In 1972, Mr. Francisco Pinto Balsemão creates Sojornal/Expresso, believing at the time, that even with the state censorship and other difficulties, it was possible to make quality weekly paper.
In 1975, the distribution company VASP was created to distribute the Expresso title, and in 1981 part of its share capital was bought by Sojornal. Today, VASP distributes all the IMPRESA group publications.
In April 1988, the holding Controljornal has been set up to aggregate all the interests of Mr. Francisco Balsemão in the press area.
During 1991, Imprejornal starts its activity, with one the largest newspaper printing machine in the country, permitting it to print most of IMPRESA titles.
Also during 1991, Controljornal opens its capital to outside investors, and at the same time a IMPRESA was founded as the new holding of Balsemão group, and competes for new private TV licenses.
In October 1992, SIC the first private TV channel in Portugal starts to broadcast. Amongst its reference shareholders is TV Globo. SIC was able to establish a close relationship with the Portuguese viewers. The quality, image and independence contributed to the station prestige.