eltiempo.com

November 27, 2025

What is eltiempo.com

El Tiempo is a long-established daily newspaper in Colombia. (Wikipedia) Its website, eltiempo.com, is the digital arm of that newspaper. (El Tiempo)

It began its online presence on January 22, 1996 — making it among the first major Colombian media outlets to go digital (just a few days after the launch of the digital edition of The New York Times). (El Tiempo)

From then on, the site evolved into a full-fledged news portal covering a wide array of topics — Colombian national news, regional updates, international news, economy, sports, culture, investigative journalism, opinion pieces, multimedia content (video, audio), and more. (El Tiempo)

Historical background and significance

The print newspaper was founded on January 30, 1911 by Alfonso Villegas Restrepo. (Wikipedia)
Over time, it became Colombia’s most widely read national newspaper. In 2019, the average daily readership was reported at around 1.14 million on weekdays, and close to 1.92 million on Sundays. (Wikipedia)
Historically, it has played a major role in Colombian media and public life — through its coverage, editorial influence, and by chronicling Colombian history for over a century. (El Tiempo)

Because of its legacy, eltiempo.com carries that weight — it’s not just a website but the digital expression of a newsroom with deep roots and a broad national reach.

Digital evolution: from early web to modern news hub

When it went online in 1996, eltiempo.com was entering a very early phase of digital news. (El Tiempo) Over the years it adapted to changing media consumption habits:

It introduced interactive features: comment sections, blogs, multimedia content (audio, video), special multimedia reports. (El Tiempo)
It embraced digital innovation: redesigns for better mobile/responsive access, expanded coverage across topics. (Innovation)
In 2020 the site initiated a digital-subscription model, aligning with global trends in journalism — aiming to sustain high-quality reporting amid shifting media economics. (El Tiempo)

So eltiempo.com is more than just a digital archive — it’s a dynamic, modern news platform trying to balance journalistic tradition with the needs of a digital audience.

What kind of content and coverage the site offers

eltiempo.com doesn’t limit itself to just national news. Its coverage spans:

Colombia: politics, social issues, crime, regional events, local news across major cities and regions. (El Tiempo)
International news: global affairs, coverage of international events, world politics, global economy. (El Tiempo)
Specialized sections: sports, economy/finance, culture, technology, environment, opinion and editorials, investigative reporting. (El Tiempo)
Multimedia content: video reports, podcasts, interactive pieces — adapting to modern consumption habits. (El Tiempo)
Archive access: older articles and prints (dating back decades) are often available in digital form — helpful for historical research, context, or retrospective pieces. (Wikipedia)

Given this breadth, eltiempo.com functions as a comprehensive news and information portal — useful for anyone seeking up-to-date Colombian and global news, background context, and deep reporting.

Role, reputation, and editorial profile

As of 2019, in print form the newspaper remains the highest-circulation in Colombia. (Wikipedia)
Its digital site is considered the most visited Colombian news website in the country. (Wikipedia)
The outlet claims commitment to journalistic standards: fact-checking, multiple-source verification, balanced coverage, giving space to different voices, and producing long-form investigative journalism. (El Tiempo)
Over its century-plus history it survived political pressures, censorship attempts, even closure and re-opening under different regimes — a testament to its resilience and its role documenting Colombian history. (El Tiempo)

Because of that background, many see eltiempo.com — and its print parent — as a reference point for mainstream journalism in Colombia. Not without critiques (as with any major news outlet), but its longevity, reach and resources give it a central place in the Colombian media landscape.

Key takeaways

eltiempo.com is the digital portal of a major Colombian newspaper with roots dating back to 1911.
The website went live on January 22, 1996 — among the pioneers of online journalism in Colombia.
Today it offers a wide range of content: national and international news, sports, economy, culture, multimedia reports, investigative journalism, and archives.
It remains among the most visited news sites in Colombia; its print version has traditionally had the largest circulation nationwide.
The site and its parent newsroom aim to maintain journalistic standards — fact-checking, multi-source reporting, editorial breadth — while adapting to digital-era challenges via multimedia and subscription models.

FAQ about eltiempo.com

Q: Is eltiempo.com a free news site?
A: It’s a mix. Some content is freely accessible, but in recent years the site adopted a digital-subscription model, similar to many major newspapers worldwide. (El Tiempo)

Q: Can I access older newspapers or archived content on eltiempo.com?
A: Yes — the portal includes a digital archive of past news articles (dating back decades), and many past print editions are also digitized. (Wikipedia)

Q: What topics does eltiempo.com cover?
A: A broad range: politics, economy, crime, regional news, culture, sports, international affairs, multimedia reporting, investigative journalism, opinions — basically a full-spectrum general-interest news outlet. (El Tiempo)

Q: Who owns eltiempo.com / the parent newspaper?
A: The publishing company is Casa Editorial El Tiempo (often abbreviated ETCE). Ownership has changed over time; as of the last publicly known major ownership change, it is controlled by business conglomerate led by Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo. (Wikipedia)

Q: Is eltiempo.com credible / mainstream?
A: Yes. It’s widely regarded as a mainstream, major-media outlet in Colombia. It reports across a range of topics, maintains journalistic standards, and has broad reach and influence. That said — as with any big media outlet — readers benefit from comparing multiple sources, especially on controversial or politically sensitive issues.