First free newspaper
On July 31, 2012, ''El Vocero'' changed its format, becoming the first free daily circulation newspaper in Puerto Rico. Later on other free daily newspapers were introduced, including the Swedish-owned ''Metro'' newspaper as well as the GFR Media-owned ''Indice''. ''Vocero'' was well received by its readers, and its circulation grew. As soon as ''Vocero'' went free, a newspaper war ensued. First, the '' San Juan Star'', which is distributed by ''Vocero''’s competitors, GFR Media, accused ''Vocero'' of being financed by the government. At the same time, another GFR Media paper, '' Primera Hora'', launched a media campaign squarely directed at ''Vocero'', titled “El Que No Tiene La Voz del Pueblo No Vale Na’”. A couple of months later, however, GFR Media launched its own free paper, ''Indice''. In October 2012, GFR's flagship newspaper, ''El Nuevo Dia'', published an investigation in which it claimed that ''El Vocero'' was financed by the government. At the same time, ''El Vocero'' published its own series of articles demonstrating how the Ferre family had used the government to obtain financing for its own enterprises.Controversial financing by the government
The newspaper has been characterized as propaganda for the New Progressive Party since ''El Vocero'' allegedly received funds from the 2009 to 2013 NPP-controlled central government. According to an investigation by ''El Vocero''s main competitor, the newspaper '' El Nuevo Día'', the company has received more than $24.9 million, even when it had a debt of $21,141,200 in taxes. ''El Vocero''s editor-in-chief responded by stating that neither the newspaper nor its parent company have received government funds through any means, and dismissed ''El Nuevo Días allegations as part of a series of attacks driven by the newspaper's new-found success as a free publication.A new EL VOCERO since 2013
In 2013, a group of businessmen from Puerto Rico acquired the rights to the name of the publication EL VOCERO and took it upon themselves to keep the publication alive. On the first of December of that same year, the newspaper was re-launched with a new editorial philosophy and a new design. The daily newspaper EL VOCERO was originally founded in 1974 and, due to it being part of a foreign investment fund, was managed under a different structure. It is published in San Juan, Monday through Friday, and it is distributed completely free across 4,500 establishments and 100 traffic light intersections in the 78 municipalities. Apart from the printed version being available five days a week, there is a digital daily newspaper published every day, including Saturdays and Sundays. According to Gaither International, a market research firm, and its MBP analysis of 18+ readership, EL VOCERO is the most read newspaper in Puerto Rico, Mondays through Fridays. EL VOCERO of Puerto Rico has maintained its domain in the news industry by being the newspaper with the biggest circulation on the island, with more than 154 thousand printed copies audited by the Certified Audit Circulation (CAC). On Thursdays, the number of copies increases to 215 thousand. In addition to the printed copies, there are 100,000 digital subscribers who receive the newspaper through their email every morning. Since 2013, EL VOCERO and its employees have been managed by Publi-Inversiones Puerto Rico, Inc. Under the direction of experienced managers, EL VOCERO has solidified its honest and responsible editorial policy, and it has strengthened its compromise with the well-being of Puerto Rican families. Through its journalistic investigations that have uncovered improper actions and schemes of fraud, the publication is characterized by its role as an oversight body of the Government and public finances. Its investigation of the “Petroleum Cartel," for example, revealed how members of The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority had been taking advantage of the fuel business and enriching themselves through commissions and bribes for over a decade. The newspaper is staffed with a robust team of journalists experts in politics, law and order, government, economics, sports, entertainment, gastronomy, travel and more, making EL VOCERO a publication with complete and objective coverage of the news on the island. It is available to readers for free through its printed copy and digital replica, its webpage elvocero.com, its mobile app, and its social media pages. Aside from the daily newspaper, the publication also produces three magazines. Zona, which is marketed for men, and Mírame Siempre, which covers social events, fashion, and philanthropy, are sold monthly at a cost of $2.50. Bienestar Total, dedicated to health and lifestyle, is distributed for free on a quarterly basis in medical offices, hospitals, gymnasiums, and in other points of interests. El VOCERO's central offices are located on 1064, Avenida Ponce de León, San Juan, Puerto Rico.References
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