Is El Comercio Trustworthy? Media Bias, Fact-Checking, and Reliability Review
El Comercio Overview and Political Bias
Observers frequently describe El Comercio as maintaining a center-right, pro-business editorial stance. Critics often claim it represents the interests of Peru’s economic elite and has historically opposed leftist movements. Some analysts argue its significant market share creates a media duopoly that potentially limits diverse perspectives in national discourse.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center Right |
| Estimated number of readers | 25,000,000 |
| Israel support | Generally Neutral / Pro-Israel leaning in editorials |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Medium |
| Target Audience | Elite and Mass market |
El Comercio History
Established in 1839 by Manuel Amunátegui and Alejandro Villota, El Comercio is Peru’s oldest newspaper. It has navigated numerous political crises, including a period of government expropriation during the 1970s military dictatorship. Since its restitution, it has solidified its position as the country's primary newspaper of record.
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Who owns El Comercio?
The publication is owned by Empresa Editora El Comercio S.A., primarily controlled by the Miró Quesada family. The conglomerate holds a dominant position in the Peruvian media market, owning multiple major newspapers, television stations, and digital outlets, which has sparked ongoing debates regarding media concentration and pluralism.