Times, The (London)

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[[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
 
[[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
[[Category:Communication]]
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[[Category:Media Organizations]]
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{{epname|Times, The (London)}}
{{Infobox Newspaper |
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'''''The Times''''' is a national [[newspaper]] published daily in the [[United Kingdom]] since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. For much of its history it has been regarded as Britain's newspaper of record and is preserved in the [[British Library]]'s newspaper library in that capacity. Long regarded as one of the world's greatest newspapers, ''The Times'' has nonetheless faced financial and other challenges. Under various owners, the quality and reputation of the paper's editorial writing varied, although it continued to maintain high standards of reporting and accuracy. Challenged as all print newspapers have been by the advent of the [[internet]], ''The Times'' has adapted and maintained its influential role. As the world moves toward increasingly effective and instant communication, the paper continues to impact society both in the role of news and opinion on matters of political import, as well as providing information in the areas of entertainment and general lifestyle interest.
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image = |
 
caption = Front page from a November 2004 edition |
 
type = Daily [[newspaper]] |
 
format = [[Compact (newspaper)|Compact]] ([[Tabloid]]) |
 
foundation = [[1785]] |
 
owners = [[News International]] |
 
political = [[Centre-right]]|
 
headquarters = [[Wapping]],<br>[[London]] |
 
editor = [[Robert William Thomson (journalist)|Robert Thomson]] |
 
website = [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ www.timesonline.co.uk] |
 
}}
 
 
 
'''''The Times''''' is a national [[newspaper]] published daily in the [[United Kingdom]] since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. For much of its history it has been regarded as Britain's [[newspaper of record]] and preserved in the [[British Library]]'s newspaper library in that capacity. It has played an influential role in politics and shaping public opinion about foreign events.
 
 
 
''The Times'', and its sister paper ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'', are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of [[News International]], itself wholly owned by the [[News Corporation]] group, headed by [[Rupert Murdoch]]. Though traditionally a [[right-wing]] newspaper and a strong supporter of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], it has supported [[Labour Party (UK)|New Labour]] in the two last elections,<ref>[http://news.ft.com/cms/s/417fa1a2-ab60-11d9-893c-00000e2511c8,dwp_uuid=fdb2b318-aa9e-11d9-98d7-00000e2511c8.html FT.com / News in depth / UK Election - Election 2005: What the papers said]</ref> after Murdoch allied himself with [[Tony Blair]]<ref>David Rose, "[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/article/151205/government_refuses_to_reveal_details_of_murdoch_meetings Government refuses to reveal details of Murdoch meetings]. In ''Press Gazette'', [[December 15]], [[2005]].</ref>. It has also come to stress Murdoch's "[[neo-conservative]]" views over the broader and more balanced range of conservative views it has traditionally put forward.<ref>[http://www.lancs.ac.uk/staff/trowler/ressite/cut.htm Material Which Never Made It To Publication]</ref>
 
 
 
Outside the UK, ''The Times'' is sometimes referred to as "''The'' [[London]] ''Times''",<ref>"[http://www.wanttoknow.info/011101londontimes  Website Requires Payment to View Article]", WantToKnow.info. URL accessed on 10 June 2006.</ref> or "''The Times'' of London"<ref name="reuters">[http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?storyid=2006-05-26T111843Z_01_L26502972_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-TIMES.xml Murdoch's Times of London to launch US edition], a May 26, 2006 [[Reuters]] article</ref> in order to distinguish it from the many other "Times" papers, such as ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Times of India]]'', and ''[[The Irish Times]]''. It is also the originator of the ubiquitous [[Times New Roman]] typeface, originally developed by [[Stanley Morison]] of ''The Times'' in collaboration with the [[Monotype Corporation]].
 
 
 
''The Times'', printed in [[broadsheet]] format for 200 years, switched to [[Compact (newspaper)|compact]] size in [[2004]], in an attempt to appeal to younger readers<ref name="reuters" />.  In May 2006, it announced plans to launch a [[United States]] edition<ref name="reuters" />; it began publishing on [[June 6]] of the same year.
 
 
 
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
''The Times'' was founded by [[John Walter]] in 1785 as ''The Daily Universal Register''. Unhappy with ''Universal'' being universally ignored by the public{{cite needed}}, Walter changed the title after 940 editions on [[1 January]], [[1788]] to ''The Times''. John Walter was also the first editor of the paper. He resigned in 1803, handing ownership and editorship to the second [[John Walter (second)|John Walter]]. The first John Walter had already spent sixteen months in [[Newgate prison]] for [[libel]] printed in ''The Times'', but his pioneering efforts to obtain European news, especially from [[France]], helped build the paper's reputation among policy makers and financiers.
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''The Times'' was founded by [[John Walter]] in 1785 as ''The Daily Universal Register''. Unhappy with the ''Universal'' being universally ignored by the public, Walter changed the title after 940 editions on January 1, 1788, to ''The Times''. John Walter also served as the first editor of the paper. He resigned in 1803, handing ownership and editorship to his son, [[John Walter (second)|John Walter]] the second. The first John Walter had spent sixteen months in Newgate [[prison]] for libel printed in ''The Times'', but his pioneering efforts to obtain [[Europe]]an news, especially from [[France]], helped build the paper's reputation among policy makers and financiers.
 
 
''The Times'' used contributions from significant figures in the fields of politics, science, literature, and the arts to build its reputation. For much of its early life, the profits of ''The Times'' were very large and the competition minimal, so it could pay far better than its rivals for information or writers.
 
  
In 1809, [[John Stoddart]] was appointed general editor, replaced in 1817 with [[Thomas Barnes (journalist)|Thomas Barnes]]. Under Barnes and his successor in 1841, [[John Thadeus Delane]], the influence of ''The Times'' rose to great heights, especially in politics and amongst the [[City of London]]. Peter Fraser and Edward Sterling were two noted hacks{{cite needed}} and gained for ''The Times'' the pompous/satirical nickname 'The Thunderer' (from "We thundered out the other day an article on social and political reform.").
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''The Times'' used contributions from significant figures in the fields of [[politics]], [[science]], [[literature]], and the [[arts]] to build its reputation. For much of its early life, the profits of ''The Times'' were very large and the competition minimal, with the result that it could pay high rates for good information and writers.
  
''The Times'' was the first newspaper to send special correspondents abroad{{cite needed}}, and it was the first to send [[war correspondent]]s to cover particular conflicts. [[W. H. Russell]], the paper's correspondent with the army in the [[Crimean War]], was immensely influential<ref>Philip Knightley, ''The First Casualty: The War Correspondent as Hero, Propagandist, and Myth-maker from the Crimea to the Gulf War II''</ref> with his dispatches back to England.
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In 1809, John Stoddart was appointed general editor, replaced in 1817 with [[Thomas Barnes (journalist)|Thomas Barnes]]. Under Barnes and his successor in 1841, [[John Thadeus Delane]], the influence of ''The Times'' rose to great heights, especially in [[politics]] and amongst the City of [[London]]. Its companion paper, ''The Sunday Times'', was established in 1822 with a separate editorial staff.
  
In other events of the [[19th century]], ''The Times'' opposed the repeal of the [[Corn Laws]]{{cite needed}} until the number of demonstrations convinced the editorial board otherwise, and only reluctantly supported aid to victims of the [[Irish Potato Famine]]. During the [[American Civil War]], ''The Times'' represented the view of the wealthy classes, favouring the secessionists, but it was not a supporter of slavery. Its support of individual politicians was internally driven and did not pander to public opinion{{cite needed}}.
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''The Times'' was the first newspaper to send [[war]] correspondents to cover particular conflicts. W. H. Russell, the paper's correspondent with the army in the [[Crimean War]], was immensely influential<ref>Philip Knightley, ''The First Casualty: The War Correspondent as Hero, Propagandist, and Myth-maker from the Crimea to the Gulf War II''.</ref> with his dispatches back to England.
  
The third [[John Walter (third)|John Walter]] had succeeded his father in 1847. Though the Walters were becoming more conservative, the paper continued as more or less independent. From the 1850s, however, ''The Times'' was beginning to suffer from the rise in competition from the [[penny press]], notably ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' and ''[[The Morning Post]]''.
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In other events of the nineteenth century, ''The Times'' opposed the repeal of the [[Corn Laws]] until the number of demonstrations convinced the editorial board otherwise, and only reluctantly supported aid to victims of the [[Irish Potato Famine]]. During the [[American Civil War]], ''The Times'' represented the view of the wealthy classes, favoring the secessionists, but it was not a supporter of [[slavery]].  
  
In 1922, [[John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever|John Jacob Astor]], a son of the [[William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor|1st Viscount Astor]], bought ''The Times'' from the [[Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe|Northcliffe]] family estate. The paper gained a measure of notoriety in the 1930s with its advocacy of German [[appeasement]]; then-editor [[George Geoffrey Dawson|Geoffrey Dawson]] was closely allied with those in the government who practised appeasement{{cite needed}}, most notably [[Neville Chamberlain]].
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[[John Walter (third)|John Walter]] the third succeeded his father in 1847. Though the Walters were becoming more conservative, the paper continued as more or less independent. From the 1850s, however, ''The Times'' began to suffer from the rise in competition from the "penny press," notably ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' and ''The Morning Post''.
  
In 1967, members of the [[Astor family]] sold the paper to Canadian publishing magnate [[Roy Thomson]], and in the same year it started printing news on the front page for the first time. (Previously, the paper's front page featured small advertisements, usually of interest to the moneyed classes in British society.{{cite needed}}) The [[Thomson Corporation]] merged it with ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'' to form [[News International#Times Newspapers|Times Newspapers Limited]].
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In 1908, [[Alfred Harmsworth]], 1st Viscount Northcliffe, bought the struggling paper. He secured the paper financially, but his sensationalist approach led to a loss in reputation as a serious newspaper.
  
An industrial dispute left the paper shut down for nearly a year ([[December 1]], [[1978]][[November 12]], [[1979]]).  
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In 1922, [[John Jacob Astor]], a son of William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, bought ''The Times'' from the Northcliffe family estate. The paper gained a measure of notoriety in the 1930s with its advocacy of [[Germany|German]] appeasement. Sir [[William Haley]], who had served as general director of the [[BBC]], took over the editorship in 1952. Under his leadership, ''The Times'' regained its editorial reputation.
  
The [[Thomson Corporation]] management were struggling to run a business under the grip of the print unions at the height of Union powers. Union demands was increasingly difficult to meet. Management were left with no choice but to save both titles by finding a buyer who was in a position to guarantee the survival of both titles, and also one who had the resources and was committed to funding the inevitable migration to technology-based printing.
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In 1967, members of the [[Astor family]] sold the paper to Canadian publishing magnate [[Roy Thomson]], and in the same year it started printing news on the front page for the first time. (Previously, the paper's front page featured small [[advertising|advertisements]], usually of interest to the moneyed classes in British society.)
  
Several suitors appeared, including [[Robert Maxwell]], [[Tiny Rowland]] and [[Lord Rothermere]]; however, only one buyer was in a position to fulfill the full [[Thomson]] remit. That buyer was the Australian media baron [[Rupert Murdoch]].
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An industrial dispute left the paper shut down for nearly a year (December 1, 1978 &ndash; November 12, 1979). Union demands were at loggerheads with the Thomson Corporation's desire to cut jobs. In order to save both titles, the company was forced to find a buyer who could afford to maintain the costly operation or the power to break the Printing Union's influence over the affairs of the paper. Several possible buyers appeared, including [[Robert Maxwell]], and [[Lord Rothermere]]; however, only one buyer was in a position to take over successfully&mdash;the [[Australia]]n media baron [[Rupert Murdoch]]. In 1981, ''The Times'' and ''The Sunday Times'' were purchased from Thomson by Rupert Murdoch's News International. Both papers had their survival guaranteed and it marked a significant own goal for the radical elements within the [[Trade Union]] movement.
  
Both papers had their survival guaranteed and it marked a significant own goal for the radical elements within the Trade Union movement.
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Murdoch soon began making his mark on the paper, replacing its editor, William Rees-Mogg, with Harold Evans in 1981. One of his most important changes was in the introduction of new [[technology]] and efficiency measures. In March-May 1982, following agreement with print unions, the hot-metal Linotype printing process used to print ''The Times'' since the nineteenth century was phased out and replaced by [[computer]] input and photo-composition. This allowed the staff of the print rooms of ''The Times'' and ''The Sunday Times'' to be reduced by half from 375 to 186.<ref>2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3736616.stm Sun and Times to move to new home] BBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref> However, direct input of text by journalists ("single stroke" input) was still not achieved, and this was to remain an interim measure until 1986, which saw ''The Times'' move from its home at New Printing House Square in Gray's Inn Road (near Fleet Street) to new offices in Wapping.<ref>Alan Hamilton, 1982, "The Times bids farewell to old technology," ''The Times,'' 2.</ref>
  
===Rupert Murdoch===
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In November 2003, News International began producing the newspaper in both broadsheet and compact (or tabloid) sizes. On September 13, 2004, the weekday broadsheet was withdrawn from sale in [[Northern Ireland]]. Since November 1, 2004, the paper has been printed solely in compact format. Whilst the newspaper published dual editions, some claimed that the compact version featured more sensationalist stories than the broadsheet, such as celebrities on the front page.<ref>Torin Douglas, 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3967549.stm Death of the Broadsheet?] BBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref><ref>Michael Cunningham, [http://www.recirca.com/backissues/c107/columns.shtml The Incredible Shrinking Machine] CIRCA Art Magazine. Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref> This was denied by management at News International.<ref>Giles Wilson, 2004, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3714293.stm For newspapers, size matters] BBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref><ref>Eric Pfanner, 2003, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2003/12/08/papers_ed3_.php U.K. paper follows rivals into tabloid format: At The Times, size matters] International Herald Tribune. Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref>
In 1981, ''The Times'' and ''The Sunday Times'' were purchased from Thomson by Rupert Murdoch's News International.
 
 
 
Murdoch soon began making his mark on the paper, replacing its editor, [[William Rees-Mogg]], with [[Harold Evans]] in 1981. One of his most important changes was in the introduction of new technology and efficiency measures. In March–May 1982, following agreement with print unions, the hot-metal Linotype printing process used to print ''The Times'' since the 19th century was phased out and replaced by computer input and photo-composition. This allowed the staff of the print rooms of ''The Times'' and ''The Sunday Times'' to be reduced by half<!--from 375 to 186—>{{cite needed}}. However, direct input of text by journalists ("single stroke" input) was still not achieved, and this was to remain an interim measure until the [[Wapping dispute]] of 1986, which saw ''The Times'' move from its home at New Printing House Square in Gray's Inn Road (near [[Fleet Street]]) to new offices in [[Wapping]]<ref>Alan Hamilton, "The Times bids farewell to old technology". ''The Times'', [[May 1]], [[1982]], pg. 2, col. C.</ref>.
 
 
 
In June 1990, ''The Times'' abandoned its policy of using [[courtesy title]]s on first reference ("Mr", "Mrs", or "Miss" prefixes for living persons) but continue to use them on subsequent references. The more formal style is now confined to the "Court and Social" page, though "Ms" is now acceptable in that section.
 
 
 
In November 2003, News International began producing the newspaper in both broadsheet and compact sizes. On [[13 September]] [[2004]], the weekday broadsheet was withdrawn from sale in [[Northern Ireland]]. Since [[1 November]] [[2004]], the paper has been printed solely in compact format. Whilst the newspaper published dual editions, some claimed{{cite needed}} that the compact version featured more [[sensationalist]] stories than the broadsheet, such as [[celebrities]] on the front page. This was denied by management at News International{{cite needed}}.
 
 
 
The [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] announced plans to launch [[litigation]] against ''The Times'' over an incident in which the newspaper claimed that Conservative election strategist [[Lynton Crosby]] had admitted that his party would not win the 2005 [[General Election]]. ''The Times'' later published a clarification, and the litigation was dropped.
 
 
 
On 6 June 2005, ''The Times'' redesigned its Letters page, dropping the practice of printing correspondents' full postal addresses. According to its [[leading article]], "From Our Own Correspondents", this was in order to fit more letters onto the page.
 
 
 
In September 2005, the cover price of ''The Times'' was raised to 60[[pence|p]], the same as ''The Daily Telegraph'' and ''[[The Guardian]]'', and 5p less than ''[[The Independent]]''. It was the first time in twelve years that the cover price of ''The Times'' has matched that of its rivals, a clear indication{{cite needed}} that News International was no longer prepared to fund the price war it had launched in September 1993 by cutting the price of ''The Times'' from 45p to 30p.
 
  
 
==''The Times'' today==
 
==''The Times'' today==
The newspaper's cover price in the United Kingdom is 65p on weekdays (20p for students, at some university campus shops), and [[Pound sterling|£]]1.30 on Saturday. ''The Times''' Sunday sister paper is ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'', a [[broadsheet]]. Its cover price is £2.
 
 
 
===Circulation===
 
===Circulation===
The certified average [[Newspaper circulation|circulation figures]] for November 2005 show that ''The Times'' sold 692,581 copies per day. This was the highest achieved under the current editor, [[Robert James Thomson|Robert Thomson]], and ensured that the newspaper remained ahead of ''The Daily Telegraph'' in terms of full rate sales, although ''The Daily Telegraph'' remains the market leader for broadsheets, with a circulation of 905,955 copies, owing to over 300,000 discount subscribers each day. [[Tabloid newspapers]], such as ''[[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]'', at present outsell both papers with a circulation of around 3,274,855, with their far broader appeal and content.
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The certified average circulation figures for November 2005 showed that ''The Times'' sold 692,581 copies per day. This was the highest achieved under Robert Thomson's editorship, and ensured that the newspaper remained ahead of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' in terms of full rate sales, although ''The Daily Telegraph'' remains the market leader for broadsheets, with a circulation of 905,955 copies, owing to over 300,000 discount subscribers each day. Tabloid newspapers, such as ''The Sun'', have continued to outsell both papers with a circulation of around 3,274,855, with their far broader appeal and content.
  
 
===Image===
 
===Image===
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Long considered the [[United Kingdom|UK]]'s newspaper of record, ''The Times'' is generally viewed as a serious publication with high standards of [[journalism]]. Others, including employees of ''The Times'', feel it has gone downmarket since being acquired by Murdoch,<ref>Simon Jenkins, 2006, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23110-1969162,00.html Journalism: The History of The Times by Graham Stewart] The Times (London). Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref> citing its coverage of celebrities as evidence, though this increased coverage of and emphasis on celebrity- and sports-related news is rarely given prominence on the front page.  
Long considered the UK's newspaper of record, ''The Times'' is seen by some as a serious publication with high standards of journalism. Others, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23110-1969162,00.html including employees of The Times] feel it has gone downmarket since being acquired by Murdoch; they cite its coverage of celebrities as evidence, though this increased coverage of and emphasis on celebrity- and sports-related news is rarely given prominence on the front page.  It is not without trenchant critics, however: [[Robert Fisk]]<ref>Robert Fisk, 2005. ''The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East''. London: Fourth Estate, pp329-334. ISBN 1-84115-007-X</ref>, seven times [[British International Journalist of the Year]], resigned as foreign correspondent in 1988 over what he saw as political censorship of his article on the shooting down of [[Iran Air Flight 655]] in July of that year.
 
  
=== Readership profile and image===
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Although usually editorially independent, some such as Robert Fisk,<ref>Robert Fisk, ''The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East'' (London: Fourth Estate, 2005, ISBN 1-84115-007-X).</ref> seven times British International Journalist of the Year, became critical. Fisk resigned as foreign correspondent in 1988 over what he saw as political [[censorship]] of his article on the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 in July of that year.
The British Business Survey 2005 named ''The Times'' as the UK's leading daily newspaper for business people.  This independent survey was sponsored by ''[[The Financial Times]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Economist]]'', and ''The Times''.
 
  
The latest figures from the national readership survey show ''The Times'' to have the highest number of [[NRS social grade|ABC1]] 25–44 readers and the largest numbers of readers in London of any of the "quality" papers.
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=== Readership profile ===
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The British Business Survey 2005 named ''The Times'' as the UK's leading daily newspaper for business people. This independent survey was sponsored by ''[[The Financial Times]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Economist]]'', and ''The Times''.
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The latest figures from the national readership survey show ''The Times'' to have the highest number of middle [[social class|class]] 25&ndash;44 year-old readers, and the largest numbers of readers in [[London]] of any of the "quality" papers.
  
 
==Supplements==
 
==Supplements==
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===''Times 2'' / ''T2''===
 
===''Times 2'' / ''T2''===
''T2'' is ''The Times'''s main supplement, featuring various lifestyle columns. On [[5 September]] [[2005]], it relaunched as ''Times 2'' and is now and aimed at [[women]], describing itself as ''The thinking woman's daily supplement''. It has an image of the day and a modern morals column, where people ask [[Joe Joseph]] if they lead moral lives. However, the supplement continues to be popular with male readers, it containing a [[sudoku]] puzzle and a simpler, concise [[crossword]].
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''T2'' was developed as ''The Times''' main supplement, featuring various lifestyle columns. On September 5, 2005, it relaunched as ''Times 2'', aimed at women and describing itself as ''The thinking woman's daily supplement''. It has an image of the day and a modern [[morality|morals]] column, where people write in asking if they lead moral lives. The supplement continues to be popular with male readers, containing a sudoku and a simpler, concise [[crossword puzzle]].
  
 
===''Crème''===
 
===''Crème''===
''Crème'' is the newspaper's supplement for "PAs, secretaries, executive assistants and anyone who works in administrative support."<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,8247,00.html</ref> It is read by more secretaries than ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Evening Standard]]''<ref>NRS, April [[2004|04]] &ndash; March [[2005|05]]</ref>.
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''Crème'' is the newspaper's supplement for "PAs, secretaries, executive assistants and anyone who works in administrative support."<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,8247,00.html Creme Jobs] The Times (London). Retrieved February 25, 2008.</ref> It is read by more secretaries than ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''The Evening Standard''.
  
 
===''The Times Magazine''===
 
===''The Times Magazine''===
''The Times Magazine'' accompanies the newspaper on Saturday, and features columns touching on various subjects such as celebrities, fashion and beauty, food and drink, homes and gardens or simply writers' anecdotes. Notable contributors include [[Gordon Ramsay]], one of Britain's highest profile [[chef]]s, and [[Giles Coren]], Food And Drink Writer of the Year in 2005.
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''The Times Magazine'' accompanies the newspaper on Saturday, and features columns touching on various subjects such as celebrities, fashion and beauty, food and drink, homes and gardens or simply writers' anecdotes. Notable contributors have included Gordon Ramsay, one of Britain's highest profile chefs, and Giles Coren, Food And Drink Writer of the Year in 2005.
  
 
===''The Knowledge''===
 
===''The Knowledge''===
''The Knowledge'' is supplied in the newspaper on a Saturday. This includes information on 'Arts & Entertainment' and 'TV & Radio', by going into detail about whats on and what is worthwhile going to see. It is usuall split up into sections of 'Starts' , 'Screen' which includes film, DVD, Internet and Games. 'Stages' which is further split into Theatre, Dance, Opear and Comedy. 'Sounds' which informs us about Music, Clubs, Concerts and 'Sights' further sectioned into Museums, Galleries, Events and Kids.
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''The Knowledge'' is supplied in the newspaper on Saturday. This includes information on 'Arts & Entertainment' and 'TV & Radio', offering detailed information on shows. It is usually divided into sections of 'Starts', 'Screen' which includes film, DVD, Internet, and Games, 'Stages' which is further split into Theatre, Dance, Opera, and Comedy, 'Sounds' which provides information about Music, Clubs, and Concerts, and 'Sights' further sectioned into Museums, Galleries, Events, and Kids.
 
 
[[Image:Theknowledge.png|thumb|left|The Knowledge magazine.]]
 
  
 
===''Body and Soul''===
 
===''Body and Soul''===
''Body and Soul'' is complementary with Saturdays Times, this is a useful weekly guide to a better lifestyle. It also includes a pull out named ''The Times Money''
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''Body and Soul'' is included with Saturday editions. This is a weekly guide to a better lifestyle, and also includes a pull out named ''The Times Money''.
 
 
[[Image:Bodyandsoul.png|thumb|right|The Saturday Times' '''Body and Soul'''.]]
 
 
 
==Events==
 
''The Times'', along with the [[British Film Institute]], sponsors the [[London Film Festival]] (or more specifically, The Times ''bfi'' London Film Festival). [[As of 2005]], it is Europe's largest public event for [[motion picture]]s.
 
 
 
''The Times'' also sponsors the [[Cheltenham Festival of Literature]].
 
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{{col-2}}
 
==Ownership==
 
*[[John Walter]] (1785–1803)
 
*[[John Walter (second)|John Walter, 2nd]] (1803–1847)
 
*[[John Walter (third)|John Walter, 3rd]] (1847–1894)
 
*[[Arthur Fraser Walter]] (1894–1908)
 
*[[Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe|Lord Northcliffe]] (1908–1922)
 
*[[Astor family]] (1922–1966)
 
*[[Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet|Roy Thomson]] (1966–1981)
 
*News International, run by [[Rupert Murdoch]] (1981— )
 
 
 
==Editors==
 
*[[John Walter]] (1785–1803)
 
*[[John Walter (second)|John Walter]] (1803–1809)
 
*[[John Stoddart]] (1809–1817)
 
*[[Thomas Barnes (journalist)|Thomas Barnes]] (1817–1841)
 
*[[John Delane]] (1841–1877)
 
*[[Thomas Chenery]] (1877–1884)
 
*[[George Earle Buckle]] (1884–1912)
 
*[[George Geoffrey Dawson]] (1912–1919)
 
*[[Wickham Steed|Henry Wickham Steed]] (1919–1922)
 
*[[George Geoffrey Dawson]] (1923–1941)
 
*[[Robert McGowan Barrington-Ward]] (1941–1948)
 
*[[William Casey (editor)|William Casey]] (1948–1952)
 
*[[William Haley]] (1952–1966)
 
*[[William Rees-Mogg]] (1967–1981)
 
*[[Harold Evans]] (1981–1982)
 
*[[Charles Douglas-Home (journalist)|Charles Douglas-Home]] (1982–1985)
 
*[[Charles Wilson (journalist)|Charles Wilson]] (1985–1990)
 
*[[Simon Jenkins]] (1990–1992)
 
*[[Peter Stothard]] (1992–2002)
 
*[[Robert James Thomson|Robert Thomson]] (2002— )
 
{{col-2}}
 
==Current columnists and journalists==
 
*[[Rachel Campbell-Johnston]]
 
*[[Sam Coates]]
 
*[[Ben Hoyle]]
 
*[[Hugo Rifkind]]
 
*[[Anthony Browne]]
 
*[[Hugh McIlvanney]]
 
*[[Richard Ford]]
 
*[[Martin Samuel]]
 
*[[Simon Barnes]]
 
*[[Graham Stewart (columnist)|Graham Stewart]]
 
*[[Frances Gibb]]
 
*[[Benjamin Cohen (internet)|Benjamin Cohen]], e-business columnist
 
*[[Adam Fresco]]
 
*[[Alan Coren]]
 
*[[Ruth Gledhill]]
 
*[[Giles Coren]]
 
*[[Andrew Pierce]]
 
*[[Robert Crampton]]
 
*[[Nigel Hawkes]]
 
*[[Dan Sabbagh]]
 
*[[Michael Gove]]
 
*[[Philip Webster]]
 
*[[Tim Hames]]
 
*[[Stewart Tendler]]
 
*[[Anthony Howard (journalist)|Anthony Howard]]
 
*[[Philip Howard]]
 
*[[Mick Hume]]
 
*[[Anatole Kaletsky]]
 
*[[Magnus Linklater]]
 
*[[Richard Lloyd Parry]]
 
*[[Anthony Loyd]], war correspondent on retainer
 
*[[Ben Macintyre]]
 
*[[Caitlin Moran]]
 
*[[Richard Morrison]]
 
*[[Kate Muir]]
 
*[[Matthew Parris]]
 
*[[Libby Purves]]
 
*[[William Rees-Mogg]]
 
*[[Peter Riddell]]
 
*[[Nick Robinson]]
 
*[[Mary Ann Sieghart]]
 
*[[Andrew Sullivan]]
 
*[[Janice Turner]]
 
*[[Ann Treneman]]
 
*[[Aki Riihilahti]]
 
*[[Gordon Ramsay]]
 
*[[Guillem Balague]]
 
{{col-end}}
 
 
 
==In popular culture==
 
*During the time [[Ian Fleming]] was writing his [[James Bond]] books, Fleming had established that James Bond often is a reader of ''The Times''{{cite needed}}.
 
 
 
*In [[George Orwell]]'s classic, ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'' (written in the 1940s), the main character Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth. His job is to edit reportings in previous issues of ''The Times'' in order for the government's targets to appear upheld.
 
 
 
*A [[Punch Magazine|''Punch'']] cartoon once featured a butler ushering into his master's presence "Three reporters, m'lud, and a gentleman from ''The Times''"{{cite needed}}.
 
 
 
*On two occasions in 1882 a practical joker at the ''Times'' inserted a few words of obscenity into the text of the newspaper: in both cases, it was put on sale before the interpolation was noticed (see [[Harcourt interpolation]]).
 
 
 
*In the Monty Python sketch [[Ministry of silly walks]], the lead character played by [[John Cleese]] purchases a copy of ''The Times'' before going to the ministry.
 
 
 
*In his book ''[[Notes From a Small Island]]'', [[Bill Bryson]] writes that when he was deputy editor of the business section at ''The Times'', he was often unable to gain access to the day's [[stock exchange]] values, mainly because a co-worker often refused to give them to him. As a result, and for more than a year, he used the market values from the early edition of ''[[The Financial Times]]''.
 
 
 
*Great Uncle Bulgaria, chief of the [[Wimbledon]] [[Wombles]] is often seen reading The Times.
 
  
==Notes and references==
+
==Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ Official website], including a [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,2941,00.html Style Guide]
+
All links retrieved November 24, 2015.
* [http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/ Driving section including news, reviews] and [http://www.driving.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,12529,00.html opinion from Jeremy Clarkson].
 
* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1686500,00.html Wapping: legacy of Rupert's revolution], [[January 15]], [[2006]] - ''[[The Observer]]'' - Three views of the industrial dispute twenty years on.
 
  
 +
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ Official website]
 +
* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1686500,00.html Wapping: legacy of Rupert's revolution]
  
 
{{Credit1|The_Times|94871904|}}
 
{{Credit1|The_Times|94871904|}}

Revision as of 20:48, 30 October 2022


The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. For much of its history it has been regarded as Britain's newspaper of record and is preserved in the British Library's newspaper library in that capacity. Long regarded as one of the world's greatest newspapers, The Times has nonetheless faced financial and other challenges. Under various owners, the quality and reputation of the paper's editorial writing varied, although it continued to maintain high standards of reporting and accuracy. Challenged as all print newspapers have been by the advent of the internet, The Times has adapted and maintained its influential role. As the world moves toward increasingly effective and instant communication, the paper continues to impact society both in the role of news and opinion on matters of political import, as well as providing information in the areas of entertainment and general lifestyle interest.

History

The Times was founded by John Walter in 1785 as The Daily Universal Register. Unhappy with the Universal being universally ignored by the public, Walter changed the title after 940 editions on January 1, 1788, to The Times. John Walter also served as the first editor of the paper. He resigned in 1803, handing ownership and editorship to his son, John Walter the second. The first John Walter had spent sixteen months in Newgate prison for libel printed in The Times, but his pioneering efforts to obtain European news, especially from France, helped build the paper's reputation among policy makers and financiers.

The Times used contributions from significant figures in the fields of politics, science, literature, and the arts to build its reputation. For much of its early life, the profits of The Times were very large and the competition minimal, with the result that it could pay high rates for good information and writers.

In 1809, John Stoddart was appointed general editor, replaced in 1817 with Thomas Barnes. Under Barnes and his successor in 1841, John Thadeus Delane, the influence of The Times rose to great heights, especially in politics and amongst the City of London. Its companion paper, The Sunday Times, was established in 1822 with a separate editorial staff.

The Times was the first newspaper to send war correspondents to cover particular conflicts. W. H. Russell, the paper's correspondent with the army in the Crimean War, was immensely influential[1] with his dispatches back to England.

In other events of the nineteenth century, The Times opposed the repeal of the Corn Laws until the number of demonstrations convinced the editorial board otherwise, and only reluctantly supported aid to victims of the Irish Potato Famine. During the American Civil War, The Times represented the view of the wealthy classes, favoring the secessionists, but it was not a supporter of slavery.

John Walter the third succeeded his father in 1847. Though the Walters were becoming more conservative, the paper continued as more or less independent. From the 1850s, however, The Times began to suffer from the rise in competition from the "penny press," notably The Daily Telegraph and The Morning Post.

In 1908, Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, bought the struggling paper. He secured the paper financially, but his sensationalist approach led to a loss in reputation as a serious newspaper.

In 1922, John Jacob Astor, a son of William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, bought The Times from the Northcliffe family estate. The paper gained a measure of notoriety in the 1930s with its advocacy of German appeasement. Sir William Haley, who had served as general director of the BBC, took over the editorship in 1952. Under his leadership, The Times regained its editorial reputation.

In 1967, members of the Astor family sold the paper to Canadian publishing magnate Roy Thomson, and in the same year it started printing news on the front page for the first time. (Previously, the paper's front page featured small advertisements, usually of interest to the moneyed classes in British society.)

An industrial dispute left the paper shut down for nearly a year (December 1, 1978 – November 12, 1979). Union demands were at loggerheads with the Thomson Corporation's desire to cut jobs. In order to save both titles, the company was forced to find a buyer who could afford to maintain the costly operation or the power to break the Printing Union's influence over the affairs of the paper. Several possible buyers appeared, including Robert Maxwell, and Lord Rothermere; however, only one buyer was in a position to take over successfully—the Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch. In 1981, The Times and The Sunday Times were purchased from Thomson by Rupert Murdoch's News International. Both papers had their survival guaranteed and it marked a significant own goal for the radical elements within the Trade Union movement.

Murdoch soon began making his mark on the paper, replacing its editor, William Rees-Mogg, with Harold Evans in 1981. One of his most important changes was in the introduction of new technology and efficiency measures. In March-May 1982, following agreement with print unions, the hot-metal Linotype printing process used to print The Times since the nineteenth century was phased out and replaced by computer input and photo-composition. This allowed the staff of the print rooms of The Times and The Sunday Times to be reduced by half from 375 to 186.[2] However, direct input of text by journalists ("single stroke" input) was still not achieved, and this was to remain an interim measure until 1986, which saw The Times move from its home at New Printing House Square in Gray's Inn Road (near Fleet Street) to new offices in Wapping.[3]

In November 2003, News International began producing the newspaper in both broadsheet and compact (or tabloid) sizes. On September 13, 2004, the weekday broadsheet was withdrawn from sale in Northern Ireland. Since November 1, 2004, the paper has been printed solely in compact format. Whilst the newspaper published dual editions, some claimed that the compact version featured more sensationalist stories than the broadsheet, such as celebrities on the front page.[4][5] This was denied by management at News International.[6][7]

The Times today

Circulation

The certified average circulation figures for November 2005 showed that The Times sold 692,581 copies per day. This was the highest achieved under Robert Thomson's editorship, and ensured that the newspaper remained ahead of The Daily Telegraph in terms of full rate sales, although The Daily Telegraph remains the market leader for broadsheets, with a circulation of 905,955 copies, owing to over 300,000 discount subscribers each day. Tabloid newspapers, such as The Sun, have continued to outsell both papers with a circulation of around 3,274,855, with their far broader appeal and content.

Image

Long considered the UK's newspaper of record, The Times is generally viewed as a serious publication with high standards of journalism. Others, including employees of The Times, feel it has gone downmarket since being acquired by Murdoch,[8] citing its coverage of celebrities as evidence, though this increased coverage of and emphasis on celebrity- and sports-related news is rarely given prominence on the front page.

Although usually editorially independent, some such as Robert Fisk,[9] seven times British International Journalist of the Year, became critical. Fisk resigned as foreign correspondent in 1988 over what he saw as political censorship of his article on the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 in July of that year.

Readership profile

The British Business Survey 2005 named The Times as the UK's leading daily newspaper for business people. This independent survey was sponsored by The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Economist, and The Times.

The latest figures from the national readership survey show The Times to have the highest number of middle class 25–44 year-old readers, and the largest numbers of readers in London of any of the "quality" papers.

Supplements

Times 2 / T2

T2 was developed as The Times' main supplement, featuring various lifestyle columns. On September 5, 2005, it relaunched as Times 2, aimed at women and describing itself as The thinking woman's daily supplement. It has an image of the day and a modern morals column, where people write in asking if they lead moral lives. The supplement continues to be popular with male readers, containing a sudoku and a simpler, concise crossword puzzle.

Crème

Crème is the newspaper's supplement for "PAs, secretaries, executive assistants and anyone who works in administrative support."[10] It is read by more secretaries than The Guardian and The Evening Standard.

The Times Magazine

The Times Magazine accompanies the newspaper on Saturday, and features columns touching on various subjects such as celebrities, fashion and beauty, food and drink, homes and gardens or simply writers' anecdotes. Notable contributors have included Gordon Ramsay, one of Britain's highest profile chefs, and Giles Coren, Food And Drink Writer of the Year in 2005.

The Knowledge

The Knowledge is supplied in the newspaper on Saturday. This includes information on 'Arts & Entertainment' and 'TV & Radio', offering detailed information on shows. It is usually divided into sections of 'Starts', 'Screen' which includes film, DVD, Internet, and Games, 'Stages' which is further split into Theatre, Dance, Opera, and Comedy, 'Sounds' which provides information about Music, Clubs, and Concerts, and 'Sights' further sectioned into Museums, Galleries, Events, and Kids.

Body and Soul

Body and Soul is included with Saturday editions. This is a weekly guide to a better lifestyle, and also includes a pull out named The Times Money.

Notes

  1. Philip Knightley, The First Casualty: The War Correspondent as Hero, Propagandist, and Myth-maker from the Crimea to the Gulf War II.
  2. 2004, Sun and Times to move to new home BBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  3. Alan Hamilton, 1982, "The Times bids farewell to old technology," The Times, 2.
  4. Torin Douglas, 2004, Death of the Broadsheet? BBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  5. Michael Cunningham, The Incredible Shrinking Machine CIRCA Art Magazine. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  6. Giles Wilson, 2004, For newspapers, size matters BBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  7. Eric Pfanner, 2003, U.K. paper follows rivals into tabloid format: At The Times, size matters International Herald Tribune. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  8. Simon Jenkins, 2006, Journalism: The History of The Times by Graham Stewart The Times (London). Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  9. Robert Fisk, The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East (London: Fourth Estate, 2005, ISBN 1-84115-007-X).
  10. Creme Jobs The Times (London). Retrieved February 25, 2008.

External links

All links retrieved November 24, 2015.

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