The Michigan Daily

The Michigan Daily. It is the independent student newspaper of the University of Michigan, published in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1890, it is one of the oldest and most respected daily college newspapers in the United States. The publication operates entirely independently from the university's administration and is financially self-sufficient through advertising revenue.

History

The first issue was published on September 29, 1890, originally as a weekly publication before transitioning to a daily schedule in the early 20th century. Its early offices were located in the University of Michigan Law School building before moving to its long-time home at 420 Maynard Street in 1935, a building later named in honor of longtime student publications director William J. Branstrom. The publication has chronicled major campus and world events, including student protests during the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. In 1987, it played a key role in breaking the story of the University of Michigan's investment portfolio ties to apartheid-era South Africa, contributing to the national divestment movement. The newspaper moved to its current headquarters in the Student Publications Building on Hill Street in 2015.

Content and operations

The publication is produced by a staff of over 400 student volunteers and is published digitally daily, with a weekly print edition distributed across campus. Its content is divided into several sections including News, Sports, Arts, Opinion, and The Statement. The Sports section provides extensive coverage of Michigan Wolverines athletics, particularly the storied Michigan Wolverines football program. The Arts section reviews performances at venues like the Power Center for the Performing Arts and covers the local music scene. The Opinion section features editorials from the editorial board and columns from staff and community members. Operations are funded entirely through advertising and a small endowment, with a business staff managing finances and client relations separate from the editorial staff.

Notable alumni

Numerous distinguished journalists and public figures began their careers on its staff. Daniel Okrent, the first public editor of The New York Times and inventor of fantasy baseball, was a former editor. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists include Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post and the late David Ashenfelter of the Detroit Free Press. Notable political commentators include Mike Barnicle, former columnist for the Boston Globe, and James Fallows of The Atlantic. In sports media, alumni include Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated and John U. Bacon, a noted author and commentator on Michigan Wolverines football. Other prominent alumni include filmmaker and writer Ken Burns, former CNN president Tom Johnson, and Anna Clark, an award-winning journalist specializing in Detroit and urban policy.

Impact and recognition

It is consistently ranked among the top college newspapers in the nation and is considered a vital training ground for professional journalism. The paper's investigative work has often had significant impact, such as its reporting on university investments and campus safety issues. Its archives, housed at the Bentley Historical Library, serve as a primary historical record of student life and administration at the University of Michigan. The publication has been a finalist for the Pacemaker Award, often called the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate journalism, on numerous occasions. It fosters a strong tradition of editorial independence, with its alumni maintaining a powerful network within major media organizations like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ESPN.

Category:Student newspapers published in Michigan Category:University of Michigan Category:Publications established in 1890