(), known from its founding in 1974 until 1983 as  (), is an Italian-language daily newspaper published in Milan. Alongside , , and , it is one of the main national newspapers in Italy.

History and profile 

The newspaper was founded in 1974 by the journalist Indro Montanelli, together with the colleagues Enzo Bettiza, Ferenc Fejtő, Raymond Aron, and others, after some disagreements with the new pro-left-wing editorial line adopted by the newspaper , where Montanelli had been one of the most important contributors. Montanelli left  in 1973. The newspaper was first published on 25 June 1974 as , with Montanelli as editor and member of the publishing company board of directors, which included an editorial office composed of 59 journalists. The paper holds conservative and right-wing stances. The paper's headquarters is in Milan.

In 1977, Montanelli, who was in financial difficulties, accepted an offer by Silvio Berlusconi, who became the new owner. In 1983, the paper was renamed as . When Berlusconi entered politics in December 1993, Montanelli left fearing for his own independence, and went on to found the short-lived daily newspaper La Voce. In 1992, Berlusconi left the role of the owner of  to his brother, Paolo Berlusconi. Vittorio Feltri replaced Montanelli as editor. , the publisher of the newspaper, Società Europea di Edizioni, was owned by Paolo Berlusconi (58.3%) and Arnoldo Mondadori Editore (41.7% directly and indirectly). Until May 2005, the paper was published in broadsheet format, when it switched to tabloid format. In May 2005,  also started its online version. In 2007, the monthly business magazine Espansione became a supplement of the paper. As of 2016, Società Europea di Edizioni was still partially owned by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore directly for 36.90%, which is a listed company that majority owned by Fininvest. It was reported that by , the owner of several sports newspaper of Italy, had interested to subscribe the capital increase of Società Europea di Edizioni.

Circulation 
In 1997,  was the seventh best-selling Italian newspaper, with a circulation of 218,741 copies. The paper had a circulation of 235,000 copies in 2000. The circulation of the paper was 228,198 copies in 2001, and it was 219,363 copies in 2002. The circulation of the paper was 216,000 copies in 2003, and 208,407 copies in 2004. In 2008, the paper had an average circulation of 192,667 copies. The circulation of the paper was 184,882 copies in 2009 and 183,923 copies in 2010. In 2012,  sold 79,125,210 copies. By 2015, the circulation of the paper was about 68,000 copies.

il Giornale della Libertà 
 was a free weekly political, headed by Michela Vittoria Brambilla, and attached to . It was severely criticized by its editorial staff, who later went on strike, which was the second time after the departure of Montanelli. The last issue was published in May 2008.

Editors 
 Indro Montanelli (1974–1994)
 Vittorio Feltri (1994–1997)
 Mario Cervi (1997–2000)
 Maurizio Belpietro (2000–2007)
 Mario Giordano (2007–2009)
 Vittorio Feltri (2009–2010)
 Alessandro Sallusti (2010–2021)
 Augusto Minzolini (since 2021)

See also 
 List of newspapers in Italy
 Il Giornale, namesake American coffeeshop and predecessor to Starbucks

References

External links 
 Official website 

1974 establishments in Italy
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore
Berlusconi family
Conservatism in Italy
Daily newspapers published in Italy
Italian-language newspapers
Newspapers established in 1974
Newspapers published in Milan