The Daily Prophet

> There is only one wizarding newspaper in Britain, discounting such small circulation publications such as The Quibbler. The Daily Prophet, whose headquarters are in Diagon Alley, is delivered by owl on a daily basis to nearly every wizarding household in Britain.
>
> Description of the newspaper, Pottermore

The ***Daily Prophet*** was a wizarding newspaper based in ***London***, England and was the primary source of news for ***British*** and ***Irish*** wizards. The latest known Editor in Chief was ***Barnabas Cuffe***, who worked in the main office located in Diagon Alley.

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Because of the newspaper's ability to influence the minds of many in the British and Irish wizarding communities, it had been known to print slanted-content at the request of the British Ministry of Magic, in an effort to publicise the Ministry's preferred versions of ongoing events and political agendas.
Unfortunately, the *Prophet* did not seem to have a lot of journalistic integrity, as it had been known to be more concerned about sales than the factual accuracy and reporting of ongoing events, especially when it came to one of their journalists, Rita Skeeter, who frequently made up fake quotes for her stories.
The paper featured a morning and evening edition, the latter of which was called the *Evening Prophet*. The weekend edition was called the *Sunday Prophet*. Additional news bulletins could be delivered quickly when important, newsworthy events occurred. As news changed, an edition might magically change, too, over the course of the day, probably by means of a ***Protean Charm***.

## Overview

### Distribution

There was only one wizarding newspaper in Britain (discounting such small circulation publications such as ***The Quibbler***). The *Daily Prophet*, whose headquarters were in Diagon Alley, was delivered by owl on a daily basis to nearly every wizarding household in Britain. Payment was effected by placing coins in the pouch tied to the paper-owl's leg. Occasionally (when something particularly interesting or exciting happened, such as the illegal flight of a Ford Anglia the length of Britain) an *Evening Prophet* edition would be rushed out. Subscriptions to the paper cost 1 ***Knut***. This paper was not only delivered to the wizards' houses, but was also likely delivered to their schools, as it was delivered to professors and a few students at Hogwarts in the mornings, when the owl post arrived.
The *Prophet* was not the only publication in wizarding Britain, obviously, but it was almost certainly the most widely read. Stories in the *Prophet* often coloured public opinion to a great amount. When the *Prophet* published stories deriding Harry Potter and Dumbledore, most people in the Wizarding World believed what they read. The most widely read alternative newspaper in the wizarding world was ***The Quibbler***.
Aside from owls, copies of the *Daily Prophet* were also available via newspaper vendors in the British Ministry of Magic Headquarters.

### Journalistic integrity

 File:Rita Skeeter 2.jpg
While the *Daily Prophet* had been known to print facts, it had also had a somewhat negative reputation for being incredibly biased, corrupt, and deceptive as well. It is clear that, as there was strong government control of the newspaper, the facts could be misleading, if not outright fabrications, and that certain means of gathering information appeared to be somewhat unethical. Government control of the Ministry was shown in the way that the *Daily Prophet* appeared to pressure the government and go around official sources, and several people in Harry's circles felt that the Ministry of Magic "leaned heavily" on *Prophet*.
In other instances, the *Daily Prophet* had misleading journalism — information that, while accurate in fact, led readers to the wrong conclusion. There were also occasions when the newspaper was seen to contain inaccurate or libellous content. It appeared that there was little regard for accuracy in any form, and no consequences or accountability for poor journalistic practices.
The *Daily Prophet's* unethical means of gathering information were most accurately seen with ***Rita Skeeter***, a prominent but corrupt journalist who wrote with a complete disregard for accuracy, truthfulness and objectivity — often conducting interviews with a ***Quick Quotes Quill***, a magical quill that wrote automatically as the subject spoke. However, the quill did not record verbatim what the subject said. Instead, it took a subject's words and created sensational and inaccurate tales that bore little resemblance to actual events. In addition, Skeeter illegally turned herself into a ***beetle*** to spy on people and get personal information from them without being seen.

## Description

 File:Ministry Advertisements From The Daily Prophet concept art2.jpg
The *Daily Prophet* reported on everything going on in the wizarding world (albeit not always in an unbiased way). In addition to news, the *Daily Prophet* included a ***Magizoology*** column which was run every Wednesday and a Quidditch section which featured a boxed table of all the teams in the league, ranked by total number points scored, with forthcoming matches listed side by side. This section also included articles on recent matches and other items of interest.
Wizardkind tended not to require alternative political flavours in its news coverage (which is not to say, however, that the *Prophet* did not have a political agenda). As a small, outsider and occasionally beleaguered community, wizards were, by and large, interested in the same kinds of stories: whether anyone was in trouble for infractions of the International Statute of Secrecy, what irritating legislation the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office had come up with now, and when the next Celestina Warbeck/Weird Sisters concert would take place.

 File:Ministry Advertisements From The Daily Prophet concept art.jpg
There was also an editorial section of the newspaper, where only few got responses, and were usually brief. The best letter was under the headline *STAR LETTER*. A classified advertisements section was in the newspaper, with subheadings of JOBS, FOR SALE, and LONELY HEARTS. Birth and death notices also appeared on this page. The advice section of the *Prophet* had a variety of experts in differing fields answer readers' questions. Some topics covered in the past had been Medical Queries, Emotional Dilemmas, Legal Problems, and everyday magical problems. Sometimes, the *Daily Prophet* had a "fiendishly difficult" crossword puzzle, and usually had a Magic Lottery and a Magical Symbols Game.
The *Daily Prophet* also allowed advertisements in their newspaper by businesses. Some of these ads included: Nimbus brooms, clothing, Floo Powder accelerator, and ***O.W.L.*** crammers. The Ministry also used ad space in the *Prophet*. The Ministry posted various warnings, classes on advanced Defensive spells, and spells that could be used to safeguard your home.

### *Evening Prophet*

The *Evening Prophet* was the name of the evening edition of the *Daily Prophet*. Presumably, this edition included different features, compared to the morning edition or ***Sunday Prophet***.
Evening editions could apparently be delivered very quickly after an important story broke. A witch or wizard anywhere in Britain could have a copy in hand within a short time of publication. For example, when Ron Weasley and Harry Potter were spotted by Muggles flying the Ford Anglia, Snape had a copy of the Hogwarts story clenched in his hand after they arrived. One of the Muggles who spotted them was in Peebles, which is relatively close to Hogwarts, so the story couldn't have been more than an hour old at that point.

### *Sunday Prophet*

The *Sunday Prophet* was the name of the weekend edition of the *Daily Prophet*. Presumably, this edition included different features, compared to the daily edition.

## History

### Creation

The *Daily Prophet* had been producing papers since 1743, the year when it famously described Gideon Flatworthy, head of an extremist anti-Muggle group, as "*less a wizard, more a lazy walrus-like object who lies all day on a rather smelly cushion, and expects people to admire him for it*".

### Early 20th century

 File:DailyProphet-29November1926.jpg
The *Daily Prophet* covered the rise of ***Gellert Grindelwald***'s rise to power, questioning if then ***Minister for Magic*** ***Hector "Flamboyant" Fawley*** was doing enough and detailing the increased security measures taken at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

### Recent history

A copy of the *Daily Prophet* was included for free with breakfast at the ***Leaky Cauldron*** in Diagon Alley.
On ***31 July*** 1991, the day Rubeus Hagrid introduced Harry Potter to the wizarding world, he told Harry to pay five Knuts, instead of one Knut, for the *Daily Prophet* when an owl brought it.
The *Prophet* said once in 1995 that it would be three degrees and foggy in Amsterdam. It also stated it would be thirty-seven degrees and foggy in Cuenca. In 1996, the *Prophet* offered "Hocus Tokens", small pullout cards used in contests or for product rebate. Also this year, Hermione Granger used a Daily Prophet to hit Harry Potter over the head in the Hogwarts Library when he commented that he was The Chosen One and that gave Romilda Vane the right to be interested in him.

#### Ministry of Magic's denial

 File:Daily prophet the boy who lies.jpg
During the Ministry's ***campaign*** to discredit and slander Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter, the Prophet was an instrumental tool of the Ministry in their goal to convince the public that Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter were fear-mongering or simply mad. The Ministry of Magic was responsible for the unfair journalism of that summer as Cornelius Fudge strove to discredit Dumbledore's account of the ***return of Lord Voldemort***.
Hermione Granger subscribed to the paper to keep on top of the Ministry's agenda and see what the enemy was saying. Some people, such as ***Augusta Longbottom***, cancelled their subscriptions due to believing in Dumbledore and Harry over the Ministry. Originally, Harry kept getting his subscription only to skim through the front page for information about Voldemort's movements, as he was unaware of the Ministry's denial. Because of this he missed out on the slip-ins of him and Dumbledore being antagonised. Upon realising what was happening, Harry ceased his subscription.
After Fudge was forced to admit that Voldemort had returned, the *Prophet* changed its stance overnight, calling Harry "a lone voice of truth". The newspaper even bought, from ***The Quibbler***, Harry's interview on Voldemort's return and claimed it to be exclusive.

#### Second Wizarding War

 File:DeathEaterTerrorContinues.jpg
After the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Ministry was forced to accept the rebirth of Lord Voldemort, the *Daily Prophet* reported on all the tragedy and terror affecting wizards and Muggles alike. This included reporting the murder of Amelia Bones and Emmeline Vance, the wrongful arrest of Stan Shunpike, and the arrest of Mundungus Fletcher for impersonating an Inferius.
When the Death Eaters took over the Ministry, they also took over the *Daily Prophet*, and subsequently they stopped reporting deaths that Death Eaters were responsible for. They also printed biased, bogus news such as articles on Muggle-borns stealing magic from true wizards. As such, many resistance members turned to other programmes for news, such as Potterwatch and *The Quibbler*.
When Kingsley Shacklebolt became Minister for Magic in 1998, the *Daily Prophet* was de-corrupted, as Voldemort no longer controlled the wizarding world.

## Contents

The regular contents of the *Daily Prophet* were usually the following:

* *Good News* (page 02)
* *Bad News* (page 02)
* *Forecast* (page 02)
* *Potions* (page 03)
* *Magic Lottery* (page 04)
* *E. Limus* (page 05)
* *Astro News* (page 06)
* *Spells* (page 07)
* *International* (page 08)
* *Abracadabra* (page 08)
* *Hocus-Pocus* (page 08)
* *Politics* (page 09)
* *Sports* (page 09)
* *Games* (page 09)
* *Magic News* (page 10)
* *Comment* (page 10)
* *Arts & Warts* (page 11)
* *Tricks & Trucks* (page 11)
* *Opinion* (page 12)
* *Puzzles* (page 12)
* *Kids Corner* (page 12)
* *Black Magic* (page 13)
* *Pink Magic* (page 13)
* *Jobs* (page 15)
* *Showizbiz* (page 15)
* *Health* (page 16)
* *Fitness* (page 16)
* *Ask D. Shaman* (page 16)
* *Obituaries* (page 17)
* *Classified Advertisements* (page 18)
* *Fiendishly Difficult Crossword* (page 18)
* *Blablabla* (page 19)
* *Dr Medusa* (page 20)

## Job positions

* Security Editor
* Sports Editor
* Reporter
* Photographer
* Photographer's Assistant
* Senior Quidditch Correspondent
* Advice Columnist (General)
* Advice Columnist for Legal Problems
* Advice Columnist for Personal Problems
* Advice Columnist for Medical Problems
* Advice Columnist for Magical Problems
* Op-Ed Columnist

## Articles written

DailyProphetAzkaban.pngHe who must be not be named returns.jpgDp severus snape.jpgCampaign to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.jpg

* GRYFFINDOR DEFENDS TITLE
* INQUIRY AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
* CANNONS GO DOWN IN A SHOWER OF ARROWS
* FAULTY WANDS RECALLED
* MAGPIE CHASER "ONLY TRIED FOOTBALL FOR A LAUGH"
* MUGGLES NOT AS STUPID AS WE THINK, SAYS MINISTRY REPORT
* ***BLACK STILL AT LARGE***
* HOLYHEAD HARPIES DRAWS RECORD CROWD
* CELESTINA WARBECK CONCERT CAUSES BROOM CRASH OVER LIVERPOOL
* TROLL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OUT OF CONTROL
* BATS SURVIVE THE TORNADOS
* CANNONS DIDN'T LOSE SHOCK
* CHOSE REIGNS ON EXMOOR FOR FALCONS & PRIDE OF PORTREE
* MADDOCK BLAMED FOR KESTRELS' WIN
* WILDA WALLOPS THE WIGS
* GOBLIN RIOTS ERUPT IN CHIPPING CLODBURY
* MAKING SURE THE PURCHASER OF YOUR OLD WAND IS HUMAN
* MUGGLEMANIAC MADDOCK MUST QUIT MAGPIES, SAYS MCLEOD
* SEEKERS JINXED AS PRIDE OF PORTREE FALL TO THE ARROWS
* BRAND NEW HARPY SAVES THE DAY
* CHUDLEY CANNONS WIN STUNS FANS
* MINISTRY IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS
* NEW POTION GIVES HOPE FOR HAGS
* ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN
* PUDDLEMERE CHASER VANISHES AMID CHAOS AT HOLYHEAD MATCH
* CANNONS BLAST THE FALCONS
* THE BOY WHO LIES
* DUMBLEDORE: DAFT OR DANGEROUS?
* ***TRESPASS AT MINISTRY***
* ***MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN***
* HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED RETURNS
* DEATH EATER ATTACK TARGETS MUGGLES
* HARRY POTTER: THE CHOSEN ONE?
* DARK MARK SPARKS PANIC
* MUGGLE FAMILY MURDERED
* RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING WITH MUGGLE PRIME MINISTER
* DEATH EATER TERROR CONTINUES
* DARK FORCES GROW IN NUMBER
* GOBLIN NEGOTIATION TALKS BREAK DOWN
* HOUSE PRICES CRASH IN HOGSMEADE
* FLOO POWDER MISHAPS: THE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW
* WHERE DO WE GET OUR WANDS NOW?
* ***TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP***
* ***DUMBLEDORE'S GIANT MISTAKE***
* POTTER OR PLOTTER?
* DUMBLEDORE: DAFT OR DANGEROUS?
* OUR CHASERS AREN'T CHEATING
* DISASTROUS OPENING CEREMONY LEADS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP SECURITY
* NORWAY VERSUS IVORY COAST
* ***ROSENFELD CASE FALLS APART: VERITASERUM TAINTED?***

## Behind the scenes

* In Template:OOTP, several montages appear to show several example of the *Prophet's* motion photography with audio. It is unclear whether this is done simply for dramatic effect, or if in fact some stories in the *Daily Prophet* include audio clips.
* In Template:HBP, when Harry was in cafe ***Treats***, the pictures are shown to be still and not moving like the ***Muggle*** photos. There might be a special incantation (that is not affected by ***the Trace***) that triggers the movement of the pictures. However, ***the waitress*** serving him did mention she thought she saw the pictures move at one point.
* ***Tom Felton*** has said that he would like to work for the Daily Prophet.

## Appearances

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* Template:HPV Template:Mention
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* *The Art of Harry Potter Mini Book of Graphic Design*
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## Notes and references

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1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Template:WW
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Template:HBP
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Template:GOF
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Template:OOTP - Chapter 5 (*The Ministry of Magic*)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Template:OOTP
6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `GOF18`
7. ↑ Template:COS
8. ↑ Template:FB - Template:See-image
9. ↑ Template:WBS
10. ↑ Template:HPLE, see this image
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Template:PS
12. ↑ Template:MHP - See this image.
13. ↑ Template:OOTP - Chapter 30 (*The Lost Prophecy*)
14. ↑ "***Making the Magic Real***" presentation by ***Miraphora Mina*** and ***Eduardo Lima***, at LeakyCon 2013 (29 June, 2013) Template:See-image
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Template:DH
16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `DH12`
17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `HBP4`
18. ↑ Template:HM
19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `DP3`
20. ↑ Seen on a board in Template:HPFJ
21. ↑ Template:POA
22. ↑ ‘Harry Potter’ Stars Consider Their Wizarding Careers at The Leaky Cauldron

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