Historical development of Madrid Gazette

Abstract

This paper analyzes the slow and long evolution of the Madrid Gazzete. For its preparation, the Gazette database has been asked, in addition to the cited bibliography. The spelling of the original source have been respected in the literal transcript of the texts.
On April 2, 1697, the Madrid Gazette header appeared for the first time. Like its European contemporaries, the Spanish gazette was born under the protection of the royal power, by granting the royal privilege of printing, acting as a mere newspaper of real and political events, at the service of the Crown's interests. With the course of the 18th Century, the gazettes modified their contents and struc-tures, its impression ceased to be in private hands to become State property, became an official government newspaper and began to include provisions that emanated from the King and the Parliament, even though the publication of the rules was not a condition, in any case, for their legal validity and effec-tiveness. The significant change took place during the 19th Century, when the Madrid Gazette was first defined as a national official bulletin, and when the publication of the rules was necessary for its obligation.