New York Sun publishes final paper

The New York Sun published its final edition this morning, ending the 6 1/2-year-old newspaper's tenure.

The daily paper never posted a profit during it's short life.

Like many other newspapers, the Sun had been losing a considerable amount of money each month with the high price of newsprint and plummeting advertising revenue. The paper was known, according to a New York Post article, for its "conservative, pro-Israel editorial slant."

Editor Seth Lipsky wrote that he and vice president and managing editor Ira Stoll did everything they could to save the paper.

"We have spoken with every individual who seemed to be a prospective partner, and everywhere we were received with courtesy and respect. I tend to be an optimist and held out hope for a favorable outcome as late as mid-afternoon [Sunday]. But among other problems that we faced was the fact that this month, not to mention this week, has been one of the worst in a century in which to be trying to raise capital, and in the end we were out not only of money but time."

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he was sad to see the paper go.

"In a City saturated with news coverage and commentary, The Sun shone brightly, though too briefly. Whether you agreed or disagreed with the Sun’s writers, they were smart, thoughtful, provocative – and sometimes even courageous. What other paper in America urged Dick Cheney to run for President? The Sun launched the careers of many talented and dedicated journalists, whose stories often raised the bar for their competitors. I am sorry to see the Sun halt its presses and send my best wishes to all labored so hard to make it a success, especially Seth Lipsky and Ira Stoll."

Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, in his first comments since resigning from office, said "The Sun has been a spectacular addition to the city's political discourse and is one of the finest papers in terms of editing, writing, and analysis that one can find anywhere."

Read Lipsky's statement to the newspaper staff here.

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