Philadelphia's other major newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
. The Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under founding editor Lee Ellmaker. By 1930 the newspaper's circulation
Newspaper circulation
A newspaper's circulation is the number of copies it distributes on an average day. Circulation is one of the principal factors used to set advertising rates. Circulation is not always the same as copies sold, often called paid circulation, since some newspapers are distributed without cost to the...
exceeded 200,000, but by the 1950s the news paper was losing money. In 1954 the newspaper was sold to Matthew McCloskey and then sold again in 1957 to publisher Walter Annenberg
Walter Annenberg
Walter Hubert Annenberg was an American publisher, philanthropist, and diplomat.-Early life:Walter Annenberg was born to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 13, 1908. He was the son of Sarah and Moses "Moe" Annenberg, who published The Daily Racing Form and purchased The Philadelphia...
. In 1969 Annenberg sold the Daily News to Knight Ridder
Knight Ridder
Knight Ridder was an American media company, specializing in newspaper and Internet publishing. Until it was bought by The McClatchy Company on June 27, 2006, it was the second-largest newspaper publisher in the United States, with 32 daily newspapers sold.- History :The corporate ancestors of...
. In 2006 Knight Ridder sold the paper to a group of local investors. The Daily News has won the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
three times. It is currently published as an edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
History
The Philadelphia Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under founding editor Lee Ellmaker. In its early years, it was dominated by crime stories, sports and sensationalism. By 1930, daily circulationNewspaper circulation
A newspaper's circulation is the number of copies it distributes on an average day. Circulation is one of the principal factors used to set advertising rates. Circulation is not always the same as copies sold, often called paid circulation, since some newspapers are distributed without cost to the...
of the morning paper exceeded 200,000. Circulation dropped over the years, and by 1954, the money-losing paper was sold to Matthew McCloskey, a contractor and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Pennsylvania. The party has had strong support in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area for a long time, having controlled the mayoral office in Philadelphia since 1952, and the Pittsburgh...
. In December 1956, the paper's financial condition was so bad that McCloskey got permission from the unions for a 90 percent cut in the workforce.
In 1957, McCloskey sold the paper to Walter Annenberg
Walter Annenberg
Walter Hubert Annenberg was an American publisher, philanthropist, and diplomat.-Early life:Walter Annenberg was born to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 13, 1908. He was the son of Sarah and Moses "Moe" Annenberg, who published The Daily Racing Form and purchased The Philadelphia...
, publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
. Annenberg killed off the Daily News
In 1969, Annenberg sold both papers to Knight Newspapers Inc., which eventually became Knight Ridder
Knight Ridder
Knight Ridder was an American media company, specializing in newspaper and Internet publishing. Until it was bought by The McClatchy Company on June 27, 2006, it was the second-largest newspaper publisher in the United States, with 32 daily newspapers sold.- History :The corporate ancestors of...
following a merger. Under the new ownership, the Daily News returned to morning publication and aimed to be taken more seriously. The paper's journalists have won the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
three times. Richard Aregood won in 1985
1985 Pulitzer Prize
The following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1985.-Journalism awards:*Public Service:** The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, For reporting by Mark J. Thompson which revealed that nearly 250 U.S...
for editorial writing
Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing
The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing has been awarded since 1917 for distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction...
, Signe Wilkinson
Signe Wilkinson
Signe Wilkinson is an editorial cartoonist best known for her work at the Philadelphia Daily News. She is the first female cartoonist to win the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1992 and was once named "the Pennsylvania state vegetable substitute" by the former speaker of the...
won for her editorial cartoons
Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning
The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning has been awarded since 1922 for a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons published during the year, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing, and pictorial effect...
in 1992
1992 Pulitzer Prize
- Journalism awards :*Public Service:**The Sacramento Bee, For "The Sierra in Peril," reporting by Tom Knudson that examined environmental threats and damage to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.*Spot News Reporting:...
and Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman won in 2010
2010 Pulitzer Prize
The 2010 Pulitzer Prizes were awarded on Monday, April 12, 2010. In journalism, The Washington Post won four awards while The New York Times won three. For the first time, an online source, ProPublica, won in what had previously been the sole province of print. A musical, Next to Normal, won the...
for investigating reporting
Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting
The Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting has been awarded since 1953, under one name or another, for a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series in print journalism...
for their "Tainted Justice" series focusing on the alleged misdeeds of a rogue narcotics squad.
The paper continues to struggle financially (It was surpassed in circulation, but not readership, by the free daily Metro
Philadelphia Metro
Metro is a free daily newspaper in Philadelphia published by TPI Metro, Inc. which began publishing on January 24, 2000. Its main competition is The Philadelphia Daily News. In 2004, Metro surpassed The Daily News in circulation, 143,798 to 141,868, to move into second behind 372,297 for The...
). When the sale of Knight Ridder to The McClatchy Company
The McClatchy Company
The McClatchy Company is a publicly traded American publishing company based in Sacramento, California. It operates 30 daily newspapers in 15 states and has an average weekday circulation of 2.2 million and Sunday circulation of 2.8 million...
was announced in March 2006, there were rumors that McClatchy would close the Daily News. However, in May, before the sale was finalized, it was announced that the Inquirer and Daily News would be re-sold to Philadelphia Media Holdings L.L.C., a local group led by advertising executive Brian Tierney
Brian Tierney
Brian P. Tierney is an American a former advertising and public relations executive and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Born in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, Tierney created Tierney Communications, one of the largest and most successful public relations and advertising firms in...
and co-founder of the Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers is a Horsham, Pennsylvania based luxury homes builder.-Company Overview:Toll Brothers is a residential and commercial real estate development company with communities in 50 markets throughout 19 states...
homebuilding firm, Bruce Toll. The deal became official on June 29, 2006. The group intended to strengthen the online presence of both papers, and began an extensive ad campaign.
Falling circulation and ad revenue caused Philadelphia Media Holdings to make the Daily News into an edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Without making any other changes to the Daily News, making it part of The Inquirer would combine the circulation numbers of both papers by the Audit Bureau of Circulation. The idea is to make the newspapers more attractive to advertisers. On April 14, 2010 Brian Tierney announced that the Daily News will launch a weekend edition in October. The weekend edition's content will be similar to the daily edition, but will have features that will not be time sensitive and be able to be read anytime during the week. In early 2009, debts from buying the newspapers forced Philadelphia Newspapers LLC into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 11 is a chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is available to every business, whether organized as a corporation or sole proprietorship, and to individuals, although it is most...
. The bankruptcy was the beginning of a year long dispute between Philadelphia Media Holdings and creditors. The group of creditors, which include banks and hedge funds, wanted to take control of Philadelphia Newspapers LLC themselves and oppose efforts by Philadelphia media Holdings to keep control. Philadelphia Media Holdings received support from most of the paper's unions and launched a public relations campaign to promote local ownership. A bankruptcy auction was held on April 28, 2010. The group of lending creditors and a group of local investors allied with Brian Tierney both bid for Philadelphia Newspapers, but the lenders had the winning bid. The lenders' company, Philadelphia Media Network
Philadelphia Media Network
Philadelphia Media Network is an American media company. It owns The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and the web portal Philly.com, acquiring out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from the prior owner, Philadelphia Media Holdings....
, took control later that year.
George Fencl Award
The George Fencl Award, named in honor of Philadelphia PolicePhiladelphia Police Department
The Philadelphia Police Department is the police agency responsible for law enforcement and investigations within the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
Officer George Fencl, is given by the Daily News to a Philadelphia Police Officer who exemplifies compassion, fairness, and civic commitment. The award was first given in 1986.
| Year | Rank | Name | District/Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
David Morrell | 26th District, Commanding Officer |
| 1987 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Wiley L. Redding | 35th District, Community Relations |
| 1988 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Joe Donato | 19th District |
| 1989 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
Al Lewis | 22nd District, Commanding Officer |
| 1990 | Lieutenant | Jose Manuel Melendez | East Division, Community Interaction Task Force |
| 1991 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
George Fenzil | Traffic Unit, Commanding Officer |
| 1992 | Lieutenant | Stephen Johnson | Police Conflict-Prevention and Resolution Unit, Commanding Officer |
| 1993 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Edwin "Bo" Diaz | 26th District, Community Relations |
| 1994 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
Arthur Durrant | 26th District, Commanding Officer |
| 1995 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
James Perkins | 2nd District |
| 1996 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Joseph Dembeck | 14th District |
| 1997 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Brenda Robinson-Stowe | 16th District, Mounted Officer |
| 1998 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
William Colarulo | 25th District, Commanding Officer |
| 1999 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Bernard Turner | 22nd District |
| 2000 | Chief Inspector | Dexter Green | Special Operations Unit, Commanding Officer |
| 2001 | Deputy Commissioner Police commissioner Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a... |
Sylvester Johnson | Patrol, Narcotics, Detectives, and Special Operations, Commanding Officer |
| 2002 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
William Fisher | Civil Affairs Unit, Commanding Officer |
| 2003 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Ruth McNatte | 16th District, Community Relations |
| 2004 | Chief Inspector | James Tiano | Community Affairs Bureau, Commanding Officer |
| 2005 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Darlene Chapman-Cummings | Anti-Drug Program: DARE |
| 2006 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
AnnaMae Law | 26th District |
| 2007 | Sergeant | Kimberly Byrd | Chief of Staff |
| 2008 | Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
Kevin Bethel | 17th District, Commanding Officer |
| 2009 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Adrian Hospedale | 12th District |
| 2010 | Officer Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... |
Richard "Butch" Riddick | 12th District |
Sportsperson of the Year
The Daily News named its first Sportsperson of the YearAthlete of the Year
Athlete of the Year is an award given by various sports organizations for the athlete whom they have determined to be deserving of such recognition....
in 2008.
- 2008 – Brad LidgeBrad LidgeBradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
, Philadelphia Phillies - 2009 – Jay Wright, Villanova Wildcats basketball coach
- 2010 – Roy HalladayRoy HalladayHarry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Notable employees
- Richard Aregood, 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial WritingPulitzer Prize for Editorial WritingThe Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing has been awarded since 1917 for distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction...
- John BaerJohn BaerJohn M. Baer is an American journalist working for the Philadelphia Daily News.Baer earned a degree from Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland and a Masters Degree from Temple University. He studied at the Brookings Institution and worked in Congress as a Fellow of the American Political Science...
- Bill ConlinBill ConlinWilliam "Bill" T. Conlin is an American sportswriter and long-time columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News. Prior to joining the Daily News, he wrote for the Philadelphia Bulletin. He is a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and a voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame.Conlin won...
, sports columnist, 2011 J. G. Taylor Spink Award - Pete DexterPete DexterPete Dexter is an American novelist. He was the recipient of the 1988 National Book Award for Fiction for his novel Paris Trout.-Biography:Dexter was born in Pontiac, Michigan...
, columnist - Ray DidingerRay DidingerRay Didinger is an award-winning American sportswriter, author, film writer, radio host, TV commentator, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame .-Early life and career:...
- Howard EskinHoward EskinHoward Eskin is an American sports radio personality for WIP-FM 94.1/WIP-AM 610 in Philadelphia.-Career:After Eskin graduated from Northeast High School in Philadelphia in 1968, he got his start in local radio at WFIL-AM when evening shift disc jockey George Michael hired him to be his engineer...
- Brad GuigarBrad GuigarBrad Guigar is an American cartoonist who is best known for his daily webcomic Greystone Inn and its sequel Evil Inc. ...and his laugh-Biography:Brad Guigar was the eldest of five children and grew up in Bad Axe, Michigan...
, cartoonist - Phil JasnerPhil JasnerPhil Jasner , was an award-winning sports journalist in Philadelphia.Phil Jasner joined the staff of the Philadelphia Daily News in 1972. Jasner covered the 76ers and the NBA on a full-time basis from 1981 up until his death...
- Gar JosephGar JosephGar Joseph is a prominent journalist in Pennsylvania, USA, working for the Philadelphia Daily News. Joseph has been city editor of the Daily News since December 2005....
- Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman, 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative ReportingPulitzer Prize for Investigative ReportingThe Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting has been awarded since 1953, under one name or another, for a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series in print journalism...
- Chuck StoneChuck StoneCharles Sumner "Chuck" Stone, Jr. is a former Tuskegee Airman, an American newspaper editor, columnist, professor of journalism, and author. After completing his service in World War II, Stone already had been admitted to Harvard University but chose to matriculate at Wesleyan University...
, columnist, 1972 - 1991 - Signe WilkinsonSigne WilkinsonSigne Wilkinson is an editorial cartoonist best known for her work at the Philadelphia Daily News. She is the first female cartoonist to win the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1992 and was once named "the Pennsylvania state vegetable substitute" by the former speaker of the...
, 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial CartooningPulitzer Prize for Editorial CartooningThe Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning has been awarded since 1922 for a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons published during the year, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing, and pictorial effect...