Press support

Press support is a government subsidy available for newspapers in some countries. The support can either be direct, in terms of money to the newspaper, or indirect, such as lowered or eliminated sales tax. The justification for press support is typically to maintain some level of diversity in the media market.

Press support by country

Norway

Press support is a Norwegian state subsidy available for newspapers. The subsidy is twofold; the first part is a direct subsidy of the second- largest, by circulation, newspapers in each city. The other subsidy is that newspaper are subject to no sales tax (as are books).

Direct support

The direct subsidy is managed by the Norwegian Media Authority, and was NOK 303 million in 2006, paid to 138 newspapers. It was introduced in 1965, because of the fear of a massive newspaper death like Sweden and Denmark had seen, mainly the second largest newspapers in each city. Also, at the time, most newspapers were not political neutral, with many papers being controlled by either conservative forces, the labour movement or political parties. Support is given to all newspapers that are do not have the largest circulation in the city of publishing. There are limitations on the newspapers who can receive support, including that the support will cease if they pay a dividend to their owners. Other support is given to media research, follow-up studies, sami newspapers, immigrant publications and distribution support for Finnmark.

The press support has been partially successful, with a number of second-largest newspapers surviving, like Bergensavisen (Bergen), Rogalands Avis (Stavanger) and Dagsavisen (Oslo). Other secondary newspapers have been closed, like Trondheims-Pressen. The largest receivers are often national newspapers, targeting special (often political) sectors, like Klassekampen (Socialist), Nationen (Agrarian) and Vårt Land (Christian). Most of the large, business and tabloid newspapers, like Dagbladet or Dagens Næringsliv, do not receive support, since they pay dividend to their owners.

Papers that receive the most support
×Paper20052003
1 Dagsavisen40 992 57639 851 052
2 Bergensavisen32 256 11527 596 098
3 Vårt Land31 683 02431 238 520
4 Nationen23 094 73123 122 393
5 Klassekampen14 513 04113 068 764
6 Rogalands Avis13 280 81613 096 528

Indirect support

By far the greatest level of support to newspapers arises out of their exemption from sales tax and exceeds NOK 1 billion. This exemption was instituted to foster a variety of perspectives from newspapers; to stimulate public debate and consciousness, democracy, freedom of speech and to enable the media to act as society's watch-dog.

Indirect press support
×PaperDirect
support
Indirect
support
Sum
1 VG0215 000 000215 000 000
2 Aftenposten0126 000 000126 000 000
3 Dagbladet0121 000 000121 000 000
4 Dagens Næringsliv043 000 00043 000 000
5 Dagsavisen29 000 00014 000 00043 000 000
6 Bergens Tidende042 000 00042 000 000
7 Adresseavisen037 000 00037 000 000
8 Bergensavisen20 000 00014 000 00034 000 000
9 Vårt Land18 000 00012 000 00030 000 000
10 Stavanger Aftenblad029 000 00029 000 000
Sum67 000 000653 000 000720 000 000

Sweden

References

    • "Presses til å gjøre kutt" [Forced to make cuts]. Klassekampen (in Norwegian). 2013-09-10.
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