Wednesday, July 9, 2025

History of the newspaper El Nacional of the Dominican Republic

El Nacional is one of the most emblematic and traditional evening newspapers in the Dominican Republic. It has been circulating nationwide since its founding on September 11, 1966, when it was created by the businessman and philanthropist José Luis Corripio Estrada, under the commitment to practice free, critical journalism committed to the best causes of the Dominican people.

Since its inception, El Nacional stood out for its direct style, its focus on social issues, and its constant defense of Universal Human Rights, establishing itself as a firm voice against abuses of power, injustices, and political repression. Its appearance marked a new stage in Dominican journalism, right at a time of transition after the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo.

History of the newspaper El Nacional

During the political period between 1966 and 1978, El Nacional played a key role in the construction of democratic balance in Dominican society. Through vibrant editorials, documented denunciations, and timely analyses, the newspaper erected a wall of containment against violence, forced disappearances, arbitrary imprisonments, and other human rights violations driven during the Cold War by external interests.

The newspaper became a brave platform against the ideological purge directed against left-wing sectors, being one of the few media outlets that bet on the plurality of ideas and social justice, in the midst of an environment of censorship and persecution.

Directors of El Nacional

Throughout its history, El Nacional has been directed by important figures in Dominican journalism, including:

  • Freddy Gatón Arce
  • Rafael Molina Morillo
  • Mario Álvarez Dugan
  • Radhamés V. Gómez Pepín
  • Bolívar Díaz Gómez (current director)

All of them have maintained the founding principles of the media outlet, with a vocation for work, editorial firmness, and journalistic intelligence, which have made it a benchmark of informational reference and professional ethics in the country.

A modern and multiplatform medium

Portada del periódico El Nacional

Nowadays, El Nacional is part of the Grupo de Comunicaciones Corripio, and it is published in both print and digital formats. Its website elnacional.com.do and its social media platforms —such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter— allow its content to reach new generations of readers, with constant updates, breaking news, reports, opinion analysis, and coverage of national and international events.

Over the decades, the newspaper has maintained a vanguard and objective line, redesigning its content without abandoning its essential mission: to serve the truth, defend democracy, and accompany the Dominican people in each stage of its recent history.

Featured Sections of El Nacional

The content of El Nacional is organized into various specialized sections, covering the main interests of Dominican society:

  • Current Affairs
  • Opinion
  • Economy
  • World
  • Preference
  • What's Happening
  • Ortho-Writing
  • Birth Chart
  • Sports

Each section reflects the newspaper's commitment to editorial quality, civic education, and the formation of a critical and informed public opinion.

Sure, here is the technical sheet of the newspaper El Nacional from the Dominican Republic, organized in a clear and professional manner for editorial, institutional, or digital use:

Technical Sheet of the Newspaper El Nacional

  • Name of the media: El Nacional
  • Type: Evening newspaper of national circulation
  • Foundation: September 11, 1966
  • Founder: José Luis Corripio Estrada
  • Owner: Grupo de Comunicaciones Corripio
  • Current Director: Bolívar Díaz Gómez
  • Editions: Print and digital
  • Printed format: Tabloid
  • Price of the printed copy: RD$20
  • Coverage: National and international
  • Language: Spanish
  • Frequency: Daily (except Sundays and national holidays)

Address and Contact


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Other Dominican Newspapers

Listín Diario
Founded in 1889, the Listín Diario is the oldest newspaper in the Dominican Republic and one of the most influential. Throughout its history, it has documented major national and international events, establishing itself as a benchmark of traditional journalism, with sections ranging from politics to culture and technology.

Diario Libre
Since its appearance in 2001, Diario Libre transformed the media landscape with its free and mass distribution model. It is a modern, agile, and multiplatform newspaper, which combines national, international, and entertainment information, being today one of the most consumed in digital format.

Hoy
Owned by Grupo Corripio, the newspaper Hoy is characterized by its editorial depth and its political, economic, and social analysis. With a sober and reflective style, it is a reliable source for readers seeking context, critical opinion, and informational rigor.

El Caribe
Founded in 1948, El Caribe is a traditional media outlet that has known how to evolve towards the digital ecosystem without losing its identity. With a strong presence in Santo Domingo and other regions, it maintains a balanced journalistic line, with a focus on politics, economics, and topics of citizen interest.

El Nuevo Diario
Launched in 1981, El Nuevo Diario has maintained an independent, modern proposal with strong popular roots. Currently, it has positioned itself as one of the most active digital media outlets in the country, with extensive coverage in video, social networks, and live broadcasts of political, social, and entertainment news.

El Día
El Día is a morning newspaper that is part of the Corripio Communications Group. Its direct style, popular focus, and dynamic content have made it an informative option preferred by thousands of readers who seek brief, precise, and well-structured news, both in its printed and digital versions.

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