In 1989 the world seemed to creak. But nothing predicted the crisis of liberal democracies and, with the decline of the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama promised the end of history.
On November 12, the first copy of NOTICIAS arrived at a Buenos Aires newsroom, born with that typing of typewriters that in unison composed a now-extinct music, under a cloud of smoke from authorized cigarettes, while the televisions showed the Berlin Wall falling to pieces. It carried the number 672 as proof of continuity of the magazine La Semana, founded thirteen years earlier by a group of editors led by Jorge Fontevecchia, a journalist in his twenties.
The new title brought revolutionary innovations to the Argentine publishing market: a completely color newsmagazine, printed on illustration paper, but, above all, with a transgressive spirit that would become an identity brand.
That first cover was the first provocation: without a photo or celebrities, a drawing with two cracked letters B alluded to the plan known as “Bunge y Born”, with which the brand new president Menem tried to tame the economy. The CEO of Perfil, Gustavo González, evokes in his book “NEWS under fire” the message that that debut conveyed to its readers: “Don’t buy me. This magazine is not for everyone. Don’t buy me if you think you’re like anyone else. Buy me if you think you’re a different reader who demands a different magazine.”
Throughout its 36 years, NOTICIAS set the agenda and its uncomfortable magnifying glass on power stood out in the media ecosystem. He bothered everyone who was ever a news subject, politicians, businessmen and celebrities with his investigations. Long before the digital age expanded informative feedback, it reflected the national reality: the ludic and somber of Menemism; the “siesta” of the Rúa that ended in chaos; the dark side of Kirchnerism that would belatedly become a television show; Macrista’s failure; the weakness of Alberto Fernández and the anger of Milei. In many stages this magazine was alone against the current. He faced million-dollar lawsuits, withdrawals from public and private advertising guidelines due to pressure from governments. And the irreparable loss of José Luis Cabezas, murdered in 1997 for photographing Alfredo Yabrán.
The present does not spare us crises: of the national economy; from journalism, from the paper industry; but NEWS resists like that botfly that doesn’t plan to leave. With physical and web presence; the incorrect look and its poster covers, precursors of the era of memes.
An honest magazine, faithful to its origins.
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