La Nación: The conservative tribune that shaped Argentina's political and cultural landscape since 1870.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded by former president Bartolomé Mitre, La Nación has served as a cornerstone of Argentine journalism for over 150 years. Once a powerful voice for the nation's landowning elite, this newspaper of record has navigated military coups, shifting political tides, and the digital transition while maintaining its distinct liberal-conservative identity.

Established on January 4, 1870, La Nación was conceived as a platform for doctrine to propagate the liberal ideology of its founder, Bartolomé Mitre. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, it functioned as an influential voice for the Argentine oligarchy, championing republican institutions and the interests of the agricultural sector. Its editorial history is complex; while it advocated for secularization and free education, it also supported the 1930 coup d'état and maintained a consistently critical stance toward Peronism, often labeling constitutional Peronist governments as dictatorships.

The newspaper's influence extended far beyond politics, becoming a vital cultural forum. It provided a space for renowned intellectuals like Victoria Ocampo, Adolfo Bioy Casares, and Ernesto Sabato to share their ideas. In 2019, the Society for News Design recognized its excellence, naming it the World's Best Designed Newspaper. Despite this prestige, the publication faces modern challenges. Its circulation has declined significantly, with sales dropping by an average of 8% annually, reflecting the broader loss of political and economic power among its traditional readership base.

Today, the newspaper operates as part of a larger media group, sharing control of the newsprint manufacturer Papel Prensa with its primary rival, Clarín. Its corporate structure has faced scrutiny, with reports alleging the use of offshore shell companies in tax havens. As it adapts to the digital age, La Nación continues to balance its legacy as a conservative tribune with the demands of a modern, pluralistic media landscape, remaining a central, if contested, pillar of Argentine public life.

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