Santa Catarina marks 195th anniversary of its press

On 28 July 1831 the first issue of *O Catharinense* was published in Desterro, founded by journalist Jerônimo Francisco Coelho. The newspaper broke the Imperial Court’s monopoly on information and introduced a new space for public debate in Santa Catarina.

Nearly two centuries later, the state commemorates 195 years of journalism, reflecting on the press’s role in shaping the region’s political life, informing citizens and holding power to account. The celebration underscores the enduring importance of free, pluralistic media amid today’s challenges of information overload and disinformation.

The event highlights the evolution from print to radio, television and digital platforms, while reaffirming the core journalistic values of fact‑checking, accountability and public service that continue to guide Santa Catarina’s media landscape.