Folha de S.Paulo
Folha de S.Paulo, often shortened to Folha, is a Brazilian daily newspaper based in São Paulo and the flagship publication of Grupo Folha. Founded on 19 February 1921 as *Folha da Noite* by a group of journalists led by Olival Costa and Pedro Cunha, it was initially an evening paper that emphasized shorter, clearer articles and a focus on news over opinion, targeting the daily concerns of São Paulo’s working classes. The venture proved successful, leading the owners to purchase a headquarters and printing press, and in 1925 they launched a second paper, *Folha da Manhã*. That same year, the cartoon character Juca Pato, drawn by Belmonte, debuted as a symbol of the common citizen, offering ironic political and economic criticism. The newspapers criticized the dominant Republican parties and campaigned for social reform, even helping to found the opposition Democratic Party. However, after the 1930 revolution led by Getúlio Vargas, the paper’s premises were destroyed by pro-Vargas supporters, and Costa sold the company to coffee businessman Octaviano Alves de Lima. Under Alves de Lima, the papers defended rural landowners and opposed Vargas, particularly during the 1932 constitutionalist revolution and the Estado Novo dictatorship. When the rival *O Estado de S. Paulo* was muzzled by authorities, *Folha da Manhã* became a leading voice of opposition. In 1945, ownership changed again, with new partners including Clóvis Queiroga, who represented Count Francisco Matarazzo Júnior, and João Nabantino Ramos, who eventually took editorial control. Since 1986, Folha has held the largest circulation among major Brazilian newspapers. Alongside *O Globo*, it is regarded as a newspaper of record in Brazil, and its news website attracts the most visitors among daily newspapers.
- founders
- Olival Costa and Pedro Cunha
- field
- Newspaper publishing
- nationality
- Brazilian
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Folha de S.Paulo originated as an evening newspaper named Folha da Noite, designed to feature shorter, clearer articles that emphasized news reporting over opinion. Its editorial approach was deliberately closer to the everyday concerns of São Paulo city dwellers, especially the working classes. Over its history, the newspaper targeted different audiences, including urban middle classes, rural landowners, and civil society, yet political independence remained a consistent editorial principle. The paper is the flagship of Grupo Folha, a conglomerate that also controls the leading Brazilian internet portal UOL, the polling institute Datafolha, the publishing house Publifolha, the book imprint Três Estrelas, the printing company Plural, and, in a joint venture with the Globo group, the business daily Valor. Since 1986, Folha has held the largest circulation among major Brazilian newspapers; in January 2010, weekday circulation stood at 279,000 copies and Sunday circulation at 329,000. Alongside O Globo, it is regarded as a newspaper of record in Brazil, and its news website attracts the most visitors among daily newspapers in the country.
Reader's Guide
Folha de S.Paulo has gone through several phases and targeted different audiences, including urban middle classes, rural landowners, and civil society, but political independence has always been one of its editorial cornerstones. Under owner Octaviano Alves de Lima in the 1930s, the newspaper defended rural landowners and opposed Getúlio Vargas, taking a leading role in voicing opposition to Vargas' dictatorship after its main rival O Estado de S. Paulo was muzzled. Folha's significance lies in its sustained circulation leadership, its role as a newspaper of record, and its news website with the largest number of visitors among daily newspapers in Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Folha de S.Paulo's story end?
There is no ending because Folha de S.Paulo is still in active daily publication today. Its ongoing story continues as a major force in Brazilian journalism, with its editorial and business operations still evolving under Grupo Folha.
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