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The Boston Globe

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The Boston Globe is a major American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe

As the oldest and largest daily newspaper in Boston, it holds a significant place in American journalism. It is currently ranked as the tenth-largest newspaper in the United States by print circulation. The publication serves as a primary source of news for the New England region. It has earned a reputation as a prestigious institution for its investigative reporting and editorial voice.

The Boston Globe, April 18, 2011
The Boston Globe, April 18, 2011

The newspaper's history began in 1872 when six businessmen invested $150,000 to found it.

1871 Boston Daily Globe Building (Boston Public Library) (cropped)
1871 Boston Daily Globe Building (Boston Public Library) (cropped)

These founders included Eben Dyer Jordan and Cyrus Wakefield. Shortly after its start, Charles H. Taylor became the general manager. Taylor served as the first publisher until his death in 1921. His descendants continued to manage the company for several decades. This family leadership lasted until 1999. Throughout its history, the paper has released various editions. It began as a morning daily and added a Sunday edition in 1877.

1896 BostonDailyGlobe ad Bradley His Book v1 no2
1896 BostonDailyGlobe ad Bradley His Book v1 no2

It also published an afternoon edition called The Boston Evening Globe from 1878 until 1979.

Ownership of the Globe has undergone dramatic shifts due to changing economic values. In 1993, The New York Times Company purchased the paper for $1.1 billion. This transaction was one of the most expensive print purchases in United States history. However, the paper's value declined significantly over the following two decades. It lost more than 90% of its value in that 20-year period. In 2013, John W. Henry purchased the Globe for $70 million.

John W Henry-Fenway (cropped)
John W Henry-Fenway (cropped)

Henry is also known as the owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool F.C. Under his ownership, the venture was renamed Boston Globe Media. He appointed Mike Sheehan as CEO in 2014.

The Globe is highly recognized for its excellence in journalism through many awards. It has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes. These awards recognize high-quality reporting and editorial work. In 1967, the paper made history by becoming the first major U.S. newspaper to oppose the Vietnam War.

Pulitzer2018-marty-baron-20180530-wp
Pulitzer2018-marty-baron-20180530-wp

In 2007, reporter Charlie Savage won a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. His work focused on the use of signing statements by President Bush. The paper has also been recognized by Time magazine as one of the best daily newspapers in the country. These honors reflect the paper's role in shaping national conversation.

One of the most significant moments in the paper's recent history involved investigative journalism. Between 2001 and 2003, reporters uncovered a sex abuse scandal within the Roman Catholic Church.

Pulitzer2018-marty-baron-20180530-wp
Pulitzer2018-marty-baron-20180530-wp

Key figures in this investigation included Michael Rezendes, Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, and Walter Robinson. Editor Ben Bradlee Jr. also played an instrumental role. This deep reporting on Massachusetts churches received international attention. The work was later the basis for the 2015 film Spotlight. This film won an Academy Award and focused on the paper's investigative division. Such work demonstrates the power of the press to hold large institutions accountable.

The newspaper has also adapted to the digital age to maintain its reach. In 1995, the company launched Boston.com on the World Wide Web. The website has consistently ranked among the top ten newspaper websites in America. It has also won regional Emmy Awards for its video production. In 2011, the Globe launched a dedicated, subscription-based website at bostoglobe.com. By the 2022-2023 period, the combined print and digital weekday circulation reached 346,944. Sunday circulation was even higher at 408,974. The paper also maintains over 245,000 digital-only subscriptions. This shift shows how traditional news organizations transition to modern technology.

Finally, the Globe maintains a distinct relationship with its community and its rivals. The editorial pages represent the official view of the paper as a community institution. While the paper has endorsed Democratic presidential candidates, it has also endorsed Republicans for local offices. In 2012, the Globe provided printing and circulation services for its rival, the Boston Herald. This arrangement lasted until 2018. The paper has also moved its physical operations to stay efficient. In 2017, it moved its printing to Taunton and its headquarters to the Financial District in downtown Boston. These changes help the Globe continue its long legacy of reporting.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:The_Boston_Globe.svg
The_Boston_Globe.svg
File:The Boston Globe, April 18, 2011.jpeg
The Boston Globe, April 18, 2011.jpeg
File:1896 BostonDailyGlobe ad Bradley His Book v1 no2.png
1896 BostonDailyGlobe ad Bradley His Book...
File:1871 Boston Daily Globe Building (Boston Public Library) (cropped).jpg
1871 Boston Daily Globe Building (Boston...
File:Old Boston Globe Building.png
Old Boston Globe Building.png
File:Boston Globe building Sept 2009.jpg
Boston Globe building Sept 2009.jpg
File:John W Henry-Fenway (cropped).jpg
John W Henry-Fenway (cropped).jpg
File:The Rise and Fall Off of T. Reed (filter).jpg
The Rise and Fall Off of T. Reed (filter).jpg
File:Charles H. Taylor (publisher).png
Charles H. Taylor (publisher).png
File:Edwin M Bacon.jpg
Edwin M Bacon.jpg
File:Pulitzer2018-marty-baron-20180530-wp.jpg
Pulitzer2018-marty-baron-20180530-wp.jpg
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