협성회가 주간 발행이었던 협성회회보를 발전시킨 우리나라 최초의 일간신문이다.

매일신문이 발간된 후에는 한말의 민족지 뎨국신문과 황성신문이 뒤이어 창간되었고, 이듬해인 1899년 1월에는 시사총보(時事叢報)가 창간되는 등 우리나라 민간신문 발달의 선도 역할을 담당하였다.

외세 저항적인 논조와 이후 발간되는 민간신문에 영향을 준 최초의 일간신문으로서 역사적 가치가 있다.

Maeil sinmun was Korea’s first daily newspaper issued in 1898, which was developed from the weekly newspaper published by the Hyeopseonghoe (Cooperation Achievement Association). It holds an important position in the history of the Korean press. The foundation of Maeil sinmun was followed by the publication of Jeguk sinmun (Imperial Post) and Hwangseong sinmun (Capital Gazette), and a newspaper titled Sisa chongbo was first issued in Seoul in January 1899. It maintained a critical attitude towards the nation’s dependence on the power of foreign countries, and had a considerable influence on many private newspapers published in Korea.