The three lives of Jornal da Aliança

Jornal da Aliança was given three lives but, unfortunately, survived none. The newspaper was published in spurts over three distinct decades, but each time succumbed to doom, leaving behind traces of great intentions and countless pieces of information that have become part of our collective history as a community.

Founded in 1988 to become the voice of the Alliance of Portuguese Clubs and Associations of Ontario (ACAPO), the publication was essentially a great idea that came up against numerous challenges. One such was the constant change of directors at ACAPO, which naturally caused disruptions and lack of continuity. The other was the considerable competition it faced within the community print media landscape each time it attempted to become prominent. Although each attempt proved unsuccessful in the long term, it also proved rewarding in terms of content that captured crucial elements of our presence in Canada, and particularly in the Province of Ontario.

The first edition, published in early 1988, was followed by the inaugural publication of Revista da Semana de Portugal (Portugal Week Magazine), an annual magazine that continues to be released. Jornal da Aliança eventually ceased to be published but returned for a second stint in 1995. However, it soon came to experience another period of hiatus.

After José Eustáquio took the leadership of ACAPO, the organization became increasingly dynamic, growing gradually but considerably. In 2003, on the year the Portuguese community celebrated 50 years of its official presence in Canada, Eustáquio made an effort to further highlight the role of our clubs and associations in the development of our community in Canada. One measure was to offer news about the ACAPO members, and the Alliance itself, by utilizing print media already established. As preparations for the big celebration began to occur, Jornal Team Desportivo began publishing a number of pages called Notícias da Aliança, which became popular among the Portuguese community in the Greater Toronto Area. Given the success of the segment and the growing interest for more similar content, Eustáquio felt that there was enough support to revive the publication, this time called Notícias da Aliança. The newspaper continued to focus on ACAPO’s members, but it also began to publish pieces on many of our pioneers in Canada.

However, the challenges the publication had faced previously proved once again fatal. At that time, the Portuguese community in Toronto was bombarded with a large number of weekly newspapers, a list that included Sol Português, The Voice, Team Desportivo, Família Portuguesa, Milénio and Nove Ilhas among others. Notícias da Aliança, although a crucial alternative because it focused solely on local issues and particularly on our associations, faced multiple obstacles, mainly related to a highly saturated advertising market.  

I was the proud editor of that last attempt and worked hard to make the newspaper an interesting read. I believe that my team was able to accomplish that objective. When I pick up copies of those editions, I marvel at the content we were able to create in collaboration with our community members and associations. On the other side, there was José Eustáquio working hard to make it all possible. Although we were unable to keep it alive, I am honoured to have had the opportunity to bask in that experience, which remains one of the most rewarding in my years of involvement in community print media.

Jornal da Aliança came to life on three separate occasions, and three times it perished. Will it ever see another life?