How a British Tabloid Built an Empire on Sensationalism, Controversy, and Manufactured Truths

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Sun transformed from a struggling broadsheet into Britain’s most influential, and often reviled, tabloid. Through aggressive marketing, topless models, and a penchant for fabrication, it redefined the nation's media landscape. Yet, its relentless pursuit of sales frequently collided with ethics, leading to notorious scandals and profound public backlash.

Launched in 1964 to replace the Daily Herald, The Sun initially failed to find its footing as a left-leaning broadsheet. By 1969, it was losing £2 million annually. Rupert Murdoch purchased the paper for £800,000, immediately pivoting to a tabloid format under editor Larry Lamb. Murdoch’s strategy was simple: quality was measured by sales, and he had no interest in the 'upmarket' journalism of his competitors. The paper quickly adopted the 'red top' style, matching the Daily Mirror’s layout and introducing Page 3 topless models in 1970, a move that drew intense criticism from feminists and cultural conservatives.

Under editor Kelvin MacKenzie, who took over in 1981, the paper became increasingly irreverent and aggressive. The Sun championed the Falklands War with jingoistic fervor, famously using a 'GOTCHA' headline to mark the sinking of the General Belgrano. Its political influence grew as it shifted support to Margaret Thatcher, while simultaneously launching scathing, often fabricated attacks on political opponents. The paper frequently engaged in sensationalism, such as the 1986 'Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster' story, which was later revealed to be a total fabrication by the subject's PR agent.

The paper’s most enduring controversy remains its 1989 coverage of the Hillsborough disaster. Following the death of 97 people, The Sun published a front-page headline, 'The Truth,' falsely accusing Liverpool fans of theft and attacking emergency services. Editor Kelvin MacKenzie later claimed he published the allegations in good faith based on information from a Conservative MP, though he privately expressed a lack of remorse for years. The fallout from this coverage remains the most significant stain on the publication's history, highlighting the dangerous intersection of tabloid ambition and journalistic malpractice.

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