Mevi110 Introduction to Media Studies and the Norwegian Media System

Helge stbye

Three facts about Newspapers in Norway:

The Norwegian Press: History and Structure

Monday, February 14th 2011

Few countries in Europe have more newspaper titles than Norway Hardly any country in the world have a higher newspaper consumption than Norway Almost all groups in the country read newspapers on a regular basis

Helge stbye

UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN
Dept. of Information Science and Media Studies

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

Re. fact

: The number of newspaper titles in some European countries

Number of National and Local Daily Paid-for Newspapers 2008
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

Re. fact

: Newspaper consumption in some countries

Newspaper consumption (paid-for dailies): Circulation per 1000 adult population
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Germany Spain UK France Italy Sweden Norway Finland Denmark The Neterlands Belgium Austria Estonia

Source: World Press Trends (2009)

Japan Norway Finland Switzerland Austria UK Germany The Netherlands Denmark Estonia France Italy China Portugal Egypt Syria Ethiopia

Source: World Press Trends (2009)

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

Re. fact

: Newspaper reading in sociodemographic groups

in Norway
% Newspaper readers on an average day 2009 (and 1991)
100

This lecture:

Links to the reading list:

Bakke, Liv Mari and Nina Bjrnstad (2006) Norway, in Eva Harrie (ed) Media Trends 2006 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Radio, TV and Internet. Stockholm: Nordicom Bastiansen, Henrik (2008) Media History and the Study of Media Systems, in Media History (14)1: 95-112 Krumsvik, Arne (2006) What Is the Strategic Role of Online Newspapers?, in Nordicom Review 27 (2006)2: pp. 285-297 stbye, Helge (1997) Norway, ch. 12 in Bernt Stubbe stergaard (ed.): The Media in Western Europa. The Euromedia Handbook, London: Sage

75

50

25

0
ed u c. M ed iu m yr s M en W om en 1 62 4 2 54 4 4 56 6 9 -1 5 6 779 H ig h

2009

1991

Lo w

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

Updated and additional information:

See The Norwegian Press-folder at Mevi110s home page at My Space: Updated, factual information can be found at http://medienorge.uib.no/english/ (English pages unavailable at the moment)

Norwegian Newspaper History

A recent publication can be downloaded from: http://www.nordicom.gu.se/common/publ_pdf/NMT09%20001-194.pdf

Se also: http://www.nordicom.gu.se/eng.php?portal=mt

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

Some basic facts about Norwegian History

From 1380 Norway came under Danish rule all national, Norwegian institution ceased to exist in 1537 1537 Lutheran Protestantism introduced 1660 The introduction of absolute Monarchy 1739 Legislation to create a nationwide school system: Almost everyone learn to read. 1760s The first Norwegian newspapers 1814 Danish rule in Norway terminated, and after a short interregnum when Norway declared its independence in November replaced by a more equal union with Sweden. During the interregnum, a liberal (relatively democratic) Constitution was adopted, and this was retained during the union with Sweden. 1905 Full national independence 1940-45 During World War II Norway was occupied by Germany
1455 Gutenberg 1450 1500 1550 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800

16 0 Th 5 fir e ne st pa wspe rs

1650 first daily paper

1763 First newspaper in Norway

1633 First 1645 pape First r In De paper nmark In Sweden

7 165 t s Fir sh ni Da uag lan e g r e pap

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

May, 25th 1763: The first issue of Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler in Oslo (Christiania) 1765: Bergens Adresse-Contoirs Efterretninger, in Bergen 1767: Trondhiems Adresse-Contoirs Efterretninge, in Trondheim From 1780: In Kristiansand From 1810: In the small, rural community of Volda In 1808 Two more papers in Oslo, then a few more papers before 1814 A licence from the King was necessary. Censorship

1814
May, 17th 1814: The Norwegian Constitution was approved by The Constituent Assembly at Eidsvold Clause 100 guaranties the freedom of the press (this clause remained unchanged until 2004)

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

The first Norwegian newspapers (1763-1830)

300
Trondheim 1767-: Adesse-Contoirets Efterretninger; 1819-1839: Trond-hjemske Lverdagsaften Volda 1810-16: Norsk Landboeblad/ 1818: Ugebladet Bergen 1765-: Adesse-Contoirets Efterretninger Kristiansand 1780.88 Chr.sands Ugeblade 1790- : Chr. Adr.C.Eft

Number of newspapers in Norway

(1760 - 1940) The 1860 1920:
1830 1850: The first expansion: More titles, the same kind of readers big expansion: New groups of readers. Party political affiliation of the newspapers

250 200
Oslo 1763-: Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler; Altogether 6 papers in 1830 Drammen 1816-: Drammens Tidende Fredrikstad 1814: Fredrikstad Tidende Skien 1830: Ugeblad for Skien og Omegn

150 100 50

0 1760 1780 1800 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940
1814: The Constituion; union with Sweden 1884: Constitutional crises. The formation of two political parties 1905: Full independence from Sweden

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

The expansion 1860 1920

Reduction in print paper prices More efficient typesetting and printing processes led to cheaper newspapers which in turn broadened readership (farmers, teachers, craftsmen, clerks etc, later also working class people) and changes in the form, content and political orientation of the newspapers. It was cheap to establish a new newspaper New newspapers appeared in cities and towns which already had a newspaper

The expansion 1860 1920: The Party Press

The old newspapers tended to support the government, and ended up as supporters of Hyre (the Conservative party) New newspapers tended to support the opposition and ended as supporters of Venstre (the Liberal party) both these groups of newspapers were usually owned by individuals or families in the local community From the beginning of the 1900s, a third party established newspapers Arbeiderpartiet (the Labour party). These papers were usually owned by local party organizations and trade unions.

The first political parties were formed in 1884: Venstre (left - Liberal) and Hyre (right - Conservative). In order to attract and audience, the newspapers supported one of the parties. The newspapers became partisan

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Helge stbye

Between World War I and II:

A few Oslo based newspapers had a national distribution, but the distribution was slow, and local and regional papers dominated In places with newspapers, there were usually several newspapers, each representing one political party. e.g. Bergen, 1935: 13 newspapers, of which 7 were dailies representing 9 different political parties, in addition to one Christian newspaper, one supporting nynorsk language, and one focusing on the fishing industry In March/April 1940: 274 newspapers in 121 locations

World War II (April 1940 May 1945)

Norway was occupied by Germany and ruled by Germany and the Norwegian Nazi party

All parties except the Nazi Party were prohibited Strong censorship Radio listening became illegal in 1941, and the radio receivers were confiscated A lot of newspapers had to close down

This included almost all Labour party papers More than 50 % of the Liberal newspapers and approximately 45% of the Conservative papers
A lot of handwritten, typed or printed newssheets distributed in Norway by different resistance groups In April 1945: 112 ordinary newspapers in 96 locations

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

The Post War period: Reconstruction

March/April 1940: April 1945: December 1945: December 1952: 274 newspapers 112 newspapers 196 newspapers 227 newspapers in 121 locations in 96 locations in 121 locations in 123 locations

The Circulation Spiral

Etc.
1945-50: Most of the pre war press system was reconstructed: a party political press, with competition on most local markets Newspapers that were not disrupted during the war, got a long-term advantage on the markets in the post war period (audience market, and especially the advertisements market) A concentration of readership and advertisements

More readers

And a similar, but opposite, spiral for the No. 2 papers More advertisements

Better editorial product More economic resources

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Helge stbye

Since the 1950s

Competition on local newspaper markets

Since the 1950s

Competition on local newspaper markets

Preserved from the pre war period:

Close links between newspapers and the political parties

From the 1970s

Formal links between newspapers and political parties are closed (departification rather than depolitisation) Small, non-political newspapers grew up outside cities and towns (offset printing)

Trends in the newspaper structure from the 1950s

More commercial competition on the local markets the largest paper in each market tries to increase its sales outside the political congregation The smaller newspapers in each market ran into difficulties A strong trend towards local monopolisation Weakening of the political propaganda

From the 1980s:

Newspapers become businesses that could be bought and sold. The newspapers become a part of the commercial sector, in addition to (or: rather than) the political sector Newspaper chains and media conglomerates appear for the first time in Norway Towns and cities with more than one newspaper became more and more rare.

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

Censorship and regulation of content 1760 -2009

Until 1814: Licensing of newspapers. Varying degree of censorship and punishment for criticism of the King Since 1814: The 17th of May Constitution: Freedom of printing (no censorship, no licensing), but some areas are exempted 1814 ca 1840: The King ran a shady business with selective postage subsidies to newspapers and direct briberies to editors During World War I: The government proposed legislation that would limit the presss freedom to offend foreign countries and to take up matters of national security. This legislation was rejected by the parliament

Censorship and regulation of content 1760 -2009 cont.

1928: A council with representatives for journalists and editors, was appointed by the Norwegian Press Association in order to decide on good practise in news-papers, 1936: A code of press ethics is adopted (called Vr Varsom-plakaten). The Council is renamed Pressens Faglige Utvalg. This system still exists, and journalists, editors, newspaper owners, radio and television channels etc. are members of the Press Association and are obliged to follow the ethical code. A kind of self control in the media. 1940-1945: World War II: Norway is occupied by Germany. Total suspension of Press Freedom.

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

Censorship and regulation of content 1760 -2009 cont.

(1945-1990: The Cold War) 1948-1950: A proposed defence law would include the possibility for the state to introduce media censorship in case of war or when the country is threatened by war. The clauses about press censorships were stopped following a heated debate. 1948 ca. 1960: Informal agreement among the news media to support the Norwegian (pro NATO) foreign policy. Communists and radical groups within the Labour Party are more or less excluded from participating in the debate on Norwegian foreign policy 1985 : Ownership concentration in the press is regarded as a threat to variety and diversity in the Norwegian press

Todays Norwegian Newspaper Structure

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Helge stbye

Some important Norwegian newspapers VG (Oslo)

Established in 1945 Circulation: 262 000 Daily readership: 952 000 + net: 1.5 mill Owned by Schibsted

Aftenposten (Oslo)
Established in 1860 Two daily editions: The morning edition has a regional (Eastern Norway) and national distribution. The afternoon edition (Called Aften) is only distributed in the Oslo area. Circulation: 243 000 (Aften: 112 000) Daily readership: 695 000 + net: 630 000 Used to support the Conservative Party Owned by Schibsted, part of the Media Norge Group

Dagbladet (Oslo)
Established in 1869 Circulation: 105 000 Used to have links to the Liberal party Daily readership: 0,5 mill + net: 1,0 mill Ownership: Independent

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Helge stbye

Bergensavisen (BA), Bergen

(local newspaper)
Dagens Nringsliv (Oslo)
(Business newspaper) Circulation: 80 000

Established: 1922 Former social democratic paper

Circulation: 25 000 Owned by A-pressen

Vrt Land (Oslo) Klassekampen (Oslo)

(Marxist-Leninist) Circulation: 13 000 (Christian) Circulation: 26 000

Bergens Tidende, Bergen

(regional newspaper) Established: 1869 Former liberal paper

Circulation: 83 000 Owned by Schibsted Media Norge

Dagen Magazinet, Bergen (regional, Christian newspaper)

Established: 1919 Circulation: 10 000

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

The structure of Norwegian Newspapers

No. of papers Popular papers National opinion papers 2 8 7 4 62 142 225

Circulation (% of national total)

Local
weeklies

Popular papers

Adresseavisen, Trondheim (reg. newspaper) Est.: 1767

Stavanger Aftenblad, Stavanger

(reg. newspaper) Est.: 1893 Former Liberal paper

Circ.: 65 000 Owned by Schibsted Media Norge

Fdrelandsvennenr, Kristiansand

National weeklies Regional papers Local dailies Local non-dailies Total:

Based on Hst 2010

Local nondailies

National opnion papers National

weeklies

(reg. newspaper) Est.: 1875 Former Lib. paper

Circ.: 34 000 Owned by Schibsted Media Norge

Former Conservative paper

Circ.: 76 000 Is the hub in a local newspaper group (Polaris)

Local dailies

Regiona l papers

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Helge stbye

National, regional and local newspapers One reason why the number of newspapers in Norway is so high, and also the total circulation, is that all three levels are well developed. The national level is not dominant (partly because of the long distance from Oslo to other parts of the country, partly because of strong local identification) Not until VG started to send newspapers by air to Northern Norway and other regions in the mid 1960s, it is reasonable to say that a national press had emerged in Norway

State subsidies to the press 1935: Newspapers are exempted from Purchase Tax and VAT (which replaced it in 1969) 1960s: Reduction in the number of newspapers Hardest hit: local no. 2 newspapers 1969: The introduction of a system where certain categories of newspapers got direct subsidies from the state Important that the state could not influence the content of the newspapers therefore: strict guidelines and formal criteria for the system

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Helge stbye

State subsidies to the press Todays system:

Several forms of subsidies. The two most important are: Exemption from VAT (Value Added Tax) Almost all other products and services: a tax of 25% (14% for food; 8% for transpor- tation). Newspapers (and books) are exempted (value: 1 2 000 000 000 NOK) Production grants A recent evaluation has concluded that the basic structure of the should be continued

State subsidies to the press Todays system: Production grants

Fulfil certain criteria for being a newspaper and Not paying profits to the owners and

either: Have 3 or more weekly editions and a circulation of more than 2000 or: have at least one weekly edition and a circulation of more than 1000
and

either: a circulation of less than 6 000 or: is a no. 2 newspaper with a circulation between 2000 and 80 000

Helge stbye

Helge stbye

State subsidies to the press Todays system: Production grants In total: The system works for Small newspapers (up to 6 000) No. 2 newspapers (up to 80 000) Some examples (2009):
Bergensavisen (BA): (circulation: 25 178, daily, incl. Sundays) 33,1 mill NOK (19% of total turnover) Bygdanytt: (circulation: 4536 twice weekly) 1,9 mill NOK (15%) Sydvesten: (circulation: 2146, weekly) 410 000 NOK (?%) Bergens Tidende does not receive production grants

State subsidies to the press Todays system: Production grants The system has been successful in order to support a wide selection of national opinion papers The system has been successful in small, local newspaper The system has not been successful in preserving local no. 2 newspapers. Only a handful of towns and cities have local competition

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Helge stbye

Sami newspapers
The Sami population is an indigenous people from Northern Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. 40 000 60 000 live in Norway a concentration in the North, but also all over the country; approx. 10% earn their livelihood from traditional reindeer herding. Sami is Finno-Ugric language (not an Indo-European language). Most Sami people speak Norwegian, but there is strong support for Sami newspapers.

Ownership concentration During the party press era: Each newspaper had its unique set of owners (but with a central organisation for the trade unions and the Labour party as a minority shareholder in the Labour Party newspaper: A-pressen) With a few exceptions, the newspapers did not pay much profit to their shareholders: if they ran into profit, the paper spent the surplus on investments or more journalists. Low stock exchange value. In the early 1980s (the yuppie era): Newspapers and other media firms became popular among investors

o Sagt (5 per week; 2 700) o vvir (5 per week; 1 200)

Newspaper owners:

Newspaper owners:

Schibsted:
VG (100%), Aftenposten (morning + Aften) (100%) Bergens Tidende Stavanger Aftenblad Fdrelandsvennen + 10 small, local papers Polaris: 44% 2009: These four newspaper companies were merged into one company: Media Norge, where Schibsted will own 51% (now: 80%)

A-pressen:
(formed in 1989 by LO (TUC))
Organised all but 2 of the Labour party newspapers Has since then bought several former non-socialist papers Owns 51 local newspapers all over Norway 50% of TV 2 A-pressen is owned by Trade unions Telenor (the old telephone monopoly, today operating The Norwegian foundation Fritt Ord (fridom of speech)

*)

*) Ordered to sell parts of this investment before they establish Media Norge

Schibsted is owned by a Norwegian foundation (26%) and other investors (Norwegian and international banks and other financial investors). 42 percent foreign ownership.

Newspaper owners:

Newspaper owners:

Edda (Mecom):
Orkla, a major Norwegian corporation (former mining company), started purchasing media companies in the early 1980s, and became one of the top three newspaper owners. 2006: Orkla sold all their newspapers to the British multinational media company Mecom (established in 2000 by David Montgomery) The Norwegian division of Mecom is called Edda Edda owns 20 Norwegian newspapers
David Montgomery

Polaris Media:
Adresseavisen in Trondheim prepared to join other regional newspapers in the Media Norge merger, but was left out. Adresseavisen, which already owned a handful of local papers in the Mid Norway region, responded by purchasing a small chain that Schibsted was forced to sell in order to be allowed to create Media Norge. The new company Polaris was established in 2008. In 2009 the group bought 2 papers from Edda Owns 20 (+2) newspapers Owners: Schibsted: Must Invest: Local investors: 44% (36 % are formally owned by SEB) 15% 41%

Why is media ownership important?

It is legitimate for the owners to decide on economic conditions (spending) in the media firms. This influences both media structure and the principle line of content in the individual channels (newspapers) and the appointment of editors in some cases (not legitimate in Norway) the owners make decision about details about the day-to-day content And because the media are important for the society (freedom of speech, democracy, language, culture, etc.)

Newspaper ownership 2009:

No of papers Schibsted Polaris A-pressen Edda Others Total 15 20 49 20 121 225

Newspaper circulation 2009, by owner group

Others 32 % Schibsted 32 %

Edda 10 %

Apressen 17 %

Polaris 9%

Newspaper Consumption Owners In general two motives dominate for the owners: profits (short or long term economic gain propaganda/influence (influence on other peoples world view, attitudes, actions, etc.; both ordinary people and decision makers)
in 1000

The total number of newspapers is stable, or increasing The total circulation of Norwegian newspapers peaked in the mid 1990s

Total Circulation - Norwegian newspapers 1969 - 2009

4000 3000 2000 1000 0

In Norway there has been a swing from propaganda to profit motives since the 1960s

Maximum 1997: 3,2 mill.

Fallen to 2,65 mill. In 2009

1969 1984 1990 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

Newspaper Consumption
A worrying sign for the newspapers I: Fewer young people read newspapers

Newspaper Consumption
A worrying sign for the newspapers II: People tend to read fewer newspapers
Number of newspapers read yesterday 1991 and 2007
1991
3 or more None

100 80 60 40 20 0

P ercent who read newspaper "yesterday" by age, 1991, 1999 and 2009

NB!! NB!

NB!

3 or more

2007
None

Two

One Two

One

915

16-24

25-44

45-66

67-79

1991

1999

2009

But many now read news on the Internet very often from the newspapers

Helge stbye

Newspapers in Norway - In a slow decline, but still an important media

Newspapers reach about the same number of people as television (and more than radio and Internet) on an average day And newspaper advertising make the same amount of money as television advertising
Advertising in Norway
(Jan - Sept 2008)
Cinema, others Outdoor, direct Internet Newspapers

Radio Magazines Televisio