UK newspapers: Who owns them, what they stand for, and who reads them

When you pick up a UK newspaper, a printed or digital news publication serving readers across Britain, often with regional or national focus. Also known as British press, it's one of the oldest and most trusted sources of daily information in the country. But not all UK newspapers are the same. Some are backed by powerful media groups, others by nonprofit trusts. Some lean left, others right. And some, like the BBC UK News, the UK’s most-watched online news source, funded by the TV license fee and free of advertising, don’t even take ads at all. The Financial Times, a global business paper with roots in London, known for its market-driven editorial stance and centrist economic views doesn’t endorse parties—it endorses policies. The The Guardian, a progressive daily owned by the Scott Trust, where profits fund journalism instead of shareholders openly backs Labour. And the London Gazette, the oldest continuously published newspaper in the UK, dating back to 1665, still carries official government notices hasn’t changed its purpose in over 350 years.

Why does any of this matter? Because who owns the paper shapes what you read. The Guardian’s trust structure means it doesn’t chase clicks for profit—it can afford to be bold. The BBC’s public funding lets it report on corruption without fearing a billionaire owner’s wrath. Meanwhile, commercial papers like the Daily Mail or The Sun answer to shareholders, which affects how they frame stories on immigration, the NHS, or the royal family. Even the way news is delivered is changing. Younger readers get headlines from TikTok, not the front page. Older readers still want the physical paper on their kitchen table. And the Met Office’s weather forecasts? They’re still printed in most major papers—even though everyone checks their phone.

What you’ll find here isn’t just a list of names. It’s a breakdown of who’s behind the headlines, how their funding shapes their reporting, and why some papers are trusted more than others. You’ll see how the UK newspapers you grew up with are adapting—or struggling—to survive in a world where attention is the only currency that matters. Whether you care about politics, the economy, or just want to know if it’s going to rain tomorrow, the truth is in the details. And below, you’ll find the real stories behind the headlines.