All Panama Newspapers

A Guide to the Vibrant and Diverse Press of Panama

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of Panama, a nation with a dynamic and competitive media landscape that serves as a crucial forum for its public and political life. The press in this Central American hub, publishing almost entirely in Spanish, is characterized by a mix of historic broadsheets, high-circulation popular tabloids, and a rapidly growing digital news sector. While press freedom is constitutionally protected, the media operates in a complex environment where ownership is often linked to powerful business and political interests.

The Pillars of the Press: Broadsheets and Tabloids

Panama’s newspaper market is led by several influential daily publications, each with a distinct identity and target audience.² The scene is largely divided between serious, subscription-based newspapers and popular, sensationalist tabloids sold on the street.

Leading Broadsheets:

• La Prensa: As one of Panama’s most prominent newspapers of record, La Prensa has a strong reputation for its investigative journalism and its historical role in fighting corruption and opposing military dictatorships. It is generally considered a conservative, independent voice in the nation’s media.
• La Estrella de Panamá (The Star of Panama):⁵ Holding the distinguished title of the nation’s oldest newspaper, founded in 1849, La Estrella de Panamá is a historic institution. It provides comprehensive coverage of national and international news and is considered a pillar of Panamanian journalism.
• Panamá América: Part of the Editora Panamá América S.A. (Epasa) group, this daily is a major player in the market and has been associated with the political interests of former president Ricardo Martinelli.

Popular Tabloids:

• El Siglo (The Century): A sister paper to La Estrella de Panamá, El Siglo is a high-circulation daily tabloid known for its accessible style and focus on local news, crime, and sports.
• Crítica: Another popular tabloid from the Epasa group, Crítica is known for its sensationalist coverage, particularly of crime and local events, making it widely read among the general public.
• Mi Diario (My Daily): This tabloid, part of the same parent company as La Prensa, focuses on human-interest stories, entertainment, and community news with a highly visual format.

The Rise of Digital Media

While the traditional print papers remain influential, news consumption in Panama is increasingly shifting online. The digital landscape is led by the powerful websites of the country’s major television broadcasters, such as Telemetro and TVN, which provide up-to-the-minute news. The online portals of the major newspapers, especially La Prensa and La Estrella de Panamá, also command a significant audience. For the large expatriate community, English-language online outlets like Newsroom Panama are a key source of information.

The diverse and competitive nature of the Panamanian press, from its historic broadsheets to its popular tabloids, offers a compelling and multifaceted view of this strategic Central American nation. Explore our collection on w3worldnewspapers.com to connect with the full spectrum of voices from Panama.