La Segunda

La Segunda
Name	La Segunda
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Berliner
Founded	1931
Founder	Carlos Dávila
Headquarters	Santiago, Chile
Language	Spanish
Circulation	(historical peaks) 100,000+
Political	Conservative (historical)

La Segunda is a Chilean afternoon daily newspaper founded in 1931 in Santiago, Chile by Carlos Dávila. Over decades it has intersected with major Chilean and international events such as the Chilean presidential election, 1970, the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, and the subsequent Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990). La Segunda has been a prominent voice in Chilean print media alongside competitors like El Mercurio (Chile) and La Tercera and has influenced public debate about figures including Salvador Allende, Augusto Pinochet, and Ricardo Lagos.

History

La Segunda was established in the context of the Great Depression and shifting political alliances in Chile; its early years overlapped with administrations of Arturo Alessandri, Pedro Aguirre Cerda, and Gabriel González Videla. During the 1950s and 1960s it reported on events such as the Cuban Revolution and the Cold War, positioning itself within the Chilean press ecosystem that included outlets like El Mercurio (Chile) and La Opinión. In 1973, during the coup that deposed Salvador Allende, La Segunda’s editorial pages and news reporting reflected the polarized media environment which also involved actors like the Christian Democratic Party (Chile) and the Socialist Party of Chile. Under the military regime of Augusto Pinochet, La Segunda navigated censorship, emergency decrees, and interactions with institutions such as the Comité de Defensa de la Democracia and international bodies including Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Ownership and Management

Ownership of La Segunda has been tied to prominent Chilean media groups and figures; it has been associated with the El Mercurio SAP group and families with historical stakes in the press industry like the Angelini family and the Dagro family. Corporate governance has featured executives who moved between newspapers and broadcasting entities such as Televisión Nacional de Chile and conglomerates including Grupo Copesa. Management decisions often reflected pressures from advertising markets involving firms like Codelco and financial institutions such as Banco de Chile, and navigated regulatory frameworks overseen by institutions like the Consejo Nacional de Televisión (Chile) and the Tribunal Constitucional de Chile.

Editorial Line and Political Influence

La Segunda’s editorial line has historically aligned with conservative and center-right positions, often engaging with political actors including the National Party (Chile), the Independent Democratic Union, and later coalitions like the Alianza (Chile political coalition). The paper’s opinion pages and editorial endorsements have intersected with campaigns involving candidates such as Joaquín Lavín, Sebastián Piñera, and Michelle Bachelet. Its framing of labor disputes involving unions like the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores and coverage of social movements such as the 2011–2013 Chilean student protests and the 2019–2020 Chilean protests contributed to public discourse alongside commentary by intellectuals tied to institutions like the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and the University of Chile.

Format, Circulation, and Distribution

Produced in an afternoon Berliner format, La Segunda has adjusted print runs and distribution networks in competition with dailies such as El Mercurio (Chile), Las Últimas Noticias, and La Tercera. Historically peak circulation figures reached six digits during politically charged periods like the Chilean presidential election, 1973 era; later circulation trends responded to the rise of digital platforms including the websites of Radio Cooperativa and online editions of El Mostrador. Distribution relied on vendor networks across districts of Santiago Province and regions such as Valparaíso Region and Biobío Region, using logistical partners similar to national distributors and newsstands tied to municipal regulations like those in Las Condes and Providencia.

Notable Coverage and Journalistic Impact

La Segunda provided early reporting on key incidents including the Tanquetazo coup attempt, the detention and trials of figures like Hector Valenzuela, and investigations related to human rights cases documented by organizations such as Human Rights Watch. It broke stories that influenced legal processes in courts like the Supreme Court of Chile and the Poder Judicial de Chile, and its reporting intersected with international journalism outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and El País (Spain). Columnists and reporters from La Segunda have engaged with controversies over dossiers, leaks, and investigative campaigns similar to those produced by the Investigative Journalism Center and non-profit organizations like the Transparency International Chile chapter.

Controversies and Criticism

La Segunda has faced criticism for perceived bias, collaboration, and editorial positions during contentious periods including the 1973 Chilean coup d'état and the Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990). Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and local advocacy groups including the Agrupación de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos criticized coverage that appeared to minimize abuses associated with agencies like the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA). Academic studies from institutions like the Catholic University of Valparaíso and media researchers at the University of Chile have analyzed its role in agenda-setting, media concentration debates addressed by lawmakers in the Chilean National Congress and regulatory proposals considered by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (Chile).

Cultural and Social Influence

As a longstanding afternoon paper, La Segunda contributed to Chilean cultural life alongside outlets such as Revista VISTO and broadcasters like Canal 13 (Chile), influencing popular perceptions of arts events at venues like the Teatro Municipal de Santiago and film festivals such as the Valdivia International Film Festival. It shaped sports discourse around clubs like Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile, and engaged with cultural figures including Pablo Neruda, Isabel Allende, and Violeta Parra through coverage and reviews. Its presence in newsstands and cafés across neighborhoods such as Bellavista and Lastarria made it part of everyday routines and public conversations that connected readers to national institutions like the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and civic commemorations such as Fiestas Patrias (Chile).

Category:Newspapers published in Chile