Spanish Journalism: History and Evolution from 20th Century to Democracy

Spanish Journalism

Print journalism has undergone several changes. In the first half of the century, the work was more focused on information, using news stories and chronicles. In the second half, with the advent of radio and TV, the focus shifted to critical analysis. In recent years, major newspapers offer an electronic version via the Internet.

It has been named the fourth power due to its influence on society.

The Early Twentieth Century

The political press was emphasized, although some publications were defined as independent. They sought profitability using advertising but did not reach large print runs due to illiteracy.

World War

During World War I, the press collaborated with the army. Photojournalism was developed.

Dictatorship

• With Primo de Rivera, the press suffered a setback with the establishment of censorship. Upon establishing the Second Republic, party newspapers of limited circulation appeared.
• With the Civil War, censorship returned, and the press only informed of the conflict and the ideals of each side. Papers were confiscated and served the occupying side.
• During the Franco regime, there remained an obsession with control of the press. Two periods of newspapers can be distinguished:

1939-1966: Strict Censorship

Newspapers that promoted or opposed the regime's ideology appeared and disappeared. There were three types of newspapers: privately owned (ABC), those of the Church (Ya), and those of the Movement (Arriba).

1966-1975: Relative Openness

With the "Fraga Law," previously unthinkable information was published. Monthly and weekly magazines appeared, in addition to those focused on celebrity gossip (Hola, Lecturas, etc.).

Journalism and Democracy

Newspapers underwent ownership changes and technological developments and also enjoyed freedom of expression. ABC was adapted, and new newspapers appeared, such as El País, which focused on the construction of a full democracy with a renewal of society, and Diario 16, which defended the democratic system and quality journalism.

In the 1980s, the regional press was strengthened (El Correo, La Voz de Galicia). Free publications funded by advertising began to be edited (Diario Médico, Gaceta Universitaria).

In 1989, the director of Diario 16 launched El Mundo del Siglo XXI, a journal focused on research and reporting.

Press and Literature

The press has had a great relationship with literature. Some authors from the Generation of '98 wrote articles, made contributions, or published part of their works in newspapers or magazines. Unamuno worked with El Noticiero Bilbaíno and published articles such as "Around Traditionalism" and "Spain and the Spanish." Azorín wrote in El Imparcial and España, Pío Baroja in El País, Valle-Inclán in El Mundo, and Ortega y Gasset in El Sol.

Some newspapers publish literary supplements. There is a greater concern for incorporating style and literary devices. Currently, authors such as Antonio Gala and Javier Marías, among others, collaborate with the press.