El Universo
The first edition of El Universo appeared on the 16th of September 1921 in Guayaquil. Ismael Pérez Pazmiño established the newspaper that year to serve a growing coastal city. The publication continued with only brief interruptions during periods of dictatorship. Its headquarters remain located in Guayaquil today. This founding moment set the stage for decades of local journalism.
Daily sections cover politics, economics, crime, migration, and international news. A sports section called Marcador tracks local athletic events. Special supplements include Sambo for Samborondón residents and Mi Mundo for children on Saturdays. The Negocios supplement appears weekly to discuss economic matters. La Revista offers magazine-style content on Sundays. The organization holds membership in the Asociación Ecuatoriana de Editores de Periódicos and the Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa.
Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa filed a criminal libel complaint against Emilio Palacio in 2010. The column claimed Correa permitted soldiers to fire on a hospital during police protests. A temporary magistrate granted the president US$42 million in damages. The Supreme Court upheld this decision on the 17th of February 2012. Critics described the verdict as a staggering blow to democracy while Correa labeled it an attack on corrupt press power.
Four days after the Supreme Court ruling, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights suspended the judgment. This suspension remained pending further review of the case. International newspapers and human rights groups condemned the initial award heavily. Reporters Without Borders called the legal precedent draconian and grave. The situation drew global attention to the state of Ecuadorian media freedom at that time.
Correa pardoned the four defendants on the 27th of February 2012. He stated he never wanted the trial but sought public knowledge of the truth. Later that year, El Universo received the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for defending press freedom. The citation praised journalists who courageously spoke out despite threats of incarceration. The newspaper continues its operations from Guayaquil with a history spanning over a century.
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Common questions
When did the first edition of El Universo appear in Guayaquil?
The first edition of El Universo appeared on the 16th of September 1921. Ismael Pérez Pazmiño established the newspaper that year to serve a growing coastal city.
What sections does El Universo publish daily and weekly?
Daily sections cover politics, economics, crime, migration, and international news. A sports section called Marcador tracks local athletic events while special supplements include Sambo for Samborondón residents and Mi Mundo for children on Saturdays.
Why did Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa file a criminal libel complaint against Emilio Palacio in 2010?
Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa filed a criminal libel complaint against Emilio Palacio in 2010 because the column claimed Correa permitted soldiers to fire on a hospital during police protests. The Supreme Court upheld this decision on the 17th of February 2012 before granting damages.
How did the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights respond to the El Universo verdict?
Four days after the Supreme Court ruling the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights suspended the judgment pending further review of the case. International newspapers and human rights groups condemned the initial award heavily while Reporters Without Borders called the legal precedent draconian and grave.
When did Correa pardon the four defendants involved in the El Universo trial?
Correa pardoned the four defendants on the 27th of February 2012 stating he never wanted the trial but sought public knowledge of the truth. Later that year El Universo received the Maria Moors Cabot Prize for defending press freedom.