The New York Times

American daily newspaper based in New York City

The New York Times (often abbreviated as NYT) is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. Founded in 1851, it is regarded as one of the most influential and widely read newspapers in the world. The New York Times has won more Pulitzer Prize awards than any other newspaper and is considered a newspaper of record in the United States.

The New York Times
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Owner	The New York Times Company
Founded	September 18, 1851
Motto	"All the News That’s Fit to Print"
Headquarters	New York City, United States
Publisher	A. G. Sulzberger
Circulation	350,000 print (2023) 9 million+ digital (2023)
Pulitzer Prizes	130+
ISSN	0362-4331

The New York Times covers news across politics, international affairs, business, culture, science, and technology. Known for its rigorous journalism, investigative reporting, and opinion columns, the newspaper has played a central role in American media for more than 170 years.

The paper is owned by The New York Times Company, which also owns other media outlets. Since the early 2000s, The New York Times has expanded into digital media, becoming one of the most subscribed-to news websites globally, with millions of digital-only subscribers.

History

Founding (1851)

The New York Times was founded on September 18, 1851, by journalist and politician Henry Jarvis Raymond and former banker George Jones. Originally known as the New-York Daily Times, the newspaper was designed to provide objective reporting and stand apart from the sensationalism of competing papers.

The paper’s motto, "All the News That’s Fit to Print," first appeared in 1897, and it remains printed on the masthead today. The motto emphasized seriousness and credibility.

19th century growth

By the 1870s, The New York Times had established itself as a major publication. The paper’s circulation grew steadily, and in 1896, Adolph Ochs purchased the struggling newspaper, transforming it into a highly respected national publication. Under Ochs, the paper adopted a sober tone and strengthened its reputation for reliability.

20th century prominence

During the 20th century, The New York Times became a dominant voice in journalism. Key moments included:

• **World War I and II coverage** – Comprehensive reporting elevated its reputation.
• **The Pentagon Papers (1971)** – The paper published secret documents about U.S. involvement in Vietnam, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case on press freedom.
• **Watergate era** – The Times provided extensive coverage of political scandals, cementing its investigative role.

21st century and digital era

In the 2000s, The New York Times faced challenges from declining print advertising and the rise of digital news. In 2011, the Times introduced a digital paywall, which proved successful, making it one of the first major newspapers to transition effectively to digital subscriptions.

By 2023, The New York Times had over 9 million subscribers, with digital readers vastly outnumbering print subscribers.

Timeline of major events

Year	Event
1851	Founded as the New-York Daily Times.
1896	Purchased by Adolph Ochs.
1897	Motto "All the News That’s Fit to Print" first appears.
1971	Publishes the Pentagon Papers.
2001	Pulitzer Prize for coverage of 9/11 attacks.
2011	Introduces digital subscription paywall.
2020	Reaches 7 million subscribers, becoming largest U.S. newspaper online.

Ownership and management

The New York Times is owned by The New York Times Company, a publicly traded company controlled by the Ochs-Sulzberger family through a dual-class share structure.

Notable publishers have included:

Publisher	Years
Adolph Ochs	1896–1935
Arthur Hays Sulzberger	1935–1961
Arthur Ochs "Punch" Sulzberger	1963–1992
Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr.	1992–2017
A. G. Sulzberger	2018–present

Editorial stance

The New York Times is often described as center-left politically. Its editorial board endorses candidates in U.S. presidential elections, usually Democrats.

While admired for investigative reporting, the paper has also faced criticism for perceived bias, corrections of major stories, and its handling of controversial issues.

Sections and features

The New York Times is organized into multiple sections:

• **News** – U.S. and international coverage.
• **Opinion** – Editorials, op-eds, and letters.
• **Business** – Economic and financial reporting.
• **Arts** – Film, music, theater, books, and visual arts.
• **Science** – Medicine, environment, and space exploration.
• **Sports** – Coverage of U.S. and global sports.
• **Style** – Fashion, society, lifestyle, and features.
• **Magazine** – In-depth journalism and essays.
• **Book Review** – Weekly supplement reviewing new literature.
• **Crossword & Games** – Iconic daily crossword puzzle, spelling bee, and word games.

Pulitzer Prizes

The New York Times has won more Pulitzer Prizes than any other news organization.

Category	Examples of Awards
Public Service	Pentagon Papers coverage (1972), 9/11 coverage (2002).
Investigative Reporting	Exposés on Harvey Weinstein (2018).
International Reporting	Coverage of conflicts in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Feature Writing	Profiles, essays, and cultural pieces.

As of 2023, the Times had received over 130 Pulitzer Prizes.

Circulation

Circulation of The New York Times has shifted dramatically:

• Peak daily print circulation in the 1990s exceeded 1.7 million.
• By 2020, print circulation had declined to under 400,000.
• Digital subscriptions have risen steadily, with millions worldwide.

Year	Print circulation	Digital subscribers
2000	1.1 million	0
2010	900,000	0.5 million
2020	400,000	6 million
2023	350,000	9 million+

Influence and legacy

The New York Times is considered a newspaper of record in the United States. Its coverage has influenced government decisions, shaped public opinion, and set journalistic standards.

The paper is frequently cited in academic works, journalism, and legal cases. Its slogan, “All the News That’s Fit to Print,” remains synonymous with professional journalism.

Criticism and controversies

The New York Times has faced criticism at times:

• **Political bias** – Critics from the left and right allege bias in coverage.
• **Jayson Blair scandal (2003)** – Reporter fabricated and plagiarized stories, leading to resignations.
• **Coverage of Iraq War (2002–2003)** – Criticized for insufficient skepticism of government claims.
• **Social debates** – Columns on sensitive topics have sparked controversy.

Despite criticism, the paper remains one of the most respected media institutions worldwide.

Digital innovation

The New York Times has invested heavily in digital journalism:

• **NYTimes.com** – Major online presence since 1996.
• **Podcasts** – "The Daily," launched in 2017, is among the most popular news podcasts globally.
• **Interactive journalism** – Known for multimedia features, data visualizations, and graphics.
• **Games** – In 2022, The New York Times acquired Wordle, expanding its digital gaming platform.

Notable journalists and columnists

Famous Times journalists and columnists include:

• Thomas Friedman – International affairs columnist.
• Paul Krugman – Nobel Prize-winning economist and columnist.
• Maureen Dowd – Pulitzer Prize-winning opinion columnist.
• Maggie Haberman – Political reporter known for coverage of Donald Trump.

Global reach

The New York Times has correspondents worldwide, with bureaus in major cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It is read internationally and influences media discourse beyond the United States.

References

• Jones, Alex S. and Tifft, Susan E. The Trust: The Private and Powerful Family Behind The New York Times. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1999.
• Talese, Gay. The Kingdom and the Power: Behind the Scenes at The New York Times. New York: World Publishing, 1969.
• Diamond, Edwin. Behind the Times: Inside the New New York Times. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
• Rudenstine, David. The Day the Presses Stopped: A History of the Pentagon Papers Case. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996.
• Hirsch, James. Paper Boy: Inside The New York Times. HarperCollins, 2004.
• Sumpter, Caroline. "The Times and Digital Journalism." *Journalism Studies*, vol. 17, no. 5, 2016.

External links

• The New York Times — official site
• Encyclopaedia Britannica — The New York Times
• The Pulitzer Prizes
• The Guardian coverage of The New York Times
• The New York Times archives at the Library of Congress

See also

• Roovet News Media