For the readers:
* Entertainment and escapism: The Sun provides a lighthearted and often gossipy take on current events, focusing on celebrity news, sports, and entertainment. This caters to a readership seeking distraction and entertainment.
* Opinion and commentary: The Sun presents a clear and often strong stance on political and social issues, appealing to readers who identify with its conservative leaning.
* Community building: The Sun's focus on local news and events fosters a sense of community among its readers, particularly in working-class areas.
For the publishers:
* Commercial success: The Sun is a highly profitable newspaper due to its large readership and aggressive advertising model.
* Political influence: The Sun's editorial stance has a significant influence on public opinion, particularly among its target audience.
* Brand loyalty: The Sun has built a strong brand identity through its distinctive style and consistent editorial approach, creating loyal readers.
However, The Sun's approach has also been criticized for:
* Sensationalism and tabloidization: Critics argue that The Sun's focus on sensationalism and scandal detracts from serious journalism and contributes to a culture of negativity.
* Bias and misinformation: The Sun's strong editorial stance has been accused of promoting partisan views and spreading misinformation.
* Exploitation: The Sun has been criticized for exploiting vulnerable individuals and sensationalizing personal tragedies for profit.
Overall, The Sun's purpose is complex and multifaceted. It provides entertainment, opinion, and a sense of community to its readers, while also pursuing commercial success and political influence. However, its methods have also been criticized for sensationalism, bias, and exploitation.