# Detroit Free Press > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Detroit_Free_Press > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Detroit_Free_Press.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Free_Press > Source revision: 1343272708 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American newspaper}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Detroit Free Press | logo = frameless|class=skin-invert | image = Detroit Free Press Jun 24, 1963 front page.jpg | caption = Front page on June 24, 1963, after the [Detroit Walk to Freedom](/source/Detroit_Walk_to_Freedom) | type = [Daily newspaper](/source/Daily_newspaper) | format = [Broadsheet](/source/Broadsheet) | owners = [USA Today Co.](/source/USA_Today_Co.) | editor = Nicole Avery Nichols{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2023/05/03/nicole-avery-nichols-detroit-free-press-editor/70179445007/ |title=Nicole Avery Nichols named new editor of the Detroit Free Press |date=May 3, 2023 |website=Detroit Free Press}} | president = Timothy Gruber | founded = 1831 | ceased_publication = | headquarters = 19 Clifford Street
[Detroit, Michigan](/source/Detroit%2C_Michigan) 48226
United States | circulation = 26,201 Average print circulation{{cite news |last1=Christensen |first1=Dan |title=The long goodbye of Florida's newspapers – read all about it |url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2024/12/long-goodbye-floridas-newspapers-read-all-about-it/|access-date=30 November 2025 |publisher=Florida Bulldog |date=18 December 2024}}
4,175 Digital Subscribers {{cite news |last1=Christensen |first1=Dan |title=The long goodbye of Florida's newspapers – read all about it |url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2024/12/long-goodbye-floridas-newspapers-read-all-about-it/|access-date=30 November 2025 |publisher=Florida Bulldog |date=18 December 2024}} | ISSN = 1055-2758 | oclc = 137343179 | motto = ''On Guard for {{years ago|1831|5|05}} Years'' | website = {{URL|https://freep.com}} }} The '''''Detroit Free Press''''' (commonly referred to as the '''''Freep''''') is one of two major [daily newspapers](/source/Newspaper) in [Detroit, Michigan](/source/Detroit%2C_Michigan), United States. It is owned by [USA Today Co.](/source/USA_Today_Co.), which also owns the main historical rival ''[The Detroit News](/source/The_Detroit_News)''. Both newspapers [operated](/source/Detroit_Media_Partnership) under a [joint operating agreement](/source/joint_operating_agreement) from 1989 until 2025.{{Cite web |last=Ballentine |first=Summer |date=2025-12-28 |title=End of newspaper JOA heralds new era of competition in Detroit |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2025/12/28/end-of-newspaper-joint-operating-agreement-heralds-new-era-of-media-competition-in-detroit/87851045007/ |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} The Sunday edition is titled the '''''Sunday Free Press'''.'' The ''Free Press'' has received ten [Pulitzer Prize](/source/Pulitzer_Prize)s{{cite news |last=Reindl |first=JC |title=Free Press' Stephen Henderson wins 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20140414/OPINION05/304140118/stephen-henderson-pulitzer-prize-detroit-free-press-editorial-opinion-2014-commentary |access-date=April 16, 2014 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |date=April 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134237/http://www.freep.com/article/20140414/OPINION05/304140118/stephen-henderson-pulitzer-prize-detroit-free-press-editorial-opinion-2014-commentary |url-status=dead }} and four [Emmy Award](/source/Emmy_Award)s.{{cite press release |title=Detroit Free Press wins 4th Emmy Award for Christ Child House |url=http://michfed.org/free_press_wins_its_4th_emmy_christ_child_house_multimedia_project |publisher=Michigan Federation for Children and Families |access-date=August 28, 2018 |date=September 22, 2009 |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072309/http://michfed.org/free_press_wins_its_4th_emmy_christ_child_house_multimedia_project |url-status=dead }} Its motto is "On Guard for {{years ago|1831|5|05}} Years". ==History== === 1831–1989: Competitive newspaper === [[File:Detroit Free Press Building 2011 05 08.jpg|thumb|The [Detroit Free Press Building](/source/Detroit_Free_Press_Building) was the home of the ''Free Press'' offices from 1925 to 1998.]] The newspaper was launched by [John R. Williams](/source/John_R._Williams) and his uncle, [Joseph Campau](/source/Joseph_Campau), and was first published as the ''Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer'' on May 5, 1831.{{cite web| url=http://michigannewspaperhistory.pbworks.com/w/page/20854498/Oakland%20County| title=Oakland County| year=2009| website=Michigan Newspaper History}} It was renamed to ''Detroit Daily Free Press'' in 1835, becoming the region's first daily newspaper.{{cite web| url=https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/detroit-free-press| title=Detroit Free Press |website=[Detroit Historical Society](/source/Detroit_Historical_Museum)| access-date=2017-08-25}} Williams printed the first issues on a Washington press he purchased from the discontinued ''Oakland Chronicle'' of [Pontiac](/source/Pontiac%2C_Michigan). It was hauled from Pontiac in a wagon over rough roads to a building at Bates and Woodbridge streets in Detroit. The hand-operated press required two people and could produce 250 pages per hour. The first issues were {{convert|14|x|20|in|mm}} in size, with five columns of type. Sheldon McKnight became the first publisher, with his uncle John Pitts Sheldon as the editor. In the 1850s, the paper was developed into a leading [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States))-aligned publication under the ownership of [Wilbur F. Storey](/source/Wilbur_F._Storey). Storey left for the ''[Chicago Times](/source/Chicago_Times)'' in 1861, taking much of the staff with him.{{Cite DAB |title=Storey, Wilbur Fisk |year=1936 |author=Willard Grosvenor Bleyer}} In the 1870s ownership passed to [William E. Quinby](/source/William_E._Quinby), who continued its Democratic leanings and established a [London](/source/London), England edition. In 1904, a group of investors (including prominent journalist [Otto Carmichael](/source/Otto_Carmichael_House) of the ''[Detroit Journal](/source/Detroit_Journal)'') purchased the ''Free Press'' and sold it for a substantial sum of money five years later.{{cite web |title=Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) |url=https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/welcome.html |accessdate=2015-08-01 |publisher=Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology |format=Searchable database}} ''Note:'' This includes {{cite web |first1=Paul| last1=Diebold |author2=Laura Renwick Driestadt |author3=John Weinberger |name-list-style=amp |date=October 1996 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Otto Carmichael House |url=https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/2013b/N/Carmichael_Home_Delaware_CO_Nom.pdf |access-date=2015-08-01 }} and Accompanying photographs.{{rp|7}} In 1940, the Knight Newspapers (later [Knight Ridder](/source/Knight_Ridder)) purchased the ''Free Press''. During the next 20 years, the ''Free Press'' competed in the southeastern Michigan market with ''[The Detroit News](/source/The_Detroit_News)'' and the ''[Detroit Times](/source/Detroit_Times)'', until the ''Times'' was purchased and closed by ''The News'' on November 7, 1960. The ''Free Press'' was delivered and sold as a night paper, with home deliveries made after 7:00{{nbsp}}pm until around 1966. A morning "Blue Streak Edition" was available at news stands beginning around 1965, meaning the ''Free Press'' actually printed two editions per day. During that period ''The Detroit News'' was sold and delivered as an afternoon newspaper. === 1989–2014: Joint operating agreement === {{Further|Detroit Media Partnership#History}}[[File:News Free Press Building.JPG|thumb|The [Detroit News Complex](/source/Detroit_News_Complex) was the home of the Detroit ''Free Press'' offices from 1998 to 2014.]] [[File:Detroit Free Press Mitch Albom 9-11 10th anniversary front page Sept 11, 2011.jpg|thumb|The September 11, 2011 front page of the ''Detroit Free Press,'' with [Eric Millikin](/source/Eric_Millikin) art and [Mitch Albom](/source/Mitch_Albom) column about the 10th anniversary of the [September 11 attacks](/source/September_11_attacks)]]In 1989, the paper entered into a one hundred-year [joint operating agreement](/source/joint_operating_agreement) with its rival, combining business operations while maintaining separate editorial staffs. The combined company is called the [Detroit Media Partnership](/source/Detroit_Media_Partnership). The two papers also began to publish joint Saturday and Sunday editions, though the editorial content of each remained separate. At the time, the ''Detroit Free Press'' was the tenth-highest circulation paper in the United States, and the combined ''Detroit News and Free Press'' was the country's fourth-largest Sunday paper. On July 13, 1995, [Newspaper Guild](/source/Newspaper_Guild)-represented employees of the ''Free Press'' and ''News'' and the pressmen, printers and Teamsters working for the "Detroit Newspapers" distribution arm [went on strike](/source/Detroit_newspaper_strike_of_1995%E2%80%9397). By October, about 40% of the editorial staffers had crossed the picket line, and many trickled back over the next months while others stayed out for the two and a half years of the strike. The strike was resolved in court three years later, and the unions remain active at the paper, representing a majority of the employees under their jurisdiction. In 1998, the ''Free Press'' vacated its [former headquarters](/source/Detroit_Free_Press_Building) in downtown Detroit and moved to offices into ''The Detroit News''{{'}} building and began to operate from its new offices in that building on June 26 of that year.{{cite news| last=Grimm| first=Joe| url=http://www.freep.com/jobspage/club/600.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990819234350/http://www.freep.com/jobspage/club/600.htm| archive-date=August 19, 1999| title=600 W. Fort: Built for newspapering| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| access-date=2019-06-10}} On August 3, 2005, Knight Ridder sold the ''Free Press'' to the [Gannett](/source/Gannett) Company, which had previously owned and operated ''The Detroit News''. Gannett, in turn, sold ''The News'' to [MediaNews Group](/source/MediaNews_Group); Gannett continues to be the managing partner in the papers' joint operating agreement.{{cite news| last=Seelye| first=Katharine Q.| date=2005-08-04| title=2 Huge Publishing Chains Swap Newspapers| language=en-US| newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/04/business/media/2-huge-publishing-chains-swap-newspapers.html| access-date=2021-09-07| issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news| title=Detroit papers change hands in 3-company deal| url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2005/08/04/detroit-papers-change-hands-in-3-company-deal/| access-date=2022-10-11| date=August 4, 2005| newspaper=[Tampa Bay Times](/source/Tampa_Bay_Times)| agency=Associated Press| language=en}} The ''Free Press'' resumed publication of its own Sunday edition, May 7, 2006, without any content from ''The News'', other than that ''The News'' would print its editorial page in the Sunday ''Free Press''.{{cite web| title=Detroit News, The| website=Detroit Historical Society| url=https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/detroit-news| access-date=2021-09-07}} On December 16, 2008, Detroit Media Partnership (DMP) announced a plan to limit weekday home delivery for both dailies to Thursday and Friday only. On other weekdays the paper sold at newsstands would be smaller, about 32 pages, and redesigned. This arrangement went into effect March 30, 2009.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/business/media/31paper.html?_r=1 |first1=Richard |last1=Pérez-Peña |author2=Mary Chapman |title=Detroit's Daily Papers Are Now Not So Daily |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 31, 2009 |access-date=March 4, 2011}} The ''Free Press'' entered a news partnership with [CBS](/source/CBS) [owned-and-operated station](/source/owned-and-operated_station) [WWJ-TV](/source/WWJ-TV) channel 62 in March 2009 to produce a morning news show called ''First Forecast Mornings''. Prior to the partnership, WWJ aired absolutely no local newscast at all.{{cite news |last=Marcucci |first=Carl |title=Free Press will join WWJ-TV for reports |url=https://rbr.com/free-press-will-join-wwj-tv-for-reports/ |access-date=June 22, 2012 |newspaper=[Radio & Television Business Report](/source/Cox_Media_Group) |date=March 29, 2009}} In February 2014, the DMP announced its offices along with those of the ''Free Press'' and ''The Detroit News'' would occupy six floors in both the old and new sections of the former [Federal Reserve building](/source/Federal_Reserve_Bank_of_Chicago_Detroit_Branch_Building) at 160 West Fort Street. The partnership expected to place signs on the exterior similar to those on the former offices.{{cite news| title=Free Press, News moving to new home in core of downtown Detroit| url=http://www.freep.com/article/20140219/BUSINESS06/302190176/detroit-free-press-building-moves-federal-reserve| last1=Zaniewski| first1=Ann| last2=Gallagher| first2=John| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=February 20, 2014| access-date=May 16, 2014}}{{cite news| title=Detroit News, Free Press, DMP will occupy 6 floors in old Federal Reserve building| url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140423/BIZ03/304230078| last=Aguilar| first=Louis| newspaper=The Detroit News| date=April 23, 2014| access-date=May 16, 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425194807/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140423/BIZ03/304230078| archive-date=April 25, 2014| df=mdy-all}} The move took place beginning in October 2014.{{cite news| title=News moving out, leaving century of memories behind| url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/neal-rubin/2014/10/23/rubin-detroit-news-memories/17817013/| last=Rubin| first=Neil| date=October 24, 2014| newspaper=The Detroit News| access-date=October 27, 2014}} === 2015–present: Ownership changes === [[File:FederalReserveBankDetroit.jpg|thumb|right|The [Federal Reserve Building](/source/Federal_Reserve_Bank_of_Chicago_Detroit_Branch_Building) was the home of the ''Detroit Free Press'' and ''Detroit News'' offices from 2014 to 2024.]]In June 2015, Gannett split itself into two companies. The company's television broadcasters and digital publishers became part of a new company known as [Tegna Inc.](/source/Tegna_Inc.) while its traditional print publishers became part of a new Gannett.{{cite news| title=Gannett, owner of Detroit Free Press, splits into two| first=JC| last=Reindl| url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2015/06/29/new-gannett-tegna-first-day/29462459/| date=June 29, 2015| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| access-date=July 17, 2020}} In 2018, the ''Detroit Free Press'' received two Salute to Excellence awards from the [National Association of Black Journalists](/source/National_Association_of_Black_Journalists).{{cite web |title=2018 Salute to Excellence Winners |url=https://www.nabj.org/page/2018STEWinners |access-date=2018-08-31 |website=National Association of Black Journalists}} In November 2019, the newspaper announced it would cut four staff positions ahead of the [GateHouse Media](/source/GateHouse_Media) conglomerate completing its purchase of Gannett. The Gannett board finalized the purchase agreement on November 19, 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/23696/layoffs_planned_at_detroit_free_press_ahead_of_sale_to_hedge_fund-backed_group |title=Layoffs Planned At Detroit Free Press Ahead Of Sale To Hedge Fund-Backed Group |date=November 13, 2019 |first1=Violet |last1=Ikonomova |journal=Deadline Detroit |access-date=November 13, 2019}}{{cite news| title=CEOs of new Gannett: 'Pivot' needed for digital transformation as merger is completed| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/11/19/gannett-new-media-investment-group-merger-gatehouse-media/4203820002/| first=Nathan| last=Bomey| newspaper=[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)| date=November 19, 2019| access-date=July 17, 2020}} In December 2024, the newspaper moved from West Fort Street after receiving notice from the building owner, [Dan Gilbert](/source/Dan_Gilbert)'s [Bedrock Management Services](/source/Rock_Ventures), that it was planning to redevelop the structure.{{cite news| title=Detroit Free Press looking for new home, to vacate newsroom in former Federal Reserve| url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2024/10/01/detroit-free-press-leave-newsroom-federal-reserve-building/75466267007/| date=October 1, 2024| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| access-date=June 16, 2025}} ''Free Press'' offices moved to a facility on [Clifford Street](/source/Clifford_Street) in the [Grand Circus Park Historic District](/source/Grand_Circus_Park_Historic_District).{{cite news| title=Detroit's 2 daily newspapers move into separate buildings| url=https://prod.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/detroit-free-press-detroit-news-get-new-offices| first=Kirk| last=Pinho| date=December 13, 2024| newspaper=Crain's Detroit Business| access-date=June 16, 2025| url-access=subscription}} ''The Detroit News'' moved its offices to a historic building at 6001 Cass Avenue.{{cite news| title=The Detroit News is moving newsroom into Albert Kahn-designed building near New Center| url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2024/12/12/the-detroit-news-move-newsroom-6001-cass/76943981007/| first=Breana| last=Noble| newspaper=The Detroit News| date=December 12, 2024| access-date=June 16, 2025}} In January 2025, Gannett announced it would close the paper's printing facility in [Sterling Heights, Michigan](/source/Sterling_Heights%2C_Michigan) with 115 jobs lost. The printing of 32 newspapers would be transferred to other plants.{{cite news |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Detroit Free Press' printing facility in Sterling Heights to shutter in August |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2025/01/21/detroit-free-press-sterling-heights-operations-facility-closing/77859894007/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} About six months later, Gannett announced it would not renew the joint operating agreement with ''The Detroit News'' which was set to expire at the end of the year.{{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Neal |title=Detroit Free Press, Detroit News to end joint operating agreement at end of 2025 |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/06/16/detroit-free-press-news-joint-operating-agreement/84226824007/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |date=June 16, 2025 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} The joint operating agreement ended on December 28, 2025. ==Other ''Free Press'' publications== * ''[Screen & Radio Weekly](/source/Screen_%26_Radio_Weekly)'' (1934–1940) * {{cite book| title=The Detroit Almanac: 300 Years of Life in the Motor City| year=2001| editor2-first=Peter| editor2-last=Gavrilovich| editor1-first=Bill| editor1-last=McGraw| url=https://archive.org/details/detroitalmanac300000unse| publisher=Detroit Free Press| isbn=978-0-9372-4748-8}} {{clear}} ==Notable people== {{Div col|colwidth=20em}} * [Mitch Albom](/source/Mitch_Albom) * [Edward A. Batchelor](/source/Edward_A._Batchelor) * [Jack Berry](/source/Jack_Berry_(journalist)){{cite web| url=https://thegolfwire.com/113375-2/| title=Veteran Detroit-Area Sportswriter Jack Berry Named Recipient of PGA Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award| date=February 15, 2007| website=The Golf Wire| access-date=January 1, 2022}} * [Eva Best](/source/Eva_Best) * [Donna Britt](/source/Donna_Britt_(writer)) * [Frank Bruni](/source/Frank_Bruni) * [Mike Downey](/source/Mike_Downey_(columnist)) * [Joe Falls](/source/Joe_Falls) * [John Gallagher](/source/John_Gallagher_(journalist)) * [David Gilkey](/source/David_Gilkey) * [Robin Givhan](/source/Robin_Givhan) * [Susan Goldberg](/source/Susan_Goldberg) * [Ellen Goodman](/source/Ellen_Goodman) * [Gary Graff](/source/Gary_Graff) * [Sam Greene](/source/Sam_Greene_(sportswriter)) * [Edgar Guest](/source/Edgar_Guest) * [Dick Guindon](/source/Dick_Guindon) * [Ken Hamblin](/source/Ken_Hamblin) * [Stephen Henderson](/source/Stephen_Henderson_(journalist)) * [Jemele Hill](/source/Jemele_Hill) * [Lee Hills](/source/Lee_Hills_(journalist)) * [Royce Howes](/source/Royce_Howes) * [Clark Hoyt](/source/Clark_Hoyt) * [Joe S. Jackson](/source/Joe_S._Jackson) * [David Cay Johnston](/source/David_Cay_Johnston) * [Dorothy Misener Jurney](/source/Dorothy_Misener_Jurney) * [Michelle Kaufman](/source/Michelle_Kaufman) * [David Lawrence Jr.](/source/David_Lawrence_Jr.) * [John C. Lodge](/source/John_C._Lodge) * [Kurt Luedtke](/source/Kurt_Luedtke) * [Myra MacPherson](/source/Myra_MacPherson) * [Dori J. Maynard](/source/Dori_J._Maynard) * [Eric Millikin](/source/Eric_Millikin) * [Elvis Mitchell](/source/Elvis_Mitchell) * [Al Neuharth](/source/Al_Neuharth) * [Jack Ohman](/source/Jack_Ohman) * [Rob Parker](/source/Rob_Parker_(sports_journalist)) * [William E. Quinby](/source/William_E._Quinby) * [Rochelle Riley](/source/Rochelle_Riley) * [James Risen](/source/James_Risen) * [Gene Roberts](/source/Gene_Roberts_(journalist)) * [Neal Rubin](/source/Neal_Rubin) * [Lyall Smith](/source/Lyall_Smith) * [Jennie O. Starkey](/source/Jennie_O._Starkey) * [Wilbur F. Storey](/source/Wilbur_F._Storey) * [Joe Stroud](/source/Joe_Stroud) * [Neely Tucker](/source/Neely_Tucker) * [David Turnley](/source/David_Turnley) * [Rob Wagner](/source/Rob_Wagner_(publisher)) * [Lewis Walter](/source/Lewis_Walter) * [Taro Yamasaki](/source/Taro_Yamasaki) {{Div col end}} ==See also== {{Portal|Michigan|Journalism}} *[Media in Detroit](/source/Media_in_Detroit) {{Clear}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Detroit Free Press}} * [https://www.freep.com Official website] * [https://www.detroit1701.org/Detroit%20Free%20Press%20Building.html The Detroit Free Press Building] * [https://detroitnewspapers.com Detroit Newspaper Partnership] {{Gannett}} {{PulitzerPrize PublicService 1926–1950}} {{Authority control}} Category:Detroit Free Press Category:Newspapers published in Detroit Category:USA Today Co. publications Category:Pulitzer Prize–winning newspapers Category:Newspapers established in 1831 Category:Pulitzer Prize for Public Service winners --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Detroit Free Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Free_Press) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Free_Press?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.