We can hardly feign shock at revelations of inflated circulation numbers in major publications, especially regarding Newsday's stalking of deceased and/or uninterested readers. The problem of false circulation figures is widespread, no doubt. According to a super-redacted tip, even the glossies are playing the game:

As a former employee of [A MAJOR TABLOID], I'm not surprised by the Newsday revelation that they started home delivery to people who had never requested it. That was how [NAME OF AN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR] made publication numbers so high... We now know readership has dropped over 50%, but initially they fibbed about the circulation [...] I believe [THAT EDITORIAL DIRECTOR] gets a $3 million bonus if successful...

I, for one, am absolutely shocked that any major tabloid with a bonus-driven editor would have any involvement in the dissemination of falsehoods. Is nothing sacred?