The Daily Prophet

• Type: Wizarding Newspaper / Publication
• Owners: While presented as an independent entity, it is edited by Barnabas Cuffe (Pottermore). Its editorial stance is heavily influenced by the presiding Ministry of Magic.
• Known Staff: Rita Skeeter (Journalist), Bozo (Photographer)

The Daily Prophet is the primary newspaper serving the wizarding community of Great Britain and Ireland. It is printed on standard newsprint paper in black and white. Its most defining feature is the use of moving photographs, which are animated black-and-white images that replay a short, looped sequence of action related to the accompanying article. The newspaper has a traditional layout with a large, bold masthead, sensationalist headlines, columns of text, and advertisements. The price of an issue is five Knuts, though this can fluctuate; payment is typically left in a small bag attached to the leg of the delivery owl. The Prophet also publishes an Evening Prophet and a Sunday Prophet edition to report on breaking news or provide weekend features. Its main offices are located in Diagon Alley (Pottermore).

The core magical property of the Daily Prophet lies in its animated photographs, a common feature in wizarding media that captures a moment in time more vividly than a static Muggle photograph. The paper serves as the main source of mass communication and news for the wizarding population, delivered daily via a vast network of owl post. Beyond reporting news, it is used for:

• Public Announcements: The Ministry of Magic uses it to disseminate official proclamations, new laws, and public safety warnings.
• Advertising: Wizards and wizarding businesses, such as Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, can purchase advertising space.
• Obituaries: It publishes notices of recent deaths, a practice that becomes tragically common during the Second Wizarding War.

The Daily Prophet is a constant presence throughout the series, and its editorial stance serves as a barometer for the political climate of the wizarding world. During Harry Potter's early years at Hogwarts, the paper functions as a typical, if somewhat tabloid-esque, news source. It reports on events like the Gringotts break-in, the Weasley family winning the annual prize draw, and the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban. The newspaper's integrity comes under serious question following the return of Lord Voldemort at the end of the Triwizard Tournament. Under pressure from Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, the Daily Prophet begins a year-long smear campaign against Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. Spearheaded by journalist Rita Skeeter, it prints articles branding Harry as “disturbed and dangerous” and Dumbledore as senile, actively suppressing the truth of Voldemort's return to prevent mass panic and protect the Ministry's reputation. During this period, publications like The Quibbler become the sole source of the truth for those who believe Harry. After Voldemort is seen by Fudge at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, the Prophet is forced to reverse its position, hailing Harry as a “lone voice of truth.” It then begins to report more accurately on the unfolding Second Wizarding War, documenting disappearances, Death Eater activity, and security measures. When the Ministry of Magic falls to Voldemort's control, the Daily Prophet once again becomes a state-controlled propaganda tool. It prints anti-Muggle-born articles that support the ideology of the new regime and reflects the Dark Lord's power. It also serializes Rita Skeeter's sensationalist and largely fabricated biography of Albus Dumbledore, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, shortly after his death. The paper's manipulation of public opinion highlights the critical importance of a free and independent press.

• In the film adaptations, the Daily Prophet props are meticulously designed with unique typography and animated photographs that bring the magical newspaper to life. The headlines are often more direct and visually dramatic than described in the books (film).
• The name “Prophet” is somewhat ironic. Instead of foretelling the future or speaking a higher truth, the paper often simply “prophesies” what the Ministry of Magic wants the public to believe, making it a mouthpiece for the current regime rather than an objective source of facts.