With a high volume of news sources coming from all angles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices, especially when regulated media coexists with clickbait headlines and fabricated stories.
As news continues to shape everyday national discourse, staying in the loop is vital to our existence. So, what better way to achieve that than to look at sources with track records for delivering facts – our print outlets?
Beyond their rigorous fact-checking and investigative capabilities, these print giants were born from a relentless pursuit of delivering unbiased truth, without any fear or favor. This has earned them the trust of generations and cementing their place as go-to sources of reliable information!
Here at NGP-IMC, we value our relationships with the media. In this article, we explore the top 9 broadsheets in the Philippines; their rich histories, and their contributions to the country’s journalistic integrity that has helped propel good, reliable PR forward.
- Philippine Daily Inquirer
Founded in 1985 by Eugenia Apóstol, Betty Go-Belmonte, and Maximo Soliven, the Philippine Daily Inquirer swiftly established itself by cutting through the propaganda and defying the censorship imposed under the Marcos regime. This stance, coupled with their delivery of raw, genuine news had them playing a critical role leading up to the EDSA People Power Revolution. From there, it earned the trust of millions, which propelled it to become the country’s No. 1 newspaper following the dictatorship’s collapse.
To this day, the Inquirer remains one of the most prominent and influential voices in the Philippine media scene by staying true to its roots and delivering comprehensive, quality reporting. In addition, they cover subjects that range from Entertainment to Lifestyle, enabling them to resonate with a wide demographic composed of professionals, policymakers, and everyday folks alike.
And this integrity and excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. It has been responsible for numerous awards over the years, both from the Philippine Press Institute and International organizations. Recently, it solidified its reputation by ranking second in Tangere’s 2024 Media Trust survey!
- The Philippine STAR
Created on July 28, 1986, in the wake of the historic EDSA People Power Revolution, the Philippine Star was the brainchild of veteran journalists Betty Go-Belmonte, Maximo Soliven, and Art Borjal. They were stalwarts of the “Mosquito Press,” a collective name for the underground publications that dared to tell the truth during the Marcos era.
Since then, The Philippine STAR has grown to become the flagship title of Philstar Media Group (the largest print media in the country), covering a gamut of subjects, from hard-hitting politics to lifestyle – living by unbiased, in-depth, engaging reports, living true to its motto, “Truth Shall Prevail”.
Over the years, it racked up impressive firsts such as pioneering colored printing and section-specific content (without hinging on the front or main section) in the Philippines. Then, in 2002, it made the digital leap with Philstar.com, which has since become the biggest news site in the country!
- Manila Bulletin
The Manila Bulletin began in 1900, principally going by the name, “Manila Daily Bulletin”; a modest, four-page English journal, serving the maritime crowd. But in 1989, it rebranded to its current moniker and eventually became the second-oldest newspaper in the Philippines.
At present, It is a one-stop shop for balanced news, covering foreign and local affairs, business, sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. These efforts were validated by Tangere’s 2024 Media Trust survey, which deemed it the “Most Trusted Broadsheet” after scoring a whopping 42% out of 9 broadsheets! And it’s not just the print – its online presence and work are strong too – even going on to snag the “Most Outstanding Digital Broadsheet” award at the 5th Gawad La Sallieneta!
- Manila Times
The Manila Times, founded in 1898 by Englishman Thomas Gowan, holds the illustrious titles of both the oldest newspaper in the Philippines and the first English-language daily in all of Asia! Initially, it had two daily editions – noon and afternoon – with an all-American staff. Sometime later, Filipino journalists joined the ranks, including a young Benigno Aquino Jr., who would then become a senator and the youngest war correspondent for the Manila Times!
Today, The Manila Times still champions fearless investigative journalism, even in today’s digital world, so they cover everything from complicated local issues to international events. The results speak for themselves: scoring them awards like the “Most Outstanding Newspaper of the Year” at the 8th NSM Media Awards!
- BusinessWorld
The late esteemed journalist Raul L. Locsin founded Southeast Asia’s first business daily newspaper, BusinessWorld (formerly Business Day), in 1967 – making it the Philippines’ oldest business publication!
They built their stellar reputation by providing trustworthy, valuable news straight from the expert, and presenting it in a digestible and informative manner. On the other hand, their insights can range from corporate shake-ups to economy and employment trends!
Plus, they’re not afraid to lead the charge, organizing events like the “Economic Forum” and “BusinessWorld Stock Market Roundtable,” where all the big names – industry leaders, government officials, and innovators – gather to discuss ideas. These forward-thinking initiatives only reinforce their reputation as a relevant resource, even in the fluctuating landscape!
- Business Mirror
Launched in 2005 by the late entrepreneur Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, Business Mirror offers substance-over-superficiality coverage of all things business. This commitment proved so successful that it not only established the publication as a prominent source among discerning readers and influential decision-makers but also amassed numerous awards in recognition of its efforts. These include four major wins at the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards – notably the prestigious “Oriental Leaf Award” (or Hall of Fame)!
- Manila Standard
Formerly called, “The Standard,” Manila Standard has been a popular broadsheet since its inception in 1987. Its solid reputation is due to its news delivery mix of national and local stories, business developments, and thought-provoking commentaries, sans fluff or bias.
Originally, it was a typical broadsheet, but in 1988, they made a gutsy decision to embrace the tabloid format. From there, innovations continued: the print was supersized by six meters to improve readability and provide more room for content – like photos and opinion pieces. That move put them leagues ahead of the competition.
Come 1997, they reverted to the broadsheet style, and later on, in 2016, rebranded as the Manila Standard. This blend of genuine passion and top-notch reporting garnered them a devoted readership and prestigious honors, like the “Newspaper of the Year” award from the Rotary Club of Manila in 2015!
- Daily Tribune
Daily Tribune (formerly The Daily Tribune) debuted in 2000 with a fresh voice, epitomizing the company mantra: “Without Fear, Without Favor.” It was the concrete culmination of legendary journalist Ninez Cacho-Oliveras’s life’s work; whose illustrious career began writing for major labels like Bulletin Today (now Manila Bulletin), Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Business Day (now BusinessWorld), then most notably as publisher and editor-in-chief of the Philippine Post.
With such a distinguished background and her at the helm, it’s no surprise Daily Tribune quickly became a trusted source, synonymous with delivering fearless reporting and razor-sharp analysis on everything – international and local affairs, business, lifestyle, and even sports!
Today, it continues to uphold the founder’s inventive spirit and bold legacy, with such efforts not going unnoticed – leading to the broadsheet being honored with the coveted “Newspaper of the Year” award for the third time (2017, 2021, 2023) by the Rotary Club of Manila!
- Malaya Business Insight
Malaya Business Insight began as a Filipino tabloid in 1981, before shifting to a more English-centric refreshing dose of unfiltered truth on economics during the Marcos dictatorship – true to its name, “Malaya” meaning “Free”.
Today, it continues to foster understanding with reports ranging from cutting-edge technology to the latest industry developments. In addition, they also host spaces for open dialogue, like the groundbreaking project, “Ambassador’s Insights,” where international and local ambassadors gather to share their perspectives on global affairs!
The Power of the Broadsheet
When it comes to considering valid sources and reading news – it’s essential not to overlook broadsheets; they’re a solid bet, with accuracy and transparency inherent to their existence and function. Even more so, at an age where the landscape’s become rampant with fake news and AI-tampered photos! Remember, they’re trustworthy for a reason!
Work with NGP-IMC to tap into our reliable media network, and let’s propel your press releases to the best of Philippine journalism.
Gayle is a copy editor and contributing writer for NGP-IMC, covering all the latest buzz around PR and digital marketing. Previously, she’s penned personality-packed ad copies, headlines, print journals, and articles for industry-leading brands and publishers such as foodpanda, Under Armour, Klook, and more! Additionally, she’s profiled Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, developed scripts for South Korea’s SK-Zic and interviewed female riders to shed light on their experiences at the forefront of dismantling gendered expectations within the male-dominated delivery space.