Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Name	Philippine Daily Inquirer
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Founded	1985
Founder	Eugenia Apostol, Betty Go-Belmonte, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc
Publisher	Inquirer Holdings
Headquarters	Makati, Metro Manila
Language	English, Filipino
Circulation	National

Philippine Daily Inquirer is a major English-language broadsheet newspaper published in the Philippines. Founded in 1985 during the People Power period, it quickly became influential in Filipino public life, reporting on national events, politics, and culture. The paper has played roles in covering presidencies, elections, and social movements, and competes with other national titles.

History

The paper was launched amid the aftermath of the People Power Revolution and the downfall of the Ferdinand Marcos administration, with founders linked to alternative publications such as Mr. & Ms. Special Edition and The Philippine Inquirer (1970s). Early editors and journalists who shaped its voice included names associated with Eugenia Apostol, Betty Go-Belmonte, and Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, and the paper covered key events like the presidency of Corazon Aquino, the Coup attempts against Corazon Aquino, the administrations of Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada, and the 2001 EDSA II protests. Through the 2000s and 2010s the paper reported on the administrations of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, and Rodrigo Duterte, as well as major incidents such as the Maguindanao massacre and the siege of Marawi. The publication adapted to digital change with online editions and multimedia initiatives amid competition from Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, and broadcast entities like ABS-CBN and GMA Network.

Organization and Ownership

The newspaper operates under a corporate structure tied to media conglomerates and investment groups including entities related to Inquirer Holdings. Ownership changes and corporate maneuvers involved business figures and conglomerates with connections to families known in Philippine business circles and sectors such as banking and real estate, paralleling transactions seen in corporations like DMCI Holdings, Ayala Corporation, and San Miguel Corporation. Executive leadership has included editors-in-chief and publishers who previously held roles in other media organizations such as Manila Times and BusinessWorld, while board members have included professionals with backgrounds in law, finance, and academia linked to institutions like Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines.

Editorial Profile and Content

Editorially the paper has combined news reporting, investigative journalism, opinion columns, and lifestyle coverage, featuring journalists and columnists whose careers intersect with outlets such as Rappler, ABS-CBN News, and GMA News Online. Coverage routinely spans Philippine politics—presidential elections featuring candidates like Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Leni Robredo—as well as international affairs involving actors such as United States officials, China relations, and regional institutions like ASEAN. Cultural reporting includes features on figures from Philippine cinema such as Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, artists associated with Cultural Center of the Philippines, and events like Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Business pages report on markets tied to indices and companies such as Philippine Stock Exchange, Meralco, and San Miguel Corporation, while sports sections cover teams and events linked to Philippine Basketball Association and international competitions involving athletes like Manny Pacquiao. The paper’s op-eds have hosted voices from politicians, academics from University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University, and civil society leaders connected to NGOs such as Bantay Bayan.

Circulation and Distribution

The newspaper maintains national circulation across Metro Manila and regional centers including Cebu, Davao City, and Iloilo City, and distributes in overseas Filipino communities in locations connected to diaspora hubs such as Hong Kong, United States, and Middle East. Print circulation declined as digital readership rose, mirroring trends affecting titles like The New York Times and The Guardian, prompting investment in online platforms, mobile apps, and social media channels comparable to strategies used by BBC News and CNN. Distribution networks involve partnerships with logistics firms and newsstand chains found in malls operated by groups like SM Supermalls and Robinsons Malls.

Controversies and Legal Issues

The paper has faced libel and defamation claims reflecting tensions between media and political figures, with legal actions resembling high-profile cases involving journalists from Rappler and broadcasters from ABS-CBN. Coverage controversies have touched on reporting about administrations and political actors associated with figures such as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte, leading to public debates reminiscent of disputes involving Inquirer.net peer organizations. Internal disputes and management controversies paralleled corporate episodes seen in media ownership changes, while reporting on sensitive incidents like the Maguindanao massacre generated legal scrutiny and safety concerns for journalists similar to challenges faced by reporters covering the War on Drugs (Philippine).

Awards and Recognition

The newspaper and its journalists have received awards from institutions and media bodies comparable to honors by the National Press Club of the Philippines, the Philippine Press Institute, and international prizes akin to Committee to Protect Journalists recognitions. Investigative pieces and breaking reports earned citations in journalism competitions alongside recipients from outlets like Philippine Star and ABS-CBN News, and individual reporters have been acknowledged by academic institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University for excellence in journalism and public service reporting.

Category:Newspapers published in the Philippines