The Telegram
Encyclopedia
The Telegram is a daily newspaper
published in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
.
. It adopted its current name in 1998, although it was also briefly published under this name in 1881. Herder and his descendants owned and published The Evening Telegram the newspaper until it was sold to Thomson Newspapers (now Thomson Corporation
) in 1970, and continued as publishers until the departure of Stephen J. Herder (William J.'s Grandson) in 1991. Order of Canada
recipient Miller Ayre has held the position of publisher since 1994. Since 2004, The Telegram has been a division of Montreal media giant Transcontinental Media, which also owns its sister paper, The Western Star
, in Corner Brook, NL, as well as many weeklies in small Newfoundland outports.
William Herder began as a printer for the St. John's weekly The Courier. When it folded in 1878, Herder purchased one of the presses and began his own newspaper [Porter]. The Telegram was notable as the first daily (excluding Sundays) in Newfoundland. It is also the only 19th century Newfoundland newspaper to survive into the 20th (and now 21st) century. Over the course of its history, the paper has published news, stories and editorials of interest to readers in the Dominion/Province of Newfoundland and St. John's in particular. Coverage of the St. John's Great Fire of 1892
was hampered as the Evening Telegram head office on Duckworth Street was completely destroyed in the fire. Despite heavy losses, Herder rebuilt, and was publishing from a temporary location on Water Street less than two months later.
, who worked for the paper from 1919 to 1922 (including a short stint as editor in 1923). After his association with The Evening Telegram, Smallwood went on to found the pro-Confederation newspaper The Confederate, lead Newfoundland into confederation with Canada, and become the first premier of the new Province of Newfoundland
. As Premier, Smallwood had a rocky relationship with The Telegram, bringing a series of libel suits against it and threatening to withdraw all government advertising.
The paper has not explicitly endorsed candidates during recent general elections. It does not shy away from political criticism, however, and in recent years has been quite critical at various times of both the federal Conservatives under Stephen Harper
, and to a lesser extent the provincial Conservatives under Danny Williams
. At the same time, it has not expressed any particular confidence in opposing parties such as the Liberals.
, Ray Guy
[Porter], and Albert Perlin. Other notable contributors to The Telegram include former editor and author Michael Harrington, artist Rae Perlin
, former Newfoundland Prime Minister William F. Lloyd
and former provincial NDP leader Peter Fenwick
. The Telegram is the original publication venue of the monthly church history column by Dr Hans Rollmann.
The Telegram has sponsored the Tely 10
10 mile road race annually since 1927, and the provincial men's senior hockey trophy, the Herder Cup, is named for William Herder. [Porter]
The Telegram is Newfoundland and Labrador's largest newspaper, and published seven days a week from 1989 to 2008, when it reverted to a single weekend paper published on Saturday as The Weekend Telegram. Its by-line is "The People's Paper", accompanied by the provincial flag. The title is printed in a distinctive Gothic font.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
published in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
.
History
The Evening Telegram was first published on April 3, 1879 by William James HerderWilliam James Herder
William James Herder , publisher, born Old Perlican, Newfoundland, Canada, was the founder of Newfoundland's first daily newspaper, The Evening Telegram....
. It adopted its current name in 1998, although it was also briefly published under this name in 1881. Herder and his descendants owned and published The Evening Telegram the newspaper until it was sold to Thomson Newspapers (now Thomson Corporation
Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation was one of the world's largest information companies.Thomson was active in financial services, healthcare sectors, law, science & technology research, and tax & accounting sectors...
) in 1970, and continued as publishers until the departure of Stephen J. Herder (William J.'s Grandson) in 1991. Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
recipient Miller Ayre has held the position of publisher since 1994. Since 2004, The Telegram has been a division of Montreal media giant Transcontinental Media, which also owns its sister paper, The Western Star
The Western Star (Corner Brook)
The Western Star is a daily newspaper serving Western Newfoundland and Labrador, primarily Corner Brook, Stephenville, and the Humber Valley.The paper was founded in 1900 in Curling. It became a daily in 1954...
, in Corner Brook, NL, as well as many weeklies in small Newfoundland outports.
William Herder began as a printer for the St. John's weekly The Courier. When it folded in 1878, Herder purchased one of the presses and began his own newspaper [Porter]. The Telegram was notable as the first daily (excluding Sundays) in Newfoundland. It is also the only 19th century Newfoundland newspaper to survive into the 20th (and now 21st) century. Over the course of its history, the paper has published news, stories and editorials of interest to readers in the Dominion/Province of Newfoundland and St. John's in particular. Coverage of the St. John's Great Fire of 1892
Great Fire of 1892
The Great Fire in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on July 8, 1892, is remembered as the worst disaster ever to befall that city. Previous "Great Fire"s had occurred in St...
was hampered as the Evening Telegram head office on Duckworth Street was completely destroyed in the fire. Despite heavy losses, Herder rebuilt, and was publishing from a temporary location on Water Street less than two months later.
Politics
In the 19th century, The Evening Telegram was known for its strong opinions on issues of the day, including the Newfoundland Railway, and early Confederation discussions. However, its editorial policy remained neutral during the heated Confederation debates of 1948/49. The same could not be said of former Evening Telegram reporter Joey SmallwoodJoey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
, who worked for the paper from 1919 to 1922 (including a short stint as editor in 1923). After his association with The Evening Telegram, Smallwood went on to found the pro-Confederation newspaper The Confederate, lead Newfoundland into confederation with Canada, and become the first premier of the new Province of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. As Premier, Smallwood had a rocky relationship with The Telegram, bringing a series of libel suits against it and threatening to withdraw all government advertising.
The paper has not explicitly endorsed candidates during recent general elections. It does not shy away from political criticism, however, and in recent years has been quite critical at various times of both the federal Conservatives under Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, and to a lesser extent the provincial Conservatives under Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
. At the same time, it has not expressed any particular confidence in opposing parties such as the Liberals.
Community ties and current status
Well-known former Telegram journalists include Newfoundland writers Harold HorwoodHarold Horwood
Harold Andrew Horwood, CM was a Newfoundland and Labrador novelist and non-fiction writer and onetime politician. He was a Member of the Order of Canada.-Early life:...
, Ray Guy
Ray Guy (humorist)
Ray Guy is a Newfoundland journalist and humourist, best known for his satirical newspaper and magazine columns.Ray Guy was born in Come By Chance, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, on 22 April 1939, to George Hynes and Alice Louise Guy, but was raised and schooled in Arnold's Cove , the community that...
[Porter], and Albert Perlin. Other notable contributors to The Telegram include former editor and author Michael Harrington, artist Rae Perlin
Rae Perlin
Rae Perlin nurse, artist born St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, best known for her exquisite sketches and her prolific work as an impressionists painter....
, former Newfoundland Prime Minister William F. Lloyd
William F. Lloyd
Sir William Frederick Lloyd was a newspaper editor and Prime Minister of Newfoundland from 1918 to 1919....
and former provincial NDP leader Peter Fenwick
Peter Fenwick
Peter Fenwick is a Canadian politician. He is a former leader of the New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.Fenwick was born in St. Thomas, Ontario to Digby and Benoit Fenwick of Montreal and Stanbridge East. He and his wife Jennifer moved to Cape St George, Newfoundland in 1968 and had...
. The Telegram is the original publication venue of the monthly church history column by Dr Hans Rollmann.
The Telegram has sponsored the Tely 10
Tely 10
The Tely 10 Mile Road Race is a 10 mile road race held in the communities of Paradise, Mount Pearl and St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada annually that draws in excess of 2500 runners both male and female. The race began in 1922 making it one of the oldest road races in all of Canada...
10 mile road race annually since 1927, and the provincial men's senior hockey trophy, the Herder Cup, is named for William Herder. [Porter]
The Telegram is Newfoundland and Labrador's largest newspaper, and published seven days a week from 1989 to 2008, when it reverted to a single weekend paper published on Saturday as The Weekend Telegram. Its by-line is "The People's Paper", accompanied by the provincial flag. The title is printed in a distinctive Gothic font.