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The Economist

British weekly news and international affairs publication (founded 1843) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The Economist is a British weekly newspaper printed in demitab format and published digitally. It focuses on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture. Based in London, the newspaper is owned by the Economist Group, with its core editorial offices in the United States, as well as across major cities in continental Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In 2019, its average global print circulation was over 909,476; this, combined with its digital presence, runs to over 1.6 million. Across its social media platforms, it reaches an audience of 35 million, as of 2016. The newspaper has a prominent focus on data journalism and interpretive analysis over original reporting, to both criticism and acclaim.

Quick facts: Type, Format, Owner(s), Founder(s), Editor...
The Economist
The_Economist_Logo.svg
The_Economist_Cover_%28Aug_1%2C_2020%29.jpg
Cover of the 1 August 2020 issue
TypeWeekly newspaper[1][2] (Friday)
Format
Owner(s)The Economist Group
Founder(s)James Wilson
EditorZanny Minton Beddoes
Deputy editorTom Standage
FoundedSeptember 1843; 180 years ago (1843-09)
Political alignmentRadical centrism[3][4]
Economic liberalism[5][6]
Social liberalism[5][6]
Headquarters1-11 John Adam Street
Westminster, London, England
Circulation909,476 (print)
748,459 (digital)
1.6 million (combined) (as of July–December 2019[7])
ISSN0013-0613
Websiteeconomist.com
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Founded in 1843, The Economist was first circulated by Scottish economist James Wilson to muster support for abolishing the British Corn Laws (1815–1846), a system of import tariffs. Over time, the newspaper's coverage expanded further into political economy and eventually began running articles on current events, finance, commerce, and British politics. Throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, it greatly expanded its layout and format, adding opinion columns, special reports, political cartoons, reader letters, cover stories, art critique, book reviews, and technology features. The paper is recognisable by its fire engine red masthead (US: nameplate) and illustrated, topical covers. Individual articles are written anonymously, with no byline, in order for the paper to speak as one collective voice. It is supplemented by its sister lifestyle magazine, 1843, and a variety of podcasts, films, and books.

The editorial stance of The Economist primarily revolves around classical, social, and most notably economic liberalism. It has supported radical centrism as the concept became established in the late 20th century, favouring policies and governments that maintain centrist politics. The newspaper typically champions economic liberalism, particularly free markets, free trade, free immigration, deregulation, and globalisation. Despite a pronounced editorial stance, it is seen as having little reporting bias, and as exercising rigorous fact-checking and strict copyediting.[8][9] Its extensive use of word play, high subscription prices, and depth of coverage has linked the paper with a high-income and educated readership, drawing both positive and negative connotations.[10][11] In line with this, it claims to have an influential readership of prominent business leaders and policy-makers.

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