Daily Mail
The Daily Mail first appeared on the 4th of May 1896, a date that marked the beginning of a new era in British journalism. Alfred Harmsworth and his brother Harold launched the paper with a bold strategy: sell it for half a penny when competitors charged one penny. The initial print run targeted 100,000 copies, yet the first day's circulation surged to 397,215 copies. This immediate popularity forced the company to acquire additional printing facilities just months later. By 1899, circulation had climbed to 500,000 copies, and by 1902, it exceeded one million copies, making it the largest newspaper in the world at that time. The paper adopted an imperialist political stance from its inception, supporting Britain during the Second Boer War while claiming other papers were not reporting objectively. It was also the first national newspaper to print simultaneously in both London and Manchester, starting in 1900. Lord Salisbury, then Prime Minister, dismissed the publication as "a newspaper produced by office boys for office boys." Despite such criticism, the Mail recognized the female market early, introducing women's interest sections and hiring Sarah Wilson, one of the first female war correspondents.
In October 1922, the Daily Mail approved of Benito Mussolini's March on Rome, arguing democracy had failed Italy. A leader published in September 1923 titled "What Europe Owes Mussolini" expressed profound admiration for the Italian dictator, claiming he saved Western civilization from Bolshevism. The paper supported the Italian occupation of Corfu in 1923 and condemned the British government's rhetorical opposition to Greece. In 1924, the Mail published the Zinoviev letter before a general election, which later proved to be a hoax but contributed to the defeat of Ramsay MacDonald's Labour Party. During the interwar period, Lord Rothermere formed an alliance with Lord Beaverbrook against Stanley Baldwin, launching the United Empire Party in early 1930. By December 1931, talks began with Oswald Mosley regarding support for his New Party. A the 15th of January 1934 article titled "Hurrah for the Blackshirts" praised Mosley's doctrine and invited readers to join the British Union of Fascists. Support ended after violence at a June 1934 rally in Kensington Olympia. Throughout the 1930s, the paper maintained editorial sympathy toward Nazi Germany, publishing leaders like "Youth Triumphant" in 1933 that predicted minor misdeeds would be submerged by benefits to Germany. Journalist George Ward Price interviewed both Hitler and Mussolini, asking soft questions while producing reports described as obsequious pro-fascism.
David English transformed the Daily Mail during the 1970s and 1980s, turning it from a struggling publication into a formidable force. He had previously edited the Daily Sketch from 1969 until its closure in 1971. Under his leadership, circulation rose to surpass that of the Daily Express by the mid-1980s. English was knighted in 1982 and later became editor-in-chief and chairman of Associated Newspapers in 1992. Paul Dacre succeeded him as editor of the Daily Mail after Rupert Murdoch attempted to hire Dacre for The Times in 1992. Ted Verity took over as editor on the 17th of November 2021, assuming responsibility for all Mail newspapers including The Mail on Sunday and You magazine. In late 2013, the paper moved its London printing operation from Docklands to a new £50 million plant in Thurrock, Essex. A partnership with The People's Daily began in August 2016, raising concerns about censorship regarding politically sensitive topics. By May 2020, the Daily Mail ended The Sun's 42-year reign as the UK's highest-circulation newspaper, recording average daily sales of 980,000 copies.
The Scottish Daily Mail launched separately in December 1946 but struggled with poor circulation before being rebased to Manchester in December 1968. It relaunched in 1995 and is now printed in Glasgow with an average circulation of 67,900 in Scotland as of December 2019. An Irish edition officially entered the market on the 6th of February 2006, distributing free copies initially. Its masthead originally featured a green rectangle labeled "IRISH" instead of Royal Arms. The Irish edition had a circulation of 63,511 in July 2007, falling to 49,090 by late 2009. Foreign editions began in 1904 and 1905, titled Overseas Daily Mail and Continental Daily Mail respectively. Mail Today entered India on the 16th of November 2007, printing 110,000 copies across Delhi, Gurgaia, and Noida. In September 2017, the paper partnered with Stage 29 Productions to launch DailyMailTV, an international news program produced in New York City with satellite studios in London, Sydney, DC, and Los Angeles. Dr. Phil McGraw served as executive producer, and the program received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2018. By 2020, the website recorded more than 218 million unique visitors per month.
On the 17th of January 1967, the Mail published a story about potholes in Blackburn, claiming there were 4,000 holes, which inspired John Lennon's song "A Day in the Life." In 1981, the paper investigated the Unification Church, accusing it of ending marriages and brainwashing converts; the church sued for libel but lost heavily, awarding the Mail £750,000. A the 16th of July 1993 headline reading "Abortion hope after 'gay genes' finding" became infamous among tabloid headlines. The Mail campaigned vigorously for justice over Stephen Lawrence's murder in 1993, publishing a front page on the 14th of February 1997 with five accused men labeled "MURDERERS." Two of those named were found guilty in 2012. On the 16th of October 2009, an article by Jan Moir criticized Stephen Gately six days after his death, generating over 25,000 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission. In June 2011, the paper printed an article titled "Just ONE cannabis joint can bring on schizophrenia as well as damaging memory," later changing the headline after criticism from researchers. In December 2017, a story about Abd Ali Hameed al-Waheed claimed he was caught red-handed with a bomb despite court findings calling that claim pure fiction.
In February 2001, businessman Alan Sugar won £100,000 in damages following a story commenting on his stewardship of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Actress Diana Rigg received £30,000 in October 2003 over personality comments. Musician Elton John was awarded £100,000 in May 2006 for false accusations concerning his manners and behavior. Austen Ivereigh received £30,000 in January 2009 after false abortion allegations. Parameswaran Subramanyam won £47,500 in July 2010 for claims about sustaining himself with hamburgers during a hunger strike. Author J.K. Rowling received substantial damages in May 2014 after false claims about her Gingerbread website story. First Lady Melania Trump settled undisclosed amounts in April 2017 regarding escort allegations from the 1990s. Earl Spencer accepted undisclosed libel damages in June 2018 over claims about his conduct toward Princess Diana. In June 2019, Associated Newspapers paid £120,000 to Interpal charity after falsely accusing it of funding a hate festival in Palestine. Professor Priyamvada Gopal received £25,000 in November 2020 for distress caused by false race war incitement claims. Businessman James Dyson and his wife Lady Deirdre Dyson were awarded £100,000 in December 2020 following suggestions they behaved badly toward their former housekeeper.
In February 2017, English Wikipedia banned the use of the Daily Mail as a reliable source due to unreliability concerns. Ben Goldacre wrote in The Guardian that the paper has an ongoing project to divide all inanimate objects into those causing or preventing cancer. Matt Jones, lead author of a cannabis study cited in October 2011, stated the research did not say one spliff would bring on schizophrenia. Carbon Brief complained to the Press Complaints Commission about an article claiming a hidden green tax of £200 in fuel bills, which Ofgem said was incorrect; the article was quietly removed from the website. In 2013, the Met Office criticized an article by James Delingpole on climate change for containing factual inaccuracies. Local councillor Majid Messaoudene accused journalist Andrew Malone of stigmatizing Saint-Denis in August 2018 after apparent inaccuracies were highlighted on social media. In early 2019, Microsoft Edge's NewsGuard plugin warned visitors that the site generally fails basic standards of accuracy and accountability before updating its status to Green later that month. The Society of Editors selected it as 'Daily Newspaper of the Year' for 2020 despite these criticisms.
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Common questions
When did the Daily Mail first appear and who launched it?
The Daily Mail first appeared on the 4th of May 1896, a date that marked the beginning of a new era in British journalism. Alfred Harmsworth and his brother Harold launched the paper with a bold strategy to sell it for half a penny when competitors charged one penny.
What political stance did the Daily Mail take during the interwar period regarding fascism?
During the interwar period, the Daily Mail maintained editorial sympathy toward Nazi Germany and praised Oswald Mosley's doctrine in an article titled Hurrah for the Blackshirts on the 15th of January 1934. The paper approved of Benito Mussolini's March on Rome in October 1922 and published leaders claiming he saved Western civilization from Bolshevism.
Who edited the Daily Mail after David English and what changes occurred under Ted Verity?
Paul Dacre succeeded David English as editor of the Daily Mail after Rupert Murdoch attempted to hire Dacre for The Times in 1992. Ted Verity took over as editor on the 17th of November 2021, assuming responsibility for all Mail newspapers including The Mail on Sunday and You magazine.
When was the Irish edition of the Daily Mail officially released and how many copies were distributed initially?
An Irish edition officially entered the market on the 6th of February 2006, distributing free copies initially. Its masthead originally featured a green rectangle labeled IRISH instead of Royal Arms before circulation figures fluctuated between 63,511 in July 2007 and 49,090 by late 2009.
Which famous song was inspired by a Daily Mail story about potholes in Blackburn?
On the 17th of January 1967, the Mail published a story about potholes in Blackburn claiming there were 4,000 holes which inspired John Lennon's song A Day in the Life. This specific reporting event directly influenced the creation of one of the most iconic tracks in music history.