Correio dos Açores: An Overview

Basic Information:

• Type: Daily Newspaper
• Format: Berliner
• Ownership: Gráfica Açoreana, Lda.
• Founders: Francisco Luís Tavares & José Bruno Tavares Carreiro
• Publication House: Gráfica Açoreana, Lda.
• Key Personnel:
  • Editor-in-Chief: Santos Narciso
  • Editor: Américo Natalino Viveiros
  • Associate Editor: João Paz
  • Sports Editor: João Patrício
  • Photo Editor: Pedro Monteiro
• Establishment Date: 1 May 1920
• Political Stand: Republican
• Language: Portuguese
• Location: Rua Dr. João Francisco de Sousa, 14, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
• Readership: 4600
• Online Portal: www.correiodosacores.pt

Background & History:

Hailing from Ponta Delgada in the Azores archipelago, the Correio dos Açores stands as a testament to Portuguese journalism. The origins trace back to 1910 with the initiation of the newspaper “República” by Republican enthusiasts in the wake of the First Portuguese Republic. Francisco Luís Tavares, a strong republican, initially led this periodical. Come 1920, Tavares collaborated with the monarchist Dr. José Bruno Tavares Carreiro to birth the Correio dos Açores. The paper maintained a unique editorial essence, shedding light on the stance and challenges faced by new authorities amidst national and global changes.

As Portugal grappled with ideological battles during the First Republic and the First World War, the Correio dos Açores emerged as the primary voice for the Azorean perspective. Notably, it played a crucial role in the Autonomy Campaign of 1924-1928, acting as a hub for a myriad of opinions. The publication was enriched by contributions from Azorean luminaries such as Aristides Moreira da Mota, Montalverne Sequeira, and many others.

In a significant move, the Correio dos Açores team orchestrated the 1924 “Visit of the Intellectuals” to the archipelago. Their efforts further influenced the Autonomy Decree in 1928, proposing a subtle shift of services decentralization. Additionally, the paper reached out to Madeira’s autonomists, garnering responses from Madeiran press.

The newspaper, even under the Estado Novo regime, was an ardent supporter of Azorean unity and autonomy. Their efforts culminated in the inaugural Azorean Congress in 1938, aiming for a unified vision for the islands.

Post the Carnation Revolution, 1975 saw the newspaper’s premises taken over by its workers, which led to a collaborative partnership in operations. By 1976, a consortium, including Américo Natalino Viveiros, acquired the Correio dos Açores, with Viveiros stepping in as the director.