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{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox newspaper
{{Infobox newspaper
| name = Últimas Noticias
| name = Últimas Noticias
| image = File:Últimas_Noticias_logo_2.png
| image = File:Últimas_Noticias_logo_2.png
| type = Daily [[newspaper]]
| type = Daily [[newspaper]]
| format =
| format =
| foundation = 16 September 1941
| foundation = 16 September 1941
| ceased publication =
| ceased publication =
| price =
| price =
| owners = [[Robert Hanson (financier)|Robert Hanson]]<ref name=burrell>Ian Burrell, '[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/robert-hanson-his-dad-was-thatcher-s-favourite-tycoon-but-now-he-s-accused-of-selling-out-venezuelan-9864133.html Robert Hanson - his dad was Thatcher's favourite tycoon, but now he's accused of selling out Venezuelan newspaper to socialists]' in ''[[The Independent]]'' online dated 16 November 2014, accessed 11 May 2017</ref>
| owners = [[Robert Hanson (financier)|Robert Hanson]]<ref name=burrell>Ian Burrell, '[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/robert-hanson-his-dad-was-thatcher-s-favourite-tycoon-but-now-he-s-accused-of-selling-out-venezuelan-9864133.html Robert Hanson - his dad was Thatcher's favourite tycoon, but now he's accused of selling out Venezuelan newspaper to socialists]' in ''[[The Independent]]'' online dated 16 November 2014, accessed 11 May 2017</ref>
| publisher =
| publisher =
| editor =
| editor =
| circulation = 300,000 (2013)<ref name=LN2013/>
| circulation = 300,000 (2013)<ref name=LN2013/>
| headquarters = [[Caracas]],<br />[[Venezuela]]
| headquarters = [[Caracas]],<br />[[Venezuela]]
| ISSN =
| ISSN =
| website = [http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve ultimasnoticias.com.ve]
| website = [http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve ultimasnoticias.com.ve]
|chiefeditor = Eleazar Díaz Rangel
| chiefeditor = {{ill|Eleazar Díaz Rangel|es}}{{update inline|date=August 2023}} <small>(until 2019)</small>
|depeditor = Danisbel Gómez Morillo
| depeditor = Danisbel Gómez Morillo
|political = center-left
| political = Center-left (historically){{citation needed|date=August 2023}}
|sister newspapers = El Mundo Economía y Negocios, Líder en Deportes}}
| sister newspapers = El Mundo Economía y Negocios, Líder en Deportes
}}


'''''Últimas Noticias''''' is a [[daily newspaper]] in [[Venezuela]], currently British-owned and characterized by ''[[The Guardian]]'' as a "pro-Maduro tabloid".<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/24/venezuela-opposition-fears-crackdown-maduro-threatens-arrests |work= The Guardian |date= 24 March 2019 |access-date= 25 March 2019 |title= Venezuela opposition fears crackdown after Maduro threatens arrests |author= Phillips, Tom}}</ref>
'''''Últimas Noticias''''' is a [[Tabloid journalism|tabloid]] newspaper in [[Venezuela]] founded in 1941 after pro-freedom measures implemented by President [[Isaías Medina Angarita]] and was the largest circulated newspaper in Venezuela prior to 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Minaya |first=Ezequiel |date=2014-09-08 |title=Venezuela's Press Crackdown Stokes Growth of Online Media |language=en-US |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/venezuelas-press-crackdown-stokes-growth-of-online-media-1410136494 |access-date=2023-08-13 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> ''[[Le Monde]]''<ref name=LeMondeFiredJournalist/> and Reuters<ref name=ReutersJournalistReleased>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelan-journalist-released-after-being-charged-with-terrorism-union-says-2024-08-26/|work=Reuters|date=26 August 2024|access-date=26 August 2024|title=Venezuelan journalist released after being charged with terrorism, union says}}</ref> described it in 2024 as a "pro-government" newspaper. The newspaper became more critical of [[chavismo]] in the late 2000s and early 2010s. After it was bought in 2013 by British financier [[Robert Hanson (financier)|Robert Hanson]], its editorial line became less critical of the government.<ref name=Independent2014/><ref name=Reuters2014/>{{failed verification|date=August 2023}}<ref name=Phillips2019>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/24/venezuela-opposition-fears-crackdown-maduro-threatens-arrests |work= The Guardian |date= 24 March 2019 |access-date= 25 March 2019 |title= Venezuela opposition fears crackdown after Maduro threatens arrests |author= Phillips, Tom}}</ref>


⚫
== History ==
''Últimas Noticias'' was founded in [[Caracas]] on 16 September 1941 after the pro-freedom measures implemented by [[Venezuelan President|President]] [[Isaías Medina Angarita|Medina Angarita]]. It initially bore the name ''Diario del Pueblo'' (the people's newspaper), and was created by Víctor Simone D'Lima, "Kotepa" Delgado, Vaughan Salas Lozada and Pedro Beroes. [[Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala]] acquired the majority of the shares in 1948.<ref name=TalCual>{{cite web|url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/Nota/visor.aspx?id=58656&tipo=AVA |title=70 velitas |publisher=TalCualDigital |access-date=16 September 2011 |language=Spanish}}</ref> He was the president of ''La Cadena Capriles'', until his death in 1996. His son, [https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=11688487&privcapId=241351359&previousCapId=241351359&previousTitle=Cadena%2520Capriles,%2520C.A. Miguel Angel Capriles López] assumed that position in 1998 until 2013, starting a modernization process that lasted more than 12 years. On 16 October 2000 it was relaunched, adopting a more colloquial tone and aiming to be more of a guide to daily life.<ref name=TalCual/> In June 2002 it began printing in colour on every page and launched its Sunday edition aimed to a more middle class audience.<ref name=TalCual/> From 2004 to 2006 it launched four regional editions (for different areas of Greater Caracas) in addition to the national one.<ref name=TalCual/> In 2009 started the integration of all its newspapers with digital platforms and moved to a state-of-the-art facility, the most modern newsroom in the country, in 2012. In 2013, the newspaper was sold to an "investment group" that was allegedly more sympathetic to the Venezuelan government for $160–180 million.<ref name=LN2013>{{cite news|last1=Lozano|first1=Daniel|title=Otro avance chavista: se queda con el diario más vendido del país|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1588241-otro-avance-chavista-se-queda-con-el-diario-mas-vendido-del-pais|access-date=18 January 2015|agency=La Nación|date=4 June 2013}}</ref>
''Últimas Noticias'' was founded in [[Caracas]] on 16 September 1941 after the pro-freedom measures implemented by President [[Isaías Medina Angarita]]. It initially bore the name ''Diario del Pueblo'' (the people's newspaper), and was created by Víctor Simone D'Lima, "Kotepa" Delgado, Vaughan Salas Lozada and Pedro Beroes. [[Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala]] acquired the majority of the shares in 1948.<ref name=TalCual>{{cite web|url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/Nota/visor.aspx?id=58656&tipo=AVA |title=70 velitas |publisher=TalCualDigital |access-date=16 September 2011 |language=Spanish}}</ref> He was the president of ''La Cadena Capriles'', until his death in 1996. His son, Miguel Angel Capriles López assumed that position in 1998 until 2013, starting a modernization process that lasted more than 12 years. On 16 October 2000 it was relaunched, adopting a more colloquial tone and aiming to be more of a guide to daily life.<ref name=TalCual/>


In June 2002, ''Ultimas Noticias'' began printing in colour on every page and launched its Sunday edition aimed to a more middle class audience.<ref name=TalCual/> From 2004 to 2006 it launched four regional editions (for different areas of Greater Caracas) in addition to the national one.<ref name=TalCual/> In 2009 it started the integration of all its newspapers with digital platforms and moved to a state-of-the-art facility, the most modern newsroom in the country, in 2012. In 2013, the newspaper was sold to an "investment group" that was allegedly more sympathetic to the Venezuelan government for $160–180 million.<ref name=LN2013>{{cite news|last1=Lozano|first1=Daniel|title=Otro avance chavista: se queda con el diario más vendido del país|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1588241-otro-avance-chavista-se-queda-con-el-diario-mas-vendido-del-pais|access-date=18 January 2015|agency=La Nación|date=4 June 2013}}</ref>
It is known for its direct and lively presentation of news, with a strong emphasis on striking graphics and layout and an extensive use of photographs. ''Últimas Noticias'' at its outset was a tabloid consisting of only eight pages and costing just one cent. As of 2008, it published 170,000 copies a day (280,000 to 320,000 on Sundays). According to its own market studies 96.3% of its readers are from "social sectors C, D and E", the lower-income classes, and its supporters call it ''"el periódico del pueblo"'' (the people's newspaper). Seventy percent of its circulation is in [[greater Caracas]], while the rest of the country accounts for the remaining 30%.


''Ultimas Noticias'' was described as a [[Tabloid journalism|tabloid]] in 1958 by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time magazine]]'',<ref name=ThePress>{{cite magazine |title= The press: dangerous liberty |magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url= https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,862928,00.html |date= 17 February 1958 |access-date= 12 August 2023 |quote= La Esfera (The Sphere) and tabloid Ultimas Noticias (Latest News), earned a hazardous reputation as two of the few sheets that proved most staunch in defiance of Pérez Jiménez. }}</ref> in 2007 by ''[[The New York Times]],''<ref name=ChavezMove>{{cite news |title= Chavez's move against critic highlights shift in media |last= Romero |first= Simon |work= New York Times |date= 27 May 2007 |page= 1.6 |via= ProQuest |quote= ... Ultimas Noticias, the Caracas tabloid with the nation's highest circulation, recently helped sponsor a series of forums on ''21st century socialism,'' Mr. Chavez's catch-all concept for the changes sweeping Venezuela.}}</ref><ref name=MovingClocks>{{cite news |title= Moving clocks ahead, reaching back in time |last= Romero |first= Simon |work= New York Times |date= 26 August 2007 |page= WK.3 |via= ProQuest|quote= ... Ultimas Noticias, the most widely circulated daily in Caracas. The tabloid, sympathetic to President Hugo Chavez, ... }}</ref> and in 2019 by ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name=Phillips2019/>
Exhibiting a strong emphasis on a striking appearance and graphic elements, it was originally divided into sections such as ''Hoy'' (Today), which covered national politics; ''Venezuela Adentro'' (Inside Venezuela), which covered domestic news; ''Cartelera Cinematográfica'' (box office); ''Vida de Juan Vicente Gómez'' (caricatures); ''El Cuento de Hoy'' (Story of the Day); ''El Rincón de la Mujer'' (Women's Corner); ''Crónicas del Ávila'' (pieces by various guest contributors); plus sections devoted to sports and other topics.''


[[BBC Monitoring]] stated in 2019 that ''Últimas Noticias'' has "a predominantly pro-government stance";<ref name="BBCMON">{{cite news |date=2019 |title=BBC Monitoring – Essential Media Insight |work=[[BBC Monitoring]] |url=https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk/product/c200pqkj |quote=Also taking a predominantly pro-government stance is the daily Ultimas Noticias, which originally belonged to the Cadena Capriles media group but was sold in 2013 to a business group reported to have ties with the government}}</ref> in the same year, ''[[The Guardian]]'' characterized the paper as a "pro-Maduro tabloid".<ref name=Phillips2019/> In 2007, ''[[The New York Times]]'' said the "tabloid [was] sympathetic to President Hugo Chavez".<ref name=MovingClocks/>
⚫
== Politics ==
Ideologically ''Últimas Noticias'' is in the [[center-left]] of the [[political spectrum]], and is friendlier to President [[Hugo Chávez]] than Venezuela's other two top dailies, ''[[El Nacional (Caracas)|El Nacional]]'' and ''[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]''. A 2005 [[opinion poll|survey]] of the newspaper's readership carried out by polling firm [[Datanálisis]] found that their most appreciated value was "independence," and the paper was perceived by readers in the following way:

:74.2% as an unbiased source
:13.5% as biased towards the government
:3.6% as biased towards the opposition

In 1946 Últimas Noticias sold around 15,000 copies a day. Its editor [[Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala]], in his memoir ''Memorias de la Inconformidad'', wrote that in those years about 80 percent of the staff and directors of the newspaper belonged to the Communist Party.

==Sister publications==
In 1956 Capriles Ayala acquired the newspaper ''La Esfera'', which was sold in 1966. On February 3, 1958, he founded the evening newspaper ''El Mundo''. In 1959 he bought the magazine Élite; 1962 he acquired the magazines ''Venezuela Gráfica'' and ''Páginas'' (the latter of which folded in 1999); in 1966 he founded ''Diario Crítica'' in [[Maracaibo]], which closed in 1990; in 1968 he founded the ''Suplemento Cultural'' to Últimas Noticias; in 1969 he founded the sports daily ''Extra'' (which folded a year later). In 1970 he founded ''Dominical'', the Sunday magazine of Últimas Noticias, and the magazin ''Hipódromo''; in 1972 he bought ''Kena'' (folded in 1999) and founded ''Kabala'' (folded in 1999) and ''Alarma'' (folded in 1973); in 1974 he founded the Maracaibo newspaper ''El Vespertino'', which folded in 1982; in 1988 he founded ''Guía Hípica'', which folded in 2007. In 2005 La Cadena Capriles founded ''URBE'' and the sports publication ''Líder'' and acquired ''Urbe Bikini''; in 2009, it founded ''El Mundo Economía y Negocios''.

Other media enterprises currently owned by La Cadena Capriles include ''La Cadena Multicolor'' and ''PlanetaurbeTV''.


==Changes in the newspaper==
==Changes in the newspaper==
Line 47: Line 36:
In mid-2002 the newspaper began printing in colour on every page.<ref name=TalCual2 /> Between 2004 and 2006 it launched four regional editions (for different areas of [[Greater Caracas]]) in addition to the national one.<ref name=TalCual2 />
In mid-2002 the newspaper began printing in colour on every page.<ref name=TalCual2 /> Between 2004 and 2006 it launched four regional editions (for different areas of [[Greater Caracas]]) in addition to the national one.<ref name=TalCual2 />


In 2013, the British financier [[Robert Hanson (financier)|Robert Hanson]] bought ''Ultimas Noticias'' for his private company Hanson Family Holdings for a figure reported as US$98 million.<ref name=Independent2014>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-17 |title=His dad was Thatcher’s favourite tycoon, but now he’s accused of selling out to socialists |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/robert-hanson-his-dad-was-thatcher-s-favourite-tycoon-but-now-he-s-accused-of-selling-out-venezuelan-newspaper-to-socialists-9864133.html |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name=Reuters2014>{{Cite news |date=2014-11-05 |title=Socialistas venezolanos y magnate de medios londinense, extraños compañeros de negocios |language=en |trans-title=Venezuelan socialists and London media tycoon, strange business partners |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latinoamerica-medios-venezuela-idLTAKBN0IP18N20141105 |access-date=2023-08-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-08 |title=¿Esta es la cara del dueño de Últimas Noticias? |trans-title=Is this the face of the owner of Últimas Noticias? |url=https://elestimulo.com/venezuela/2014-11-08/esta-es-la-cara-del-dueno-de-ultimas-noticias/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=[[El Estímulo]] |language=es}}</ref> In 2014, he was accused by newspaper staff of turning it into "a Socialist Party mouthpiece", but the editor, Héctor Dávila, replied that his only instructions from Hanson were "to run a balanced and profitable newspaper".<ref name=burrell/> Following censorship by the newspapers director during the [[2014 Venezuelan protests]], Chief Researcher Tamoa Calzadilla along with others resigned.<ref>{{cite web |title=Renuncia Jefa de Investigación de Últimas Noticias por censura |url=http://cnpcaracas.org/2014/03/noticias/renuncia-jefa-de-investigacion-de-ultimas-noticias-por-censura/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025039/http://cnpcaracas.org/2014/03/noticias/renuncia-jefa-de-investigacion-de-ultimas-noticias-por-censura/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |accessdate=18 January 2015 |website=Colegios Nacional de Periodistas}}</ref> Nathalie Alvaray, the first woman Media VP in the country and leader of all the innovation and convergence projects resigned a week before.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Venezuela, online news helps journalists get their voices back - Committee to Protect Journalists |url=https://cpj.org/blog/2015/06/in-venezuela-online-news-helps-journalists-get-the.php |access-date=2017-11-18 |website=cpj.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cadena Capriles |url=http://ipysvenezuela.org/propietariosdelacensura/cadena-capriles.html |access-date=2017-11-18 |website=ipysvenezuela.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
Between 2009 and 2011, Últimas Noticias became a major multimedia operation, with its website providing an abundance of material, including podcasts, videos, video chats, interviews, sound galleries, and the like. Últimas Noticias radio presents music and interviews around the clock. Launched the first news app in the country and develop its own low cost tablet.

In 2013, the British financier [[Robert Hanson (financier)|Robert Hanson]] bought ''Ultimas Noticias'' for his private company Hanson Family Holdings for a figure reported as US$98 million. In 2014, he was accused by newspaper staff of turning it into "a Socialist Party mouthpiece", but the editor, Héctor Dávila, replied that his only instructions from Hanson were "to run a balanced and profitable newspaper".<ref name=burrell/>

==Controversies==
===Pre-2013 sale===
Marcos Ruiz, a reporter for Últimas Noticias, was one of a group of journalists handing out leaflets in Caracas in favor of [[press freedom]] on August 13, 2009, when he was set upon by at least four supporters of President [[Hugo Chávez]], who punched and beat him with clubs. According to Últimas Noticias, "12 journalists employed by its newspaper group were injured. The paper ran a front-page headline declaring: "Enough with the violence!".

====Reporters attacked====
According to PEN{{clarify|date=February 2013}}, the other journalists attacked on August 13 included Manuel Alejandro Álvarez, [[César Batiz]], Greasi Bolaños, Sergio Moreno González, Octavio Hernandez, Jesús Hurtado, Gabriela Iribarren, Glexis Pastran, Fernando Peñalver, and Marie Rondón, all of them employees of La Cadena Capriles. "The journalists, who were wearing press credentials, were protesting against the government's approval of a new education law that would restrict press freedom", noted PEN. "The assailants reportedly hit and kicked the journalists, leaving them seriously injured, as well as accusing them of being 'defenders of the oligarchy' in the 'people's territory'. The government reportedly issued a statement condemning the attack and the [[Attorney General]] started an investigation. However, as of 21 August only one suspect had been arrested, despite the fact that there are reportedly photos of the attack that should make it easy to identify the others. According to local news reports, the assailants work for the government-owned broadcaster [[AvilaTV]]. Government officials, including President Chávez, have reportedly accused the 12 journalists who were attacked of being 'provocative' and taking a 'political stand,' leading them to fear action that the Attorney General may take action against them".

César Batiz investigated the assassination of journalist [[Orel Sambrano]], who at the time of his murder had been writing columns about the rise in [[drug trafficking]], and has written (in collaboration with Jesus Yajure) about the failure of police to arrest suspects in the killing of journalist, film producer, and entrepreneur [[Jacinto Lopez]].


In January 2015, Venezuelans responded on social media to the controversial headline, "Maduro's Tour Was a Success", portraying that President [[Nicolas Maduro]]'s meeting with Saudi Arabia was successful despite other outlets saying otherwise.<ref name=":0" /> During the [[2017 Venezuelan protests]], Últimas Noticias reported that protester [[Juan Pablo Pernalete]] was killed with a [[captive bolt pistol]] and dismissed the theory that he was killed with a tear gas canister by security forces, causing outrage among readers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zambrano |first=Francisco |date=2017-04-28 |title=Últimas Noticias o las informaciones que a Maduro le gusta leer |url=https://runrun.es/investigacion/306993/ultimas-noticias-o-las-informaciones-que-a-maduro-le-gusta-leer/ |access-date=12 August 2023 |website=[[Runrunes]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=«Basura»: La portada de Últimas Noticias sobre Pernalete que generó indignación (+Foto) |work=El Cooperante |url=https://elcooperante.com/basura-la-portada-de-ultimas-noticias-sobre-pernalete-que-genero-indignacion-foto/ |access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref>
⚫
====Criticism of Venezuelan government====
⚫
''Últimas Noticias'' published investigative journalism that placed it at odds with the administration of Hugo Chávez in the August 2011 exposé by César Batiz of [[Derwick Associates]], a firm accused of bribery and overbilling and currently the target of several lawsuits in the United States.[http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/parroquias/ipys-reconoce-investigacion-de-periodista-de-un.aspx][http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/15/oposicion-exige-revisar-plan-de-inversion-electrica] [http://www.semana.com/mundo/articulo/las-razones-los-robos-que-hicieron-fallar-el-sistema-electrico-en-venezuela/356401-3] [http://www.eluniversal.com/opinion/130806/runrunes][http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/videos--serie--trampas-electricas--de-un-premiada.aspx] [http://ipys.org.ve/alerta/autor-de-investigaciones-periodisticas-sobre-sector-electrico-es-citado-por-presunto-funcionario-de-policia-de-inteligencia-e-intimidado-por-empresa-contratista-2/] [https://www.wefightcensorship.org/tr/node/203html.html] [http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Calculan-sobreprecio-plantas-supera-millardos_0_245375679.html][http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/09/05/actualidad/1378389465_768430.html] [http://www.americasquarterly.org/content/venezuelas-electricity-deficit].


⚫
=== Criticism of Venezuelan government ===
{{cnspan|At a meeting of his [[Cabinet of Venezuela|Council of Ministers]] in May 2012, Chávez accused ''Últimas Noticias'' of manipulating information concerning the announcement of his presidential candidacy. "First I get this copy where it says 'Chávez will announce his candidacy between June 1 and 11'", said Chávez. "And later I receive another copy ... and the headline says: 'Chávez still doesn't know when he will announce his candidacy'. So I ask myself: why did they change the headline? What are they trying to manipulate?'". ''Últimas Noticias'' explained that it publishes six editions a day and that headlines are frequently changed from one edition to the next in order to improve on clarity. The second headline Chávez saw had in fact appeared in that day's first edition, while the first headline he saw had appeared in the other five editions.}}
⚫
''Últimas Noticias'' published investigative journalism that placed it at odds with the administration of Hugo Chávez in the August 2011 exposé by [[César Batiz]] of [[Derwick Associates]], a firm accused of bribery and overbilling and the target of several lawsuits in the United States.[http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/parroquias/ipys-reconoce-investigacion-de-periodista-de-un.aspx][http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/15/oposicion-exige-revisar-plan-de-inversion-electrica][http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/videos--serie--trampas-electricas--de-un-premiada.aspx] [http://ipys.org.ve/alerta/autor-de-investigaciones-periodisticas-sobre-sector-electrico-es-citado-por-presunto-funcionario-de-policia-de-inteligencia-e-intimidado-por-empresa-contratista-2/] [https://www.wefightcensorship.org/tr/node/203html.html] [http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Calculan-sobreprecio-plantas-supera-millardos_0_245375679.html][http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/09/05/actualidad/1378389465_768430.html] [http://www.americasquarterly.org/content/venezuelas-electricity-deficit].


=== 2024 Venezuelan political crisis ===
===Post-2013 sale===
During the [[2024 Venezuelan political crisis|political crisis]] following the [[2024 Venezuelan presidential election]], ''[[Le Monde]]'' wrote that [[Carmela Longo]], a journalist at the "pro-government" newspaper said she was fired shortly before she was arrested.<ref name=LeMondeFiredJournalist>{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/08/26/fired-venezuelan-journalist-and-her-son-arrested-by-police-press-union_6721585_4.html|work=Le Monde|access-date=26 August 2024|title=Fired Venezuelan journalist and her son arrested by police: press union|date=26 August 2024}}</ref>
British financier [[Robert Hanson (financier)|Robert Hanson]] reportedly purchased the newspaper in 2013.<ref name=burrell/> Following alleged censorship by the newspapers director during the [[2014 Venezuelan protests]], Chief Researcher Tamoa Calzadilla along with others resigned.<ref>{{cite web|title=Renuncia Jefa de Investigación de Últimas Noticias por censura|url=http://cnpcaracas.org/2014/03/noticias/renuncia-jefa-de-investigacion-de-ultimas-noticias-por-censura/|website=Colegios Nacional de Periodistas|accessdate=18 January 2015}}</ref> Nathalie Alvaray, the first woman Media VP in the country and leader of all the innovation and convergence projects resigned a week before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cpj.org/blog/2015/06/in-venezuela-online-news-helps-journalists-get-the.php|title=In Venezuela, online news helps journalists get their voices back - Committee to Protect Journalists|website=cpj.org|language=en|access-date=2017-11-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ipysvenezuela.org/propietariosdelacensura/cadena-capriles.html|title=Cadena Capriles|website=ipysvenezuela.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-18}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 20:46, 26 August 2024

Últimas Noticias
TypeDaily newspaper
Owner(s)Robert Hanson[1]
Editor-in-chiefEleazar Díaz Rangel [es][needs update] (until 2019)
Deputy editorDanisbel Gómez Morillo
Founded16 September 1941
Political alignmentCenter-left (historically)[citation needed]
HeadquartersCaracas,
Venezuela
Circulation300,000 (2013)[2]
Sister newspapersEl Mundo Economía y Negocios, Líder en Deportes
Websiteultimasnoticias.com.ve

Últimas Noticias is a tabloid newspaper in Venezuela founded in 1941 after pro-freedom measures implemented by President Isaías Medina Angarita and was the largest circulated newspaper in Venezuela prior to 2014.[3] Le Monde[4] and Reuters[5] described it in 2024 as a "pro-government" newspaper. The newspaper became more critical of chavismo in the late 2000s and early 2010s. After it was bought in 2013 by British financier Robert Hanson, its editorial line became less critical of the government.[6][7][failed verification][8]

History

[edit]

Últimas Noticias was founded in Caracas on 16 September 1941 after the pro-freedom measures implemented by President Isaías Medina Angarita. It initially bore the name Diario del Pueblo (the people's newspaper), and was created by Víctor Simone D'Lima, "Kotepa" Delgado, Vaughan Salas Lozada and Pedro Beroes. Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala acquired the majority of the shares in 1948.[9] He was the president of La Cadena Capriles, until his death in 1996. His son, Miguel Angel Capriles López assumed that position in 1998 until 2013, starting a modernization process that lasted more than 12 years. On 16 October 2000 it was relaunched, adopting a more colloquial tone and aiming to be more of a guide to daily life.[9]

In June 2002, Ultimas Noticias began printing in colour on every page and launched its Sunday edition aimed to a more middle class audience.[9] From 2004 to 2006 it launched four regional editions (for different areas of Greater Caracas) in addition to the national one.[9] In 2009 it started the integration of all its newspapers with digital platforms and moved to a state-of-the-art facility, the most modern newsroom in the country, in 2012. In 2013, the newspaper was sold to an "investment group" that was allegedly more sympathetic to the Venezuelan government for $160–180 million.[2]

Ultimas Noticias was described as a tabloid in 1958 by Time magazine,[10] in 2007 by The New York Times,[11][12] and in 2019 by The Guardian.[8]

BBC Monitoring stated in 2019 that Últimas Noticias has "a predominantly pro-government stance";[13] in the same year, The Guardian characterized the paper as a "pro-Maduro tabloid".[8] In 2007, The New York Times said the "tabloid [was] sympathetic to President Hugo Chavez".[12]

Changes in the newspaper

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Until 1999, the visual format of Últimas Noticias did not follow any particular formula and according to one commentator, the newspaper looked disorganized. But as of October 2000, certain new parameters were laid down in an effort to make the layout simpler and better organized. At the same time the newspaper adopted a more colloquial tone and aimed to be more of a guide to daily life.[14][failed verification]

In mid-2002 the newspaper began printing in colour on every page.[14] Between 2004 and 2006 it launched four regional editions (for different areas of Greater Caracas) in addition to the national one.[14]

In 2013, the British financier Robert Hanson bought Ultimas Noticias for his private company Hanson Family Holdings for a figure reported as US$98 million.[6][7][15] In 2014, he was accused by newspaper staff of turning it into "a Socialist Party mouthpiece", but the editor, Héctor Dávila, replied that his only instructions from Hanson were "to run a balanced and profitable newspaper".[1] Following censorship by the newspapers director during the 2014 Venezuelan protests, Chief Researcher Tamoa Calzadilla along with others resigned.[16] Nathalie Alvaray, the first woman Media VP in the country and leader of all the innovation and convergence projects resigned a week before.[17][18]

In January 2015, Venezuelans responded on social media to the controversial headline, "Maduro's Tour Was a Success", portraying that President Nicolas Maduro's meeting with Saudi Arabia was successful despite other outlets saying otherwise.[19] During the 2017 Venezuelan protests, Últimas Noticias reported that protester Juan Pablo Pernalete was killed with a captive bolt pistol and dismissed the theory that he was killed with a tear gas canister by security forces, causing outrage among readers.[19][20]

Criticism of Venezuelan government

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Últimas Noticias published investigative journalism that placed it at odds with the administration of Hugo Chávez in the August 2011 exposé by César Batiz of Derwick Associates, a firm accused of bribery and overbilling and the target of several lawsuits in the United States.[1][2][3] [4] [5] [6][7] [8].

2024 Venezuelan political crisis

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During the political crisis following the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, Le Monde wrote that Carmela Longo, a journalist at the "pro-government" newspaper said she was fired shortly before she was arrested.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ian Burrell, 'Robert Hanson - his dad was Thatcher's favourite tycoon, but now he's accused of selling out Venezuelan newspaper to socialists' in The Independent online dated 16 November 2014, accessed 11 May 2017
  2. ^ a b Lozano, Daniel (4 June 2013). "Otro avance chavista: se queda con el diario más vendido del país". La Nación. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  3. ^ Minaya, Ezequiel (2014-09-08). "Venezuela's Press Crackdown Stokes Growth of Online Media". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  4. ^ a b "Fired Venezuelan journalist and her son arrested by police: press union". Le Monde. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Venezuelan journalist released after being charged with terrorism, union says". Reuters. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b "His dad was Thatcher's favourite tycoon, but now he's accused of selling out to socialists". The Independent. 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  7. ^ a b "Socialistas venezolanos y magnate de medios londinense, extraños compañeros de negocios" [Venezuelan socialists and London media tycoon, strange business partners]. Reuters. 2014-11-05. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  8. ^ a b c Phillips, Tom (24 March 2019). "Venezuela opposition fears crackdown after Maduro threatens arrests". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d "70 velitas" (in Spanish). TalCualDigital. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  10. ^ "The press: dangerous liberty". Time. 17 February 1958. Retrieved 12 August 2023. La Esfera (The Sphere) and tabloid Ultimas Noticias (Latest News), earned a hazardous reputation as two of the few sheets that proved most staunch in defiance of Pérez Jiménez.
  11. ^ Romero, Simon (27 May 2007). "Chavez's move against critic highlights shift in media". New York Times. p. 1.6 – via ProQuest. ... Ultimas Noticias, the Caracas tabloid with the nation's highest circulation, recently helped sponsor a series of forums on 21st century socialism, Mr. Chavez's catch-all concept for the changes sweeping Venezuela.
  12. ^ a b Romero, Simon (26 August 2007). "Moving clocks ahead, reaching back in time". New York Times. p. WK.3 – via ProQuest. ... Ultimas Noticias, the most widely circulated daily in Caracas. The tabloid, sympathetic to President Hugo Chavez, ...
  13. ^ "BBC Monitoring – Essential Media Insight". BBC Monitoring. 2019. Also taking a predominantly pro-government stance is the daily Ultimas Noticias, which originally belonged to the Cadena Capriles media group but was sold in 2013 to a business group reported to have ties with the government
  14. ^ a b c "Title unknown". TalCualDigital. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  15. ^ "¿Esta es la cara del dueño de Últimas Noticias?" [Is this the face of the owner of Últimas Noticias?]. El Estímulo (in Spanish). 2014-11-08. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  16. ^ "Renuncia Jefa de Investigación de Últimas Noticias por censura". Colegios Nacional de Periodistas. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  17. ^ "In Venezuela, online news helps journalists get their voices back - Committee to Protect Journalists". cpj.org. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  18. ^ "Cadena Capriles". ipysvenezuela.org. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  19. ^ a b Zambrano, Francisco (2017-04-28). "Últimas Noticias o las informaciones que a Maduro le gusta leer". Runrunes (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  20. ^ "«Basura»: La portada de Últimas Noticias sobre Pernalete que generó indignación (+Foto)". El Cooperante. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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