Toronto Globe and Mail

Toronto Globe and Mail
source
Name	The Globe and Mail
Caption	Front page
Type	National daily newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Founded	1844
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Language	English
Owners	The Woodbridge Company

Toronto Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper based in Toronto, Ontario, with a nationwide print and digital readership covering Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax. Founded in the mid-19th century, it has reported on major events including the Confederation of Canada, the First World War, the Second World War, and modern developments like the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Paris Agreement. The paper has influenced public debate during episodes involving figures such as John A. Macdonald, Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien, and Stephen Harper.

History

The paper traces roots to the 19th century press environment shaped by proprietors like George Brown and competitors such as the Toronto Star and the Montreal Gazette. Early coverage engaged with debates over the Rebellions of 1837–1838, the Act of Union 1840, and the push for Canadian Confederation alongside contemporaries including The Globe (1844) and The Mail (1872). During the First World War and the Second World War the newsroom intersected with reporting on the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Dieppe Raid, and postwar reconstruction involving actors like Lester B. Pearson and William Lyon Mackenzie King. The 20th century saw consolidations reflecting trends also seen at outlets such as The Ottawa Citizen and the National Post, while editorial shifts paralleled the careers of columnists who commented on events like the October Crisis and the FLQ affair.

Ownership and organization

Ownership evolved through mergers and acquisitions involving media groups comparable to Thomson Corporation and Postmedia Network, culminating in control by investment interests such as The Woodbridge Company and families akin to the Thomson family. Corporate governance structures have included boards with directors drawn from institutions like the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Royal Bank of Canada, and collaborations with broadcasters including Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and private networks such as Bell Media and Rogers Communications. Executive leadership has featured editors and publishers who engaged with regulators like the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and institutions such as Osgoode Hall Law School and University of Toronto faculties.

Editorial content and sections

The paper’s coverage spans politics, business, arts, and sports with sections comparable to those in The New York Times and The Guardian. Political reporting frequently profiles leaders including Justin Trudeau, Tom Mulcair, Erin O'Toole, Jagmeet Singh, and provincial premiers such as Doug Ford and Rachel Notley. Business pages cover companies like Bombardier, Royal Bank of Canada, Suncor Energy, Shopify, and BlackBerry. Arts and culture features profile creators from the Toronto International Film Festival and venues like the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario, and review works by authors such as Margaret Atwood, musicians like Drake, and filmmakers including David Cronenberg. Sports reporting includes events like the Stanley Cup Finals, franchises such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and athletes like Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid.

Circulation and distribution

Print circulation has declined in patterns mirrored by legacy outlets including The Globe (1844), Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post as readership shifted toward digital platforms pioneered by organizations like BuzzFeed and The Huffington Post. Distribution networks involve partnerships with carriers across regions including York Region, Peel Region, and urban centers like Mississauga and Markham. Weekend editions and specialty supplements are timed with cultural calendars such as the Toronto International Film Festival and sporting seasons including the Major League Baseball schedule, while subscription models interact with payment services used by corporations like Visa and Mastercard.

Digital presence and online services

The outlet’s digital strategy parallels developments at outlets such as The New Yorker and The Atlantic, offering multimedia journalism incorporating video, podcasts, and interactive graphics similar to projects by NPR and BBC News. The online platform distributes content to audiences in markets including Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg and integrates with social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Digital initiatives include investigative teams that collaborate with non-profits like The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and data projects akin to those by ProPublica and employ analytics comparable to tools from Google and Adobe.

Controversies and criticism

Like peer organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, the paper has faced controversies over editorial decisions, corrections, and opaque sourcing during events involving coverage of figures such as Rob Ford, the SNC-Lavalin affair, and high-profile trials. Criticisms have come from political actors across the spectrum, including commentators aligned with Conservative Party of Canada and Liberal Party of Canada factions, as well as advocacy groups resembling Reporters Without Borders and local unions similar to Unifor. Debates have arisen over paywall policies and newsroom diversity, topics also contested at institutions such as Columbia University and Ryerson University.

Category:Newspapers published in Toronto