October 25, 1996
Slogan for The Times on the Web: 'All the News That's Fit to Print'
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
fter a two-month public search for a slogan that summarized the news mission of The New York Times's Web site, The New York Times has announced that its original slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print" will appear on the home page of The New York Times on the Web beginning today, October 25 -- the date the slogan first appeared in the newspaper 100 years ago.
The widely publicized contest elicited some 8,000 entries from across the nation, with 23 individuals calling to keep the original slogan coined by publisher Adolph S. Ochs in 1896. Those 23 winning entrants will each receive a $100 cash prize.
One winner, Dr. Fred A. Ringwald of University Park, Pa., wrote, "It's a splendid slogan, and fits the mission of The New York Times, no matter what medium it comes in these days. Why do you need a new one?" Another, Richard Olsen of Brooklyn, wrote, "Keep `All the News That's Fit to Print.' That's The Times. Enough Said." A third winner, Nigel Euling of Seattle, warned, "Don't change it! If you do, history will judge you poorly," while a fourth, Karen Pike Davis of Easton, Pa., asked: "Why tamper with genius? The slogan says it all and has been saying it for 100 years. Why change now?"
"We agree with those who believe it is not the medium or method of distribution that matters most," said Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher of The New York Times. "What remains paramount to our mission is the accuracy, thoroughness and fairness of our news content, and our daily commitment to our readers. `All the News That's Fit to Print' has summed that up very well for the last century and will do so for the next, regardless of how we distribute our information."
The Web slogan contest was announced on August 18 -- the date 100 years earlier when Mr. Ochs completed his purchase of the newspaper. The contest's judges -- Martin Nisenholtz, president of The New York Times Electronic Media Company; Esther Dyson, editor and publisher of the computer industry newsletter Release 1.0, and Jack Rosenthal, assistant managing editor of The New York Times and editor of The New York Times Magazine -- poured through thousands of entries that included "All the News That's Fit to Click," "The News of the Day, a Click Away," "News of the Land, Without Dirty Hands," "All the News That's Fit to Print Out" and "The Times @ Any Time."
"After reviewing thousand of entries, we agree with the 24 entrants who called for retaining the original slogan," said Mr. Nisenholtz. "Nothing better captures the mission of the online and print editions of The New York Times than those simple seven words."
The contest marks the second time in the newspaper's history in which the original slogan prevailed. A century ago, Mr. Ochs decided to offer $100 to anyone who could propose a better one. The response was astonishing with thousands of entries including "All the News Worth Telling," "Free From Filth, Full of News," and "News for the Millions, Scandal for None." Although a winner was selected (D.M. Redfield of New Haven for "All the World News but Not a School for Scandal"), the original slogan had already become ingrained in the public mind. Mr. Ochs and his editors paid Mr. Redfield the $100 prize, but elected to retain "All the News That's Fit to Print."
Just as they did 100 years ago, The Times and its editors decided to stick with that slogan. And thus with today's announcement, The New York Times pledges to continue providing "All the News That's Fit to Print" for as long as The Times is published in whatever the form.
