Canary Islands Launches Official Media Registry to Reform Public Advertising

The way the Canary Islands government manages official advertising is set to change following the launch of the archipelago’s first official registry of news outlets and information platforms. Announced after a conference held by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Journalists' Association, this new census aims to professionalize how the public sector works with media companies.

Led by the Vice-Ministry of Communication and Media Relations under Jonathan Domínguez, the project is the result of a three-year audit of the islands' media landscape. Starting in 2027, this registry will become the primary tool for government advertising investment. To qualify for public campaigns, media outlets must be listed in the directory, ensuring that taxpayer money supports organizations that meet clear standards of transparency and professional rigor.

This initiative addresses a long-standing call to remove political bias from the way advertising contracts are awarded. By creating a public and verifiable framework, the Canary Islands government is becoming a leader among Spain’s autonomous communities in regulating media relations. Ultimately, the goal is to replace opaque practices with legal certainty, ensuring that public resources are distributed fairly and that the media landscape accurately reflects the diversity of the islands.