Media of Panama

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Panama has been an important media hub, because of its strategic location between North and South America. The largest newspapers in Panama in terms of circulation are American Panama, CriticaLa Prensa, and El Siglo all of which are published in Panama City. Weekly newspapers include the Critica Libre and La Cronica. All of these are published in Spanish, and are also based in Panama City.

The media of Panama has been highly influenced by that of the United States, since the construction of the Panama Canal. Radio broadcasting in Panama began in 1922, and television broadcasting in 1956. Radio and television broadcasts also reached the Panama Canal Zone because it lay within the vicinity of Panama. A famous military broadcast network, the Southern Command Network (SCN), broadcast in Panama until the United States withdrew from the canal in 1999. The SCN remained on the air for hours during the invasion of Panama by U.S troops in 1989. Color television in Panama is provided by the NTSC system.

The media was under strict control during the regime of the dictators that ruled Panama from 1968 to 1989, including Manuel Noriega. The newsletter La Prensa was formed in 1981 to oppose his rule. The media of Panama was very anti-American following Noriega's overthrow, and highly influenced the 1994 presidential election.

Panama's official broadcaster is National Television of Panama, which was founded in 1961. NTP started Panama's first color television service in 1972.

Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Panama, as is the case in most other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

See also

• List of radio stations in Panama
• List of newspapers in Panama
• List of television stations in Panama

Further reading

• Mellander, Gustavo A.; Nelly Maldonado Mellander (1999). Charles Edward Magoon: The Panama Years. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico: Editorial Plaza Mayor. ISBN 1-56328-155-4. OCLC 42970390.
• Mellander, Gustavo A. (1971). The United States in Panamanian Politics: The Intriguing Formative Years. Danville, Ill.: Interstate Publishers. OCLC 138568.

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