A newsletter from Nordicom at the University of Gothenburg. Editor: Tobias Lindberg, researcher at Nordicom |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Nordic countries continue to exhibit lower risks than the EU average when it comes to insufficient media ownership transparency. Denmark is advancing reforms regarding a new form of media ombudsman, Norway is reviewing its media subsidy system, Finland has adopted a new framework for the gambling market, Sweden is discussing FM requirements for cars, and Iceland’s public broadcaster, RÚV, has been assessed as compliant with its statutory obligations. All this and more in this year’s first issue of Nordic Media Policy.
|
Agreement reached on Danish media ombudsman Denmark is set to introduce a new form of media ombudsman, according to Journalisten DK. The new ombudsman will mainly monitor alternative media actors, such as influencers, who are currently not covered by the existing media accountability system under the Press Council. In contrast to the original committee proposal, the ombudsman will not have the authority to make rulings or bring criminal cases against traditional media registered with the Press Council. This limitation is part of an agreement reached by the government with several cooperating parties. To ensure independence, the parties have agreed that the media ombudsman will be appointed by a selection body including representatives from the media industry, professional experts, and legal specialists. Another proposed change in the new system is the removal of the fee that media organisations currently must pay to access documents such as judgments and rulings. Norwegian review proposes adjustments to media subsidy Norway’s Media Authority has proposed adjustments to the country’s direct media subsidy scheme. The proposals include changes to production subsidies, which would introduce different minimum requirements for national media, create a new category for smaller national general-interest outlets, and clarify which media should be covered by the scheme for national niche media. The review also proposes a phased discontinuation of digitalisation support for local radio. In addition, it recommends prioritising measures that could stimulate news consumption among young people, including increased funding for innovation and development grants and for research into young people’s media use. The proposals will form part of the basis for forthcoming media policy guidelines from 2027. | Finland reforms its gambling market The Finnish Parliament has approved a gambling reform, Iltalehti reports. Under the new Gambling Act, Finland will move from a monopoly system to a licensing-based model. According to the Finnish Media Association, the reform may lead to new ad revenues for the domestic media. The legislative package partially opens the gambling market to competition. Some forms of gambling will remain under the monopoly of Veikkaus, while others will be opened to a competitive market. The new act will enter into force in July 2027. Proposal for FM requirements in cars in Sweden Sweden should introduce a requirement that all new cars equipped with radio receivers must be able to receive FM broadcasts. This is the view of the governmental Distribution Inquiry, as set out in an interim report. It is also considered necessary to ensure greater prominence for radio and television programmes of public interest that are made available online. A prominence obligation is said to be required in order to achieve public interest objectives. The inquiry, established in 2024, was tasked with mapping how radio and television programmes are distributed via the Internet and terrestrial networks. The final report is due to be completed by 30 September 2026. | Nordic literary exports near 78.5 million euro The export value of Faroese literature totalled 25,100 euro in 2024, according to the new report The value of Nordic literary exports 2024. Approximately two thirds of the revenue came from Faroese fiction, while one third was generated by children’s and young adult literature. Sweden recorded the largest literary export in the Nordic region, with estimated gross revenue from the sale of literary rights in 2024 amounting to 55.6 million euro. All in all, the value of Nordic literature exports almost reached 78.5 million euro. | |
Nordic media policy bulletins | New reports and statistics regarding the Nordics | Don't forget our EU newsletterDid you know that Nordicom has another newsletter about the media policy sector in the EU? It is called European Media Policy. |
Follow Nordicom on social media: |
About the newsletter
The newsletter Nordic Media Policy reports on media policy developments in the Nordic countries and at the Nordic level. It presents new legislative proposals, parliamentary debates, and new media policy decisions and initiatives. The newsletter also draws attention to new reports and studies in the media field from the Nordic countries. Nordic Media Policy is published with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Editor
Tobias Lindberg, researcher at Nordicom
tobias.lindberg@nordicom.gu.se Publisher
Nordicom University of Gothenburg
PO Box 713
SE-405 30
Gothenburg
Sweden
www.nordicom.gu.se
|
|
|
|
