The Daily Mail stands as a prominent British daily middle-market newspaper and accompanying news website, headquartered in London. Published in a tabloid format, a physical size that has become common across many UK newspapers, it launched in 1896 and has since grown to become the United Kingdom's highest-circulated daily newspaper by print volume.

The publication is part of a broader media family, including its Sunday counterpart, The Mail on Sunday, which commenced publication in 1982. Further expanding its reach, dedicated Scottish and Irish editions of the daily paper were introduced in 1947 and 2006, respectively, catering to regional audiences with tailored content.

Digital Presence: MailOnline

Content from the print newspaper is extensively featured on MailOnline, its digital platform. However, MailOnline operates as a largely distinct entity, managed separately and overseen by its own editorial team. This digital arm has achieved immense global reach, consistently ranking among the world's most visited English-language news websites, drawing hundreds of millions of unique visitors monthly.

Ownership and Editorial Leadership

The Daily Mail is owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), a major British media company. The lineage of its founders is maintained through Jonathan Harmsworth, the 4th Viscount Rothermere, who serves as the current chairman and controlling shareholder of DMGT. He is a direct great-grandson of one of the original co-founders, Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere, highlighting a long-standing family connection to the paper's helm. Day-to-day editorial decisions for the newspaper are guided by a dedicated team, led by the editor. Ted Verity assumed this pivotal role on November 17, 2021, succeeding Geordie Greig.

Key Readership Demographics and Circulation

Insights into The Daily Mail's readership reveal distinct characteristics. A 2014 survey indicated an average reader age of 58, marking it with the lowest demographic representation for 15- to 44-year-olds among major British dailies. Uniquely among UK daily newspapers, it boasts a majority female readership, with women constituting between 52% and 55% of its audience. As of February 2020, its average daily print circulation stood at 1,134,184 copies. Between April 2019 and March 2020, the newspaper maintained an average daily readership of approximately 2.180 million individuals, with around 1.407 million falling into the ABC1 demographic (representing upper-middle, middle, and lower-middle classes) and 0.773 million in the C2DE demographic (comprising skilled working class, unskilled working class, and those dependent on state benefits or pensions). Beyond its print figures, MailOnline's digital prowess is significant, attracting over 218 million unique visitors each month, showcasing its extensive online reach that far surpasses its print readership.

Awards and Notable Criticisms

The Daily Mail has received significant recognition within the media industry, earning the prestigious National Newspaper of the Year award from The Press Awards eight times since 1995, including a win in 2019. Further solidifying its journalistic achievements, The Society of Editors named it the 'Daily Newspaper of the Year' for 2020.

However, The Daily Mail has also faced considerable scrutiny and criticism regarding its editorial practices. It has been notably cited for issues concerning unreliability, particularly for the publication of sensationalist and factually inaccurate "scare stories" related to scientific and medical research. Furthermore, instances of plagiarism and copyright infringement have been documented. This consistent pattern of concern led to a significant development in February 2017 when The Daily Mail became the first news source to be officially "deprecated" as an "unreliable source" for use as a reference on the English Wikipedia. This designation means that while not entirely banned, its content should be treated with extreme caution and generally not be used as a primary source for factual claims, especially those that are contentious, without corroboration from more reputable and verifiable sources.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Daily Mail

What is The Daily Mail?

The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market newspaper and news website, published in London in a tabloid format since its founding in 1896. It is known for its high circulation in the UK and its significant digital presence through MailOnline.

Who owns The Daily Mail?

The Daily Mail is owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT). Jonathan Harmsworth, the 4th Viscount Rothermere, a direct descendant of one of the original co-founders, is the current chairman and controlling shareholder.

Is MailOnline the same as The Daily Mail newspaper?

While MailOnline features content from the newspaper, it is managed separately with its own editor. It operates as a distinct digital entity with a massive global reach, often drawing a different and larger audience than the print edition.

What is unique about The Daily Mail's readership?

The Daily Mail is unique among British daily newspapers for having a majority female readership, with women accounting for 52-55% of its audience. Its readership also tends to be older, with an average age of 58 in a 2014 survey.

Has The Daily Mail won any awards?

Yes, The Daily Mail has won numerous awards, including the National Newspaper of the Year award from The Press Awards eight times since 1995, and was selected as the 'Daily Newspaper of the Year' for 2020 by The Society of Editors.

Why is The Daily Mail considered an "unreliable source" by Wikipedia?

In February 2017, The Daily Mail was deprecated by the English Wikipedia as an "unreliable source" due to concerns about its history of inaccuracy, sensationalism, and instances of plagiarism. This means Wikipedia editors are advised to avoid using it as a primary reference for factual assertions unless corroborated by more reliable sources.