The New York Sun is an American conservative news website and former newspaper based in Manhattan, New York. From 2009 to 2021, it operated as an online-only publisher of political and economic opinion pieces, as well as occasional arts content. Coming under new management in November 2021, it began full-time online publication in 2022.
From 2002 to 2008, The Sun was a printed daily newspaper distributed in New York City. It debuted on April 16, 2002, claiming descent from, and adopting the name, motto, and nameplate of, the earlier New York paper The Sun (1833–1950). It became the first general-interest broadsheet newspaper to be started in New York City in several decades. On November 2, 2021, The New York Sun was acquired by Dovid Efune, former CEO and editor-in-chief of the Algemeiner Journal. Efune confirmed Seth Lipsky in the position of editor-in-chief. Published from the Cary Building in Lower Manhattan, it ceased print publication on September 30, 2008. The paper's motto, which it shared with its predecessor and namesake, was "It Shines For All". When asked why, Lipsky said "we needed additional funds. ... [T]he 2008 financial collapse was sweeping the world, and the Internet was emerging as a challenge to traditional newspapering."
2009–2021
Its website resumed activity on April 28, 2009. Despite the closure of the newspaper, The New York Sun website renewed activity on April 28, 2009, prompting some observers to consider the possible implications. Michael Calderone of Politico quoted Lipsky as saying not to read too much into the initial items since "a business plan for the site is still in formation" and "these are just some very, very early bulbs of spring (or late winter)." op-ed commentaries, and frequent contributions from economist and noted television commentator Lawrence Kudlow. In addition, commentaries on the arts have been published.
Online relaunch, 2021
On November 2, 2021, The New York Sun was acquired by Dovid Efune, former CEO and editor-in-chief of the Algemeiner Journal. Efune confirmed Seth Lipsky in the position of editor-in-chief.
Editorial perspective and reception, 2001–2008
In 2002, editor-in-chief Lipsky said that the paper's prominent op-ed page would champion "limited government, individual liberty, constitutional fundamentals, equality under the law, economic growth ... standards in literature and culture, education". Another goal, said Lipsky in 2009, was "to seize the local beat from which The New York Times was retreating as it sought to become a national newspaper". In 2004, Stoll characterized The Sun<nowiki>'</nowiki>s political orientation as "right-of-center", nominating Dick Cheney for the presidency (2007), and calling for lowering rather than raising the debt ceiling in response to the debt ceiling crisis (2013).
The Suns columnists included prominent conservative and neoconservative pundits, including William F. Buckley Jr., Michael Barone, Daniel Pipes, and Mark Steyn. The Sun supported President George W. Bush and his decision to launch the Iraq War in 2003. The paper also urged strong action against the perceived threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and advocacy for Israel's right of self-defense,
According to Scott Sherman, writing in The Nation in April 2007, The Sun was "a broadsheet that injects conservative ideology into the country's most influential philanthropic, intellectual and media hub; a paper whose day-to-day coverage of New York City emphasizes lower taxes, school vouchers and free-market solutions to urban problems; a paper whose elegant culture pages hold their own against the Times in quality and sophistication; a paper that breaks news and crusades on a single issue; a paper that functions as a journalistic SWAT team against individuals and institutions seen as hostile to Israel and Jews; and a paper that unapologetically displays the scalps of its victims."
In the same article, Mark Malloch Brown, Kofi Annan's chief of staff at the United Nations, described The Sun as "a pimple on the backside of American journalism." According to Sherman, Brown "accepts that the paper's obsession with the UN translates into influence ... he admitted The Sun "does punch way above its circulation number, on occasion". He goes on to say, "Clearly amongst its minuscule circulation were a significant number of diplomats. And so it did at times act as some kind of rebel house paper inside the UN. It fed the gossip mills and what was said in the cafeterias." Alex Jones of the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy said in 2008, "It was a newspaper especially savored by people who don't like The New York Times, and there are plenty of those in New York."
Features, 2001–2008
The Sun received critical praise for its sports section, writers for which included Steven Goldman, Thomas Hauser, Sean Lahman, Tim Marchman, and John Hollinger. Its crossword puzzle, edited by Peter Gordon, was called one of the two best in the United States. It also published the first regular wine column in a New York newspaper, "Along the Wine Trail", written by G. Selmer Fougner. In its first edition, the paper carried the solution to the last crossword puzzle of the earlier Sun published in 1950.
Financial problems, circulation, and end of print run, 2001–2008
The Sun was started anew in 2002 in the face of a long-term decline of newspapers in the United States, loss of advertising revenue to the Internet and the rise of new media. From the beginning, it struggled for existence. while another media commentator characterized it as "the unlikeliest of propositions". By 2005 the paper reported an estimated circulation of 45,000. In December 2005, The Sun withdrew from the Audit Bureau of Circulations to join the Certified Audit of Circulations, whose other New York clients are the free papers The Village Voice and AM New York Metro, and began an aggressive campaign of free distribution in select neighborhoods.
While The Sun claimed "150,000 of New York City's Most Influential Readers Every Day", The Suns own audit indicated that it was selling approximately 14,000 copies a day—while giving away between 66,000 and 85,000 a day. The New York Daily News sold about 700,000 copies a day during that period. It offered free subscriptions for a full year to residents in advertiser-desired zip codes; The Sun acquired the web address www.LatestPolitics.com in 2007.
In a letter to readers published on the front page of the September 4, 2008, edition, Lipsky announced that the paper had suffered substantial losses and would "cease publication at the end of September unless we succeed in our efforts to find additional financial backing." In particular, the paper's existing backers would not put forward more money unless new backers with capital were found. and also made use of many freelance writers. The Sun was listed as a three-time victim of plagiarism when The News-Sentinel announced March 1, 2008, that "20 of 38 guest columns ... contributed ... since 2000" by Bush White House staffer Timothy Goeglein were subsequently discovered to have been plagiarized; three were attributed to original articles in The Sun. Goeglein resigned.