Varden (newspaper)

Varden
Type Daily newspaper
(two days a week 1874–88)
(three days a week 1888–95)
Format Tabloid (2001–present)
Owner(s) Edda Media
Editor Lars Kise
Founded 1874
Political alignment Liberal (1874–1953)
Conservative (1953–?)
Independent
Headquarters Skien, Norway
Circulation 27,341[1]
Website www.varden.no

Varden is a local newspaper published in Skien, Norway.

History and profile

The newspaper was first established with a test issue on 17 December 1874, with Johan Christian Tandberg Castberg as its first editor-in-chief.[2] It has been published daily since 1895, and in the tabloid format since 2001[2] Its current editor-in-chief is Lars Kise, who took over from Per Valebrokk in 2008.[3]

Originally, Varden was owned by individual persons. Harald Kristoffersen, its editor-in-chief and owner from 1901, created the limited company AS Varden in 1918. The corporation Orkla Media, later renamed Edda Media, bought the newspaper in 1994,[2] and still has a 100% ownership. Through the publishing company Varden AS, Varden itself has a 100% ownership of the smaller newspapers Kanalen (published in Nome), Kragerø Blad Vestmar (Kragerø) and Telen (Notodden).[1] Varden itself has local offices both in Kragerø and Notodden, as well as in Bamble, Porsgrunn, Kviteseid, Bø and Rjukan.[4]

The leading newspaper in Telemark county for many years, Varden was surpassed by Telemark Arbeiderblad in 1974, only to regain the number one spot in 1988.[2] Telemark Arbeiderblad was later renamed Telemarksavisa, and had a circulation of 22,346.[5]

At the time Varden was established, newspapers in Norway had close ties with political parties. Varden was special in that it changed political allegiance from Liberal to Conservative, in 1953.[2] The ties between political parties and newspapers no longer exist. Today, the newspaper classifies itself as an "independent" newspaper which works to promote a liberal and democratic society with respect for individual rights, social fairness and free enterprise.[2]

Varden had a circulation of 27,341 and 25,859 subscribers.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Varden" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Media Registry. Archived from the original on March 26, 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Brief history of Varden". Varden (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 10 March 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  3. ↑ Erik Enger (8 January 2008). "Lars Kise ny Varden-redaktør". Porsgrunns Dagblad (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  4. ↑ "Varden – avis". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  5. ↑ "Telemarksavisa" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Media Registry. Archived from the original on March 26, 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
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