Guatemala is considered as the birthplace of Central American journalism. In November 1729, only seven years after the first newspaper in the New World was published in Mexico city, Gazeta de Goatemala was published in Guatemala city. But while Guatemala's status as the center of political and religious power allowed it early access to printing technology, it also meant that the press was subjected to greater official control. All Guatemalan colonial newspapers were licensed and under the watchful eye of local governors and, by extension, the Spanish crown. The content of the newspapers usually was confined to official announcements, information on religious festivals and other local news or news from Spain, approved by the local government and religious leaders.