The Daily Mail: A Century of British Journalism and Influence
An academic exploration of a British media institution, examining its historical evolution, editorial impact, and enduring role in public discourse.
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Overview
A British Media Institution
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper, first published in London in 1896. It has consistently held a significant position in the UK media landscape, notably achieving the highest circulation among paid newspapers in the UK as of 2020. Its influence extends beyond the print edition through its widely accessed digital platform, MailOnline, which operates with a distinct editorial team.
Ownership and Leadership
The newspaper is a flagship publication of the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange. The Harmsworth family, descendants of the original co-founders, maintain controlling ownership, with Jonathan Harmsworth, 4th Viscount Rothermere, serving as chairman. Day-to-day editorial decisions are managed by the editor, a role held by Ted Verity since November 2021, overseeing the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, and You magazine.
Readership Demographics
In 2014, a demographic analysis revealed that the average age of a Daily Mail reader was 58, indicating a readership skewed towards older demographics. It also had the lowest proportion of readers aged 15 to 44 among major British dailies. Uniquely among British daily newspapers, women constitute the majority of its readership (52โ55%). By February 2020, its average daily circulation was 1.13 million copies, with a significant online presence boasting over 218 million unique monthly visitors globally.
Historical Trajectory
Early Foundations (1896-1918)
Founded on May 4, 1896, by brothers Alfred and Harold Harmsworth, the Daily Mail was an immediate success. Priced at a halfpenny, it was more affordable and adopted a more populist, concise style than its rivals. Its initial print run of nearly 400,000 copies quickly grew, reaching 500,000 by 1899 and over a million by 1902, making it the world's largest. The paper adopted an imperialist and patriotic stance, notably during the Second Boer War, and was pioneering in targeting female readers with dedicated sections and hiring one of the first female war correspondents, Sarah Wilson. It was also the first national newspaper to print simultaneously in multiple cities (Manchester and London from 1900). The paper gained notoriety for its "Yellow Peril" campaign against Chinese immigration and its "warmongering" stance before World War I. During the war, Alfred Harmsworth's criticism of Lord Kitchener and Prime Minister H.H. Asquith led to significant controversy and a temporary drop in circulation, though his call for conscription was later vindicated.
Inter-War Period (1919-1939)
Following Alfred Harmsworth's death in 1922, his brother Lord Rothermere assumed full control, steering the paper through a period marked by significant political and social upheaval. The Mail continued its tradition of public stunts, such as the "Hat campaign" and awarding prizes for aviation firsts like Alcock and Brown's transatlantic flight and Amy Johnson's solo flight to Australia. It also established the "Ideal Home Exhibition" in 1908, promoting modern domestic technology. Politically, Rothermere's elitist views led him to disapprove of universal suffrage and express admiration for Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, viewing them as bulwarks against Bolshevism. The paper published the infamous (and later proven hoax) "Zinoviev letter" in 1924, which was blamed by some for the Labour Party's defeat. Rothermere's alliance with Lord Beaverbrook and their "United Empire Party" challenged Stanley Baldwin's Conservative leadership, accusing him of "feminising" the party. The Mail also championed Hungary's territorial claims and advocated for a stronger Royal Air Force. Its editorial line during this period, including the "Hurrah for the Blackshirts" article supporting Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, drew considerable criticism for its pro-fascist and anti-Semitic undertones, particularly in its opposition to Jewish refugees and its portrayal of Indian independence activists.
Post-War Evolution (1945-Present)
Post-World War II, the Daily Mail navigated newsprint rationing and celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1946 with Winston Churchill as a guest. It maintained a hardline stance during the Suez Crisis in 1956, advocating for British intervention. A significant transformation occurred under editor David English from 1971, who revitalized the paper, shifting it from a broadsheet to a compact tabloid format and absorbing the Daily Sketch. English's leadership saw the Mail surpass the circulation of its rival, the Daily Express, by the mid-1980s. The 1980s were a period of journalistic success, featuring prominent writers and the launch of The Mail on Sunday. In 1992, Paul Dacre succeeded English as editor, a role he held for decades before becoming editor-in-chief of the group. The paper relocated its London printing operations in 2013 and expanded its international reach with Scottish and Irish editions, and a partnership with The People's Daily in China in 2016. In May 2020, the Daily Mail ended The Sun's 42-year reign as the UK's highest-circulation newspaper. More recently, it supported Liz Truss in the 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.
Global Editions
Scottish Daily Mail
The Scottish Daily Mail was initially launched in Edinburgh in December 1946. After experiencing poor circulation, its operations were rebased to Manchester in 1968. It was relaunched in 1995 and is now printed in Glasgow, maintaining an average circulation of approximately 67,900 in Scotland as of December 2019. This edition features content tailored to Scottish interests alongside national news.
Irish Daily Mail
The Daily Mail formally entered the Irish market with a local version on February 6, 2006. This edition distinguishes itself with a "IRISH" masthead and incorporates stories of specific Irish interest while retaining content from the UK version. Its circulation was 63,511 in July 2007, falling to 49,090 by the second half of 2009. In September 2006, Ireland on Sunday was replaced by the Irish Mail on Sunday, aligning with the weekday publication.
Continental & Overseas
Early international expansion included the launch of two foreign editions in 1904 and 1905: the Overseas Daily Mail, which covered global news, and the Continental Daily Mail, focusing on Europe and North Africa. These editions were instrumental in extending the paper's reach and influence beyond British shores in the early 20th century.
Mail Today
On November 16, 2007, the Daily Mail entered the Indian market with the launch of Mail Today. This 48-page compact newspaper, printed in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida, had an initial print run of 110,000 copies. It adopted the same fonts and aesthetic as the Daily Mail, benefiting from investment and editorial assistance from Associated Newspapers. Mail Today has supported various political regimes and was notable for breaking a controversial story regarding terror slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2016.
Editorial Stance
Political Alignment
The Daily Mail is widely recognized as a right-wing tabloid and has historically been a staunch supporter of the Conservative Party. Since 1945, it has endorsed the Conservative Party in every UK general election, with the sole exception of the October 1974 election, where it advocated for a Liberal and Conservative coalition. In the 2015 general election, while generally supporting the Conservatives, it notably urged conservatively inclined voters in specific constituencies (Heywood and Middleton, Dudley North, Great Grimsby) to back UKIP where it posed the primary challenge to the Labour Party. The paper also explicitly endorsed voting to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum.
International Affairs
On international issues, the Daily Mail has often adopted a critical and nationalistic perspective. For instance, during the 2008 South Ossetia war, it condemned Russia's actions as "shocking arrogance and brutality" but simultaneously criticized the British government for what it perceived as an unnecessary confrontation with Russia, drawing parallels with the UK's recognition of Kosovo's independence. The paper has also taken strong stances on environmental issues, notably campaigning against plastic pollution since 2008, advocating for levies on single-use plastic bags and bans on plastic microbeads, earning praise from environmental organizations and the UN Environment Program.
Science and Social Issues
The Daily Mail has been criticized for its reporting on science and medical research, with accusations of sensationalism and inaccuracy. A notable instance involved a 2011 article on cannabis use, which controversially linked "Just ONE cannabis joint" to schizophrenia, a claim later retracted and modified after criticism from the study's co-author and academics. The paper's coverage of social issues has also drawn scrutiny, such as its 1993 headline "Abortion hope after 'gay genes' finding," which was widely condemned as disturbing and homophobic. These instances highlight a recurring tension between the paper's populist approach and journalistic accuracy in sensitive areas.
Accolades
National Newspaper of the Year
The Daily Mail has been a frequent recipient of the prestigious "National Newspaper of the Year" award from the British Press Awards, winning it nine times since 1994, including in 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2016, and 2019. In 2020, the Society of Editors also recognized it as the 'Daily Newspaper of the Year', underscoring its consistent performance and influence within the industry.
Individual Journalistic Excellence
Journalists from the Daily Mail have garnered numerous individual British Press Awards across various categories, reflecting the paper's diverse talent pool. These include "Campaign of the Year" for its coverage of the Stephen Lawrence murder (2012), "Website of the Year" for MailOnline (2012), and "News Team of the Year" (2012). Individual accolades span "Critic of the Year" (Quentin Letts, 2010), "Political Journalist of the Year" (Quentin Letts, 2009), "Specialist Journalist of the Year" (Stephen Wright, 2009), "Showbiz Reporter of the Year" (Benn Todd, 2012), "Feature Writer of the Year โ Popular" (David Jones, 2012), and "Columnist of the Year โ Popular" (Craig Brown, 2012; Peter Oborne, 2016; Sarah Vine, 2019). The paper has also been recognized for its sports reporting and photography, with multiple awards for Jeff Powell, Mike Egerton, and Andy Hooper, and "Cartoonist of the Year" for Stanley 'MAC' McMurtry (2016). More recently, Jan Moir received "Interviewer of the Year โ Popular" (2019) and Laura Lambert the "Hugh McIlvanney Award for Sports Journalist of the Year" (2019).
Other Notable Recognitions
Beyond the British Press Awards, Daily Mail journalists have received other significant honors. Josh Boswell won "National Political/Government Reporting" from the Los Angeles Press Club in 2023. Toby Harnden was awarded the "Orwell Prize" in 2012, and the paper has received the "Hugh Cudlipp Award" multiple times (2012, 2009, 2007) for its impactful journalism.
Noted Reporting & Controversies
The "Suffragette" Term
The term "suffragette" was coined in 1906 by Daily Mail journalist Charles E. Hands as a derogatory label for women's suffrage activists, particularly members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). However, the women embraced the term, pronouncing it "suffraGETtes" to emphasize their determination to achieve the vote, effectively turning a term of derision into a badge of honor.
The Zinoviev Letter
In 1924, just days before the UK general election, the Daily Mail published the "Zinoviev letter," a document purportedly from Grigory Zinoviev, a high-ranking Soviet official, calling for a Bolshevik-style revolution in Britain. The letter's authenticity was later widely questioned and largely considered a hoax, but its publication is believed by many on the left to have significantly influenced the outcome of the election, contributing to the defeat of Ramsay MacDonald's Labour Party.
"Holes in the Road"
On January 17, 1967, the Mail published a story titled "The holes in our roads," highlighting the issue of potholes, citing Blackburn as an example with 4,000 reported holes. This seemingly mundane detail gained unexpected cultural significance when it was immortalized by John Lennon in The Beatles' song "A Day in the Life," alongside an account of the death of socialite Tara Browne, which also appeared in the same issue.
Unification Church Investigation
In 1981, the Daily Mail conducted an extensive investigation into the Unification Church, often referred to as the "Moonies," accusing the organization of brainwashing converts and disrupting marriages. The Unification Church sued the paper for libel but lost, resulting in a then-record-breaking ยฃ750,000 libel payout to the Mail. The paper received a special British Press Award in 1983 for its "relentless campaign" against the church.
Gay Gene Controversy
A 1993 headline in the Daily Mail, "Abortion hope after 'gay genes' finding," following research on the Xq28 gene, sparked widespread condemnation. Critics labeled it as "perhaps the most infamous and disturbing headline of all" for its implication regarding prenatal screening based on sexual orientation. This incident remains a significant point of contention in discussions about media ethics and the portrayal of scientific research.
Stephen Lawrence Murder Campaign
The Daily Mail launched a vigorous campaign for justice following the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. On February 14, 1997, its front page famously featured the five men accused of the murder under the headline "MURDERERS," daring them to sue if the paper was wrong. This bold move garnered significant praise from Lawrence's family and political figures after two of the men were found guilty in 2012, despite earlier criticisms that the paper had initially focused on anti-racist groups rather than the murder itself.
Stephen Gately Article
In October 2009, an article by Jan Moir in the Daily Mail, published shortly after the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, criticized aspects of his life and death. The article generated over 25,000 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission, a record number, with many deeming it insensitive, inaccurate, and homophobic. While the complaints were not upheld, major advertisers temporarily removed their ads from the online version of the article, highlighting public and commercial backlash.
Cannabis Use Reporting
In October 2011, the Daily Mail published an article titled "Just ONE cannabis joint can bring on schizophrenia as well as damaging memory," citing a scientific study. This headline was heavily criticized by the study's co-author, Matt Jones, who stated, "This study does NOT say that one spliff will bring on schizophrenia." Academics, including Dorothy Bishop of Oxford University, awarded the Daily Mail an "Orwellian Prize for Journalistic Misrepresentation." The headline was later modified to "Just ONE cannabis joint 'can cause psychiatric episodes similar to schizophrenia' as well as damaging memory."
Ralph Miliband Article
In September 2013, the Mail published an article titled "The Man Who Hated Britain" about Ralph Miliband, the late father of then-Labour leader Ed Miliband and a prominent Marxist sociologist. Ed Miliband condemned the article as "ludicrously untrue" and "appalled." The Jewish Chronicle described it as "a revival of the 'Jews can't be trusted because of their divided loyalties' genre of antisemitism," a sentiment echoed by Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, who linked it to the historical Nazi sympathies of the paper's owners. While the paper defended the article's content, it admitted that using a picture of Miliband's grave was an "error of judgment" and dismissed claims of antisemitism as "absolutely spurious."
Gawker Media Lawsuit
In March 2015, a former contract worker at the Mail's New York office, James King, published an article in Gawker titled 'My Year Ripping Off the Web With the Daily Mail Online'. King alleged that the Mail's strategy involved rewriting stories from other outlets with minimal credit for advertising clicks and publishing material known to be false, often deleting stories rather than issuing corrections. The Mail's US company subsequently filed a $1 million libel lawsuit against King and Gawker Media. The lawsuit was eventually resolved with Gawker agreeing to add an Editor's Note, remove an illustration, and publish a statement from DailyMail.com, without financial compensation.
Anti-Refugee Cartoon
Following the November 2015 Paris attacks, the Daily Mail published a cartoon by Stanley McMurtry ("Mac") that controversially linked the European migrant crisis to the terrorist attacks, criticizing EU immigration laws for allegedly allowing Islamist radicals easy access to the UK. Despite comparisons to Nazi propaganda and accusations of racism, the cartoon received praise on MailOnline. Amnesty International UK criticized it as "reckless xenophobia," while a Daily Mail spokesperson dismissed the criticisms as "absurd comments."
Anthony Weiner Scandal
In September 2016, MailOnline published an extensive interview and screenshots from a 15-year-old girl who alleged that American politician Anthony Weiner had sent her sexually explicit images and messages. This revelation led to Weiner's separation from his wife, Huma Abedin, an aide to Hillary Clinton. Weiner later pleaded guilty to sending obscene material to a minor and was sentenced to 21 months in jail, highlighting the Mail's role in breaking a significant political scandal.
Plastic Pollution Campaigns
Since 2008, the Daily Mail has actively campaigned against plastic pollution, advocating for measures such as a levy on single-use plastic bags and a ban on plastic microbeads. Its efforts in raising awareness about plastic pollution have been lauded by the head of the United Nations Environment Program, Erik Solheim, and environmental groups like ClientEarth, with some commentators suggesting the paper has done more for the environment than certain green political parties.
Gary McKinnon Deportation
The Daily Mail vigorously campaigned against the extradition of British computer hacker Gary McKinnon to the United States. McKinnon was accused of the "biggest military computer hack of all time" in 2002, though he claimed he was searching for evidence of free energy suppression and UFO activity. Starting in 2009, the paper ran a series of front-page stories protesting his deportation. In October 2012, Home Secretary Theresa May withdrew the extradition order, a decision McKinnon's mother credited significantly to the Daily Mail's advocacy.
Abd Ali Hameed al-Waheed Case
In December 2017, the Daily Mail published a front-page story titled "Another human rights fiasco!" regarding a judge's decision to award ยฃ33,000 to Abd Ali Hameed al-Waheed for unlawful imprisonment, claiming he was "caught red-handed with bomb." However, the judge had concluded that the claims of al-Waheed being caught with a bomb were "pure fiction." In July 2018, the Independent Press Standards Organisation ordered the paper to publish a front-page correction for breaching accuracy rules. This led to an internal investigation and disciplinary actions against seven senior staff members, with a warning that similar errors would jeopardize their careers.
Doctored Image Controversy
On December 4, 2024, the Daily Mail published an online story about the Russo-Ukrainian War with the headline "Kim Jong Un sends North Korean women to fight as cannon fodder for Putin in Ukraine." The article included a photo appearing to show two Korean women in combat fatigues. It was later revealed that the image was an older photo of Russian soldiers whose facial features had been digitally altered to appear Korean. The Daily Mail faced significant backlash and ridicule on social media, subsequently removing the article and issuing a correction notice.
Legal Battles
Defending Against Claims
The Daily Mail and its parent company have been involved in various legal disputes, both as plaintiffs and defendants. In 2017, editor Paul Dacre threatened legal action against Byline Investigates, demanding the removal of articles concerning the Daily Mail's alleged use of private investigator Steve Whittamore. In November 2019, court documents revealed a lawsuit filed by Meghan Markle against the Daily Mail, accusing the newspaper of a campaign of "untrue" stories.
Notable Successful Lawsuits Against the Mail
The Daily Mail has faced several successful libel lawsuits, resulting in significant damages awarded to plaintiffs:
- 2001 (February): Businessman Alan Sugar was awarded ยฃ100,000 in damages over a story commenting on his stewardship of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
- 2003 (October): Actress Diana Rigg received ยฃ30,000 in damages for a story commenting on aspects of her personality.
- 2006 (May): Musician Elton John was awarded ยฃ100,000 in damages following false accusations regarding his manners and behavior.
- 2009 (January): Austen Ivereigh, a former aide to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, received ยฃ30,000 for false accusations concerning abortion.
- 2010 (July): Parameswaran Subramanyam was awarded ยฃ47,500 for a false claim that he secretly ate hamburgers during a hunger strike.
- 2011 (November): Former lifestyle adviser Carole Caplin received damages over claims that she would reveal intimate details about former clients.
- 2014 (May): Author J. K. Rowling received "substantial damages" and a printed apology from the Mail for a false claim about her story for a single parents' charity.
- 2017 (April): First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, received an undisclosed settlement over claims that she had worked as an escort in the 1990s. She had initially filed a $150 million lawsuit, which was later re-filed in the correct jurisdiction.
- 2018 (June): Earl Spencer accepted undisclosed libel damages from Associated Newspapers over a claim regarding his actions.
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References
References
- Piers Brendon, Eminent Edwardians: Four figures who defined their age: Northcliffe, Balfour, Pankhurst, Baden-Powell (1979), pp 25รขยย26
- May, Margaret; Page, Robert M.; Brunsdon, Edward (2001). Understanding social problems: issues in social policy. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 272.
- Solved: Why pot smoking causes memory loss Wynne Parry 26 October 2011
- Rickards, Maurice; Twyman, Michael (2000). The encyclopaedia of ephemera: a guide to the fragmentary documents of everyday life for the collector, curator, and historian. Routledge. p. 103.
- Newspaper ABCs: Digital statistics for January 2014 20 February 2014
- Smith, Alan (16 June 1966). "Paul Speaks Out!". New Musical Express. Retrieved 9 January 2016 รขยย via Beatlesinterviews.com.
- Katharine Bail Hoskins, Today the Struggle: Literature and Politics in England during the Spanish Civil War (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2014) p. 32
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