Chile’s national and local terrestrial TV channels operate alongside extensive cable TV networks, which carry many US and international stations. Radio is an important source of news and information; there are hundreds of stations, most of them commercial. The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the media, and this is generally respected by the authorities. The media maintain their independence, criticise the government and cover sensitive issues. Chile ranked 33rd out of 178 countries in media rights group Reporters Without Borders’ 2010 world press freedom index. There are 8.4 million internet users, Internetworldstats noted in 2010. (courtesy of BBC News)

The press/online 

• El Mercurio – conservative daily
• La Tercera – daily
• La Nacion – government-owned daily
• La Segunda – conservative evening daily
• Diario Financiero – business daily
• Santiago Times – English-language
• Terra – portal, news

Television

• National Television of Chile – state-owned but not under direct government control
• TV Universidad Catolica de Chile (Canal 13) – owned by Catholic university
• Chilevision – private
• Megavision – private
• Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso (UCV) – owned by Catholic university
• Red TV – private

Radio

• Radio Cooperativa – news-based, national, private network
• Pudahuel FM – private
• Bio Bio La Radio – private network
• El Conquistador FM – private network
• Radio Horizonte – music-based, private network