The Press

The press was considered a fundamental tool for disseminating not only news, but ideas. You can find various examples of this here.

The Spanish Civil War radically changed how the press worked, as it did with other aspects of everyday life. New titles were created, while others were confiscated. Hundreds of new publications were released on the Republican side, although many of them were short-lived. And in contrast to the pro-Franco side, they allowed a wide range of ideologies to be presented. The press was seen as essential for maintaining the ideological commitment of the conflict: antifascism.

Books and newspapers... (Circa 1937) by GirónPablo Iglesias Foundation

Books and newspapers at the front

One focus of the Republic's cultural policy was the ability to provide combatants with reading material, which was fundamental in order to continue briefing soldiers during the fighting. It meant they could be informed as well as instructed in day-to-day combat.

Workers!!! Read. Workers Solidarity. Journal of the Revolution (Unknown) by Dibujantes CNT; E.Vicente.Pablo Iglesias Foundation

Solidaridad Obrera newspaper

This newspaper was created by Anselmo Lorenzo, Ricardo Mella, and José Prat on October 19, 1907. Originating in Catalonia, it was a press arm for the anarchist National Labor Confederation (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo). During the civil war, it was the most widely circulated newspaper in Spain.

Read and propagate The Syndicalist. (1937) by CarniceroPablo Iglesias Foundation

El Sindicalista newspaper

A press arm for the Syndicalist Party (Partido Sindicalista), this newspaper was published in the editorial room and offices of former conservative daily La Época from 1936.

Angel Pestaña Nuñez, a previous general secretary of the National Labor Confederation (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo), founded the Syndicalist Party (Partido Sindicalista) in 1934. He was moderately anarchist in nature and supported a traditional labor movement through a party and syndicate. The party was dissolved after Pestaña Nuñez died in 1937.

War on illiteracy... (1937) by F. BrionesPablo Iglesias Foundation

El Magisterio Español newspaper

A professional newspaper published since 1867, El Magisterio Español was handed over to the Spanish Federation of Education Workers (attached to the General Union of Workers) as a press arm.

It was a communication tool for teachers that enabled them to continue their intellectual struggle during the civil war, serving as a link between those in the trenches and those who remained in the rear guard.

Public Education budget... (Circa 1937) by F. BrionesPablo Iglesias Foundation

Mundo Obrero newspaper

Founded in August 1930, the Mundo Obrero newspaper became the main arm of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) in November 1931. During the civil war, it was produced in the offices of the Editorial Católica publishing collective, which was the headquarters of conservative and Catholic daily El Debate.

Information and propaganda service... (Circa 1938) by UnknownPablo Iglesias Foundation

Altavoz del Frente

In August 1936, the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) and its newspaper Mundo Obrero created Altavoz de Frente, a propaganda and agitation institution that was active both at the front and in the rear guard. It published a weekly paper with the same name.

Altavoz del Frente (which translates as Loudspeaker at the Front) was responsible for delivering propaganda to the front line using trucks equipped with big speakers. It also produced radio broadcasts, organized exhibitions, produced films, and even founded an orchestra and theater group based at the War Theater (Teatro de la Guerra) in Madrid.

... for then you will be a good soldier. Read your Fighter's diary (Circa 1938) by UnknownPablo Iglesias Foundation

La Voz del Combatiente newspaper

La Voz del Combatiente was a daily newspaper founded in 1937 by the Central Army Inspectorate General's Propaganda Commission (Comisión de Propaganda de la Inspección General de Ejército del Centro), which was part of the War Commission. It produced newspapers and magazines intended to influence soldiers and indoctrinate all armed forces.

Credits: All media
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Art of the Spanish Civil War
Propaganda posters kept in the archives of the Pablo Iglesias Foundation.
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