The Detroit Free Press is the oldest company in the State of Michigan, yet publishes new content as it is happening. We do th ... at with the largest newsgathering staff in the state and some of the best technology for gathering and posting text, photos and video. One of the Free Press' first editorial campaigns was for Michigan to become a state, which it did in 1837. The Free Press pioneered regular Sunday publication, a women's section and a European edition. The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep." Some still refer to it locally as "The Friendly" -- a slogan from an ad campaign in the '70s. The Free Press is owned by Gannett and has received eight Pulitzer Prizes. read more