The New York Sun is an American online newspaper published in Manhattan. From 2009 to 2021 it operated as an (occasional and erratic) online-only publisher of political and economic opinion pieces, as well as occasional arts content. Dovid Efune acquired the paper in November 2021, and 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 masthead 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. Its op-ed page became a prominent platform in the country for conservative viewpoints.
History
2001–2008
The relaunched Sun was founded by a group of investors including publishing magnate Conrad Black. The goal was to provide an alternative to The New York Times, featuring front-page news about local and state events, in contrast to the emphasis on national and international news by the Times. The Sun began business operations, prior to first publication, in October 2001.
The newspaper's president and editor-in-chief was Seth Lipsky, former editor of The Jewish Daily Forward. Managing editor Ira Stoll also served as company vice-president. Stoll had been a longtime critic of The New York Times in his media watchdog blog smartertimes.com. When smartertimes.com became defunct, its Web traffic was redirected to The Sun web site.
Published from the Cary Building in Lower Manhattan, it ceased print publication on September 30, 2008. 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."
The paper's motto, which it shared with its predecessor and namesake, was "It Shines For All".
2009–2021
Its web site 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)." It only contained a small subset of the original content of the paper, mostly editorials at irregular intervals, 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. Following Efune's acquisition, The New York Sun resumed full-time online reporting in 2022, focusing on a digital-first strategy.
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's political orientation as "right-of-center", and an associate of Conrad Black predicted in 2002 that the paper would be neoconservative in its outlook. Unsigned editorials in the paper advocated prosecuting Iraq War protestors for treason (2003), nominating Dick Cheney for the presidency (2007), and lowering, rather than raising, the debt ceiling in response to the debt ceiling crisis (2013).
The Sun'''s 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 also was known for its forceful coverage of Jewish-related issues, and advocacy for Israel's right of self-defense, as evidenced in articles by pro-Israel reporter Aaron Klein.
Catholic commentator Richard John Neuhaus, writing in 2006 in First Things, described the Sun as a paper that had "made itself nearly indispensable for New Yorkers".