Founded in 1955, by Eugenio Scalfari (who later went on to create La Repubblica) L’Espresso fast established itself as Italy’s foremost centre-left weekly. Like La Repubblica, L’Espresso is owned by Piedmontese industrialist Carlo De Benedetti, unrelentingly hostile to the politics of Silvio Berlusconi.
Headed by Daniela Hamaui L’Espresso is a modern news magazine, specialized in campaigning against perceived authoritarianism, as well investigating economic and political scandals. Competition with rival weekly [Panorama](http://panorama.it/) is fierce and both magazines sometimes cover the same lead item with the same lead photo. Every fortnight, executives, intellectuals and students pore over Umberto Eco’s column, Bustina di Minerva.
The site features web-only articles on current affairs as well as previews of items to be published in the end of week print edition, which then become available online.