From The Rio Times · Contributing Reporter · · 2m
Colombia Media Landscape Explained
Colombia's media landscape: private giants dominate, state broadcaster cuts news, press freedom at risk.
In brief
Colombia's media landscape: private giants dominate, state broadcaster cuts news, press freedom at risk. Colombia's media is controlled by three private groups, with the state broadcaster ending news programming in August 2026 amid press freedom concerns. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
Key Facts
Colombia has 53 million people, 79% use internet as of 2026. News reaches through TV, radio, newspapers, phones and social platforms.
Who Owns It
Valorem owns Caracol Televisión and El Espectador. Ardila Lülle group owns RCN. Prisa owns Caracol Radio.
Press Freedom
Colombia ranked 102nd of 180 countries in 2026 World Press Freedom Index, up from 115th in 2025. Legal indicator is best at 55th.
Safety
470 attacks on journalists logged in 2025, including one killing. 98 of every 100 crimes against reporters go unpunished.
Public Media
State broadcaster Inravisión changed name in 2026. Government ended news programming in August 2026 for cultural content.
Trust
Only 25% of Colombians trust most news in 2026. 49% sometimes or often avoid news.
Power Index
Colombia ranks 6th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index with 51.9 points (October 2026).
Television Groups
Caracol Televisión and RCN Televisión are Colombia's two major private networks. Caracol belongs to Valorem, RCN to Ardila Lülle group.
Radio Restructuring
RCN consolidated radio news under La FM. Caracol Radio absorbed W Radio with layoffs, led by Prisa.
Newspapers
El Tiempo is owned by Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo since 2012. El Espectador owned by Valorem. Semana owned by Gilinski group since 2020.
Semana Dispute
Semana published unproven allegations about former first lady's circle. President De la Espriella ordered investigation.
State Broadcaster
Inravisión runs Señal Colombia and Canal Institucional TV channels and Radio Nacional de Colombia and Radiónica radio stations.
State Budget
Inravisión's 2024 budget was COP 385.1 billion (US$121 million), mostly from public transfers.
New Manager
Ángela María Mora Soto, a lawyer who ran ANTV from 2015 to 2018, became Inravisión's manager by Decree 1196 of 2026.
News Programming End
Government ended Inravisión's news programming in August 2026, shifting to cultural programming.
Law and Regulators
Article 20 of Colombia's 1991 constitution guarantees free expression and media responsibility.
The essence
Colombia's media is controlled by three private groups, with the state broadcaster ending news programming in August 2026 amid press freedom concerns.
