Is Unitel Politically Biased? Ownership, Funding, and Editorial Policy
Unitel Overview and Political Bias
Unitel is frequently characterized by critics as favoring Bolivia's right-wing opposition and Santa Cruz’s business elite. Supporters of the MAS party allege the network uses biased framing during political crises. Conversely, its defenders describe it as a crucial independent voice against government censorship and state-controlled media narratives.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center Right |
| Estimated number of readers | 5,000,000 |
| Israel support | Neutral / Mainstream |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Medium |
| Target Audience | Mass market |
Unitel History
Established in 1987 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Unitel evolved from a regional station into one of Bolivia's most dominant national networks. It played a pivotal role in private media expansion during the 1990s and became a primary source for news and entertainment throughout the country.
World News Map
Who owns Unitel?
Unitel is owned by the Monasterio family, a prominent business group led by Ernesto Monasterio Nieme. Based in Santa Cruz, the family has diversified interests in banking and agribusiness. The network relies primarily on private advertising revenue and commercial partnerships rather than direct government funding.