MIB, or better yet, the Madeira Island Bulletin has, for the past two decades, been a focal point of reference for all those who visit the archipelago. In May of 2003 it celebrated its birthday at the Casino Park Hotel where staff and distinguished guests got together to toast the "25th anniversary of the Island 's oldest surviving tourist paper!"

In its functional aspect, the term 'newspaper' has been characterized as "an institution developed by modern civilization to present the news of the day, to foster commerce and industry by widely circulated advertisements, to lead and inform public opinion, and to furnish that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide" (Chicago Tribune). The newspaper therefore holds a peculiar place in society which is not solely that of a business, a profession, or a public utility, but combines elements of all three.

Principal newspapers of Portugal are O Século (150,000 in 1975), independent republican, and Diário Popular (132,000) of Lisbon . Under the Salazar-Caetano regime the government acted as an official news agency, providing certain material to newspapers for use exactly as it was written. After the regime was overthrown in 1974, many of the restrictions imposed on Portuguese newspapers were lifted.

In 1978, just four years after the 'Revolution of April 25th 1974', the Madeira Island Bulletin was born. Its founder, Dr. Don Glen Sandy, had organized the first real Madeiran tourist publication in the modern sense; it was one of the most creative ever assembled in Madeira at the time. It included a mini-portuguese lesson covering important expressions, interesting comics centred around a poodle named 'Crinkets' followed by an interesting 80-word story, a sports column with handy tips on keeping in shape, a solid core of news ornamented with brightly written trivia, stunts and crusades, and abundant illustration.

The Madeira Island Bulletin took off as a simple black and white 12-page monthly newspaper with a circulation of about 1,000 copies distributed free of charge to hotels, tourist information centres, rent-a-cars, restaurants, regional gardens, airport, and ad-placers from all across the island.

It was not until 1982 that MIB had revealed its true identity through colour; the 12-page black and white newspaper had now become a colourful 16-page, magazine-like publication. However, the quality of its paper was to remain much the same.

In May 1999, NetCriações Lda, an internet advertisement firm, bought the Madeira Island Bulletin and wasted no time in turning it into a true magazine notably distinguished by its clean-glossed paper.

By August 2000, MIB had included, for the very first time, a map of the island which has constantly been upgraded ever since.

With a circulation of 10,000 copies on a bi-monthly basis, the Madeira Island Bulletin has always and will always continue to strive to reach an even wider and better informed public who will be able to enjoy some of its initiatives, which not only entertain but which also provide "fun" with an educational and pedagogical purpose. For this reason, we hope MIB will continue to be a unifying force between this island paradise and all its readers.