What Creates a Valuable Paper

We conducted an interview with Scott Widener, who previously worked as a Researcher at The Daily News. Scott has over 28 years of experience in the news industry and shared his note-worthy thoughts on everything that distinguishes a valuable paper for beneficial stakeholders.

Scott described the central aspect that creates an appreciated paper is placing the readers as the utmost priority. The Daily News aimed to build a local connection with readers by addressing the middle and working class.

“If you were riding the subway you would see the majority of people holding The Daily News”.

The Daily News is respected as it often focuses on local issues pertaining to the working class and strives to provide a voice to unheard minorities such as the Black and Hispanic communities.

Scott expressed the front page as what sells the paper. “In tabloid terms, the front page is called your wood, that is your department store window, that is how you attract the reader”. The other boroughs; Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn were considered the suburban parts of the city. The Daily News appealed to these areas often placing Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx in the spotlight on the front page so all the attention was not just focused on Manhattan. The paper also provided the boroughs with separate sections that only focused on local news providing a sense of community and inclusiveness. Over time the suburban parts of the paper were eliminated due to cost. However, The Daily News stayed strong as a paper that continued to provide a voice to unheard communities.

Scott conveyed that a valuable paper is more than just a means of leisure. He described the paper as a powerful tool that minorities and the working class need as it makes a difference in people's lives daily by providing awareness, accountability and a voice when theirs goes unheard.

cover image from: https://cpusa.org/article/the-working-class-in-contemporary-capitalism/