Spanish Political Press: 19th & 20th Century Media Analysis

The press in the 19th and first third of the 20th century allows us to understand historical events and the different interpretations of reality from various political perspectives. Different media outlets responded to political parties and ideological currents within Spanish society.

The development of the press was stimulated in the 19th century by freedom of the press, becoming the main organ of expression for various political currents. This began during the reign of Fernando VII and consolidated throughout the century.

Key Publications

Under Isabel II:

• The Liberal
• The National Guard
• The Echo of the Working Class
• The Rocket

During the Restoration:

• The Emancipation
• The Socialist
• The Spanish and American Emancipation
• Diario de Barcelona
• La Vanguardia and Veu

First Third of the 20th Century:

Improvements in technical means favored the expansion of the press. This led to the emergence of a mass press, which created, spread, and critically argued opinions, fostering the progressive formation of independent public opinion.

• Conservative: The North, La Palanca, El Porvenir, ABC, Black and White magazine, El Debate
• Center: The Date, Iberia, El Progreso
• Left: The Labor Herald, The Ideal, La Voz del Pueblo, The Democratic Union, El País, The Sun
• Anarchist: Joventud, Solidaridad Obrera, Tierra y Libertad, The Damned

Humorous and Satirical Press

The freedom established by the revolution of 1868 led to a flourishing of satirical press, especially in humorous weeklies. Cartoons and comic reviews were key components of this press. These media reached readers clearly and pleasantly, expressing messages easily for a less enlightened public, who could better understand a drawing or cartoon than dense political articles. Readers identified politicians, governments, or popular characters through cartoons that highlighted relevant physical features or distorted reality to convey a message.