NORDIC 
MEDIA POLICY

In the first issue of Nordic Media Policy this semester, we cover the ongoing debates in Denmark and Sweden regarding age limits for social media, Norway’s efforts to counter disinformation, proposed amendments to the Finnish Broadcasting Act to align with EMFA regulations, and a new Icelandic report on media and trust. All this – and much more.

Denmark and Sweden consider age limit for social media

New guidelines from the European Commission now make it possible for member states to set a national age limit for the use of social media. Denmark’s Minister for Digitalisation, Caroline Stage (M), has described this as a “breakthrough”. Stage says to Ritzau that a minimum age of 15 could be introduced in Denmark, but emphasises that such a decision would have to be made by the Parliament. In neighbouring Sweden, the government plans to launch an inquiry this autumn into introducing a social media age limit. According to Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD), Sweden needs to protect children more effectively online. However, he told Swedish Radio, the possibility of a statutory age limit must also be weighed against the principle of freedom of expression.

New regulations on grants for Sámi media in Norway

New regulations will replace the current rules for support of Sámi newspapers, allowing digital media to receive subsidies and not only print newspapers, as at present. The proposal aims to make the grant scheme better suited to today’s digital media landscape. A consultation on the draft regulations for subsidies to Sámi media is now open, with the deadline set for 26 August 2025.

Higher distribution prices in Finland

Earlier this summer, the Finnish postal service, Posti, announced plans to increase the cost of basic delivery by 12% in June. The previous price rise occurred in October 2024, when the cost went up by 9%, following an earlier increase of 8% at the beginning of the same year. According to trade representatives interviewed by Suomen Lehdistö, these rapid price hikes are having a negative impact on Finnish news media. The interviewees also raised concerns about whether the new pricing might prompt changes to the current distribution subsidy scheme.

The Swedish government’s proposal for public service

At the end of May, the Swedish government presented its proposal for how the three public service companies should be funded and regulated between 2026 and 2033. Under the proposal, the remit for content would remain broad. The broadcasters would be required to report on their use of text in news services, and a new Public Service Act would introduce technology-neutral regulation. The management of the three public service companies have stated in their responses, to Journalisten (SE), that the proposal would result in significant cutbacks. Parliament is scheduled to decide on the matter on 22 October 2025.

Expanded review of radio and TV distribution in Sweden

In 2024, the Swedish government launched a review tasked with mapping the distribution of radio and television via terrestrial networks and the Internet. In early July, the government issued supplementary terms of reference instructing the reviewer to also consider whether there is a need for changes to the organisation and financing of the terrestrial networks. The review is to present its final report no later than 30 September 2026.

Danish data authority introduces new voluntary guidelines for DR login

The Danish Data Protection Authority has requested that the country’s public service company DR investigate a solution enabling viewers to access the streaming service DRTV content without logging in. If that is not possible, DR must explain why, Ritzau reports.

Traficom is proposed to receive additional funding

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications proposes a permanent increase in the operating budget of the Transport and Communications Agency Traficom to support the implementation of official duties under the EU AI Act, the establishment of an AI testing environment, and the EU Data Act. The proposal allocates 4.6 million euro in 2026 and 3.3 million annually from 2027 onwards for the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, and 1 million per year for the EU Data Act.

Norway strengthens efforts to counter disinformation

The Norwegian government has presented a national strategy aimed at bolstering resilience against disinformation for 2025–2030. The strategy outlines a series of measures intended to enhance public awareness, improve media literacy, and strengthen institutional capacity to detect and counter disinformation. While the initiative was welcomed as conscientious, commentators have noted that it lacks clarity on the political responsibilities involved and does not sufficiently address the role of political actors in shaping public trust. 

Denmark seeks to expand deepfake legislation across Europe

As of this summer, under Denmark’s presidency of the EU, Minister for Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt (M) has stated his commitment to advancing stronger protections against digital impersonation across Europe, encouraging other member states to follow Denmark’s lead. 

Nordic media policy bulletins

Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communication: Amendment to Finnish Broadcasting Act to align with EMFA rules and parliamentary recommendations

Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communication: EMFA to be supplemented with national legislation

Swedish Ministry of Culture: The Swedish Media Agency tasked to evaluate the recently introduced media support 

Nordvision: Marit af Björkesten new head of Finnish Yle

Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality: Kjersti Mo will continue as director of the Norwegian Film Institute

Swedish Ministry of Culture: Åsa Hemingway appointed new director-general of the Swedish Agency for Accessible Media

Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces: The Media Board is accepting applications for support to establish and develop news media until 3 September

NRK: Teletext in Norway to end on 20 August

Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communication: New network licences for mainland Finland and Åland 2025–2033 assigned to Elisa and Ålands Telekommunikation

Journalisten (NO): The Norwegian government allocates additional funds to support media diversity and freedom of expression in Europe and neighbouring regions

New reports and statistics from the Nordics

Nordicom Review: What we know about media, communication, journalism, and democracy in the Nordics

Icelandic Media Commission: New report on Icelandic media and trust

Norwegian Media Authority: Advertising revenues for Norwegian newspapers reached a historic low in 2024

Traficom: Report on implementation impacts of the European Electronic Communications Code in Finland

Roskilde University: Danish media publish less material but produce more content themselves

Norwegian Media Authority: The authority has updated its overview of media operators in Norway

European Audiovisual Observatory: New report examines the governance and funding of public service media

Don't forget our EU newsletter

Did you know that Nordicom has another newsletter about the media policy sector in the EU? It is called European Media Policy.

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

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