Press subsidies
Public subsidies for the press were introduced in Norway in 1969. The main objective of the subsidies is to maintain a heterogeneous newspaper landscape with a primary focus on local competition. Later on, grants to selected publications were introduced, such as political newspapers, newspapers for minorities or special groups etc. The most important subsidy are the production grants, which are awarded in proportion
to the newspapers' circulation and market position. Press subsidies in Norway are administered by the Norwegian Media Authority.
In addition to the direct press subsidies listed here, Norwegian newspapers - both as print and online editions - receive indirect subsidies in the form of exemption from VAT on newspaper sales.
This overview presents total subsidies, as well as different types of support granted over the years.
In addition to the direct press subsidies listed here, Norwegian newspapers - both as print and online editions - receive indirect subsidies in the form of exemption from VAT on newspaper sales.
This overview presents total subsidies, as well as different types of support granted over the years.
Press subsidies 1983 - 2022 (1000 NOK)
Type of support | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications support | - | - | - | 2 422 | 2 575 | 2 775 | 2 775 | 2 930 | 2 930 | 2 938 | |
| Production subsidies | - | - | - | 115 000 | 119 900 | 116 549 | 116 190 | 122 962 | 133 742 | 156 580 | |
| Support for press offices | - | - | - | 2 435 | 2 535 | 2 835 | 3 010 | 3 678 | 4 228 | 4 484 | |
| Applied research and training | - | - | - | 11 000 | 11 272 | 12 370 | 13 050 | 14 195 | 15 095 | 16 510 | |
| Distribution support | - | - | - | 23 733 | 24 000 | 21 400 | 21 400 | 22 592 | 22 592 | 26 428 | |
| Grants to Sami newspapers | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 834 | 2 834 | 2 939 | |
| Grants to specific newspapers | - | - | - | 13 265 | 13 300 | 14 150 | 15 650 | 15 718 | 18 893 | 20 592 | |
| Distribution support Finnmark | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 200 | |
| Total subsidies | - | - | - | 167 855 | 173 582 | 170 079 | 172 075 | 184 909 | 200 314 | 231 671 | |
| Number of newspapers with production subsidies | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 130 | - | - |
Type of support | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications support | 1 281 | 1 400 | 1 453 | 1 469 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Production subsidies | 133 245 | 150 667 | 170 317 | 190 931 | 204 603 | 202 682 | 200 401 | 202 811 | 188 250 | 159 700 | |
| Support for press offices | 4 641 | 4 817 | 5 498 | 6 261 | 9 873 | 9 873 | 10 095 | 10 195 | 2 900 | - | |
| Applied research and training | 15 574 | 16 353 | 18 466 | 18 628 | 18 116 | 17 616 | 15 012 | 12 750 | 13 100 | 12 300 | |
| Distribution support | 14 248 | 14 789 | 15 344 | 15 521 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Grants to Sami newspapers | 3 456 | 3 587 | 3 722 | 3 765 | 3 845 | 5 766 | 6 096 | 7 417 | 8 000 | 8 000 | |
| Grants to specific newspapers | 20 899 | 23 250 | 24 122 | 24 899 | 31 857 | 31 857 | 34 074 | 35 199 | 35 850 | 35 400 | |
| Distribution support Finnmark | 1 242 | 1 289 | 1 377 | 1 352 | 1 380 | 1 380 | 1 411 | 1 439 | 1 450 | 1 500 | |
| Total subsidies | 194 766 | 216 152 | 240 259 | 262 826 | 269 674 | 269 174 | 267 089 | 269 811 | 249 550 | 216 900 | |
| Number of newspapers with production subsidies | 124 | 117 | 115 | 109 | 114 | 120 | 122 | 131 | 130 | 126 |
Type of support | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production subsidies | 164 170 | 180 000 | 234 500 | 232 446 | 246 966 | 244 267 | 251 767 | 251 767 | 264 452 | 264 452 | |
| Applied research and training | 12 574 | 12 674 | 15 269 | 15 269 | 14 769 | 14 608 | 12 300 | 11 100 | 11 577 | 12 086 | |
| Grants to Sami newspapers | 8 000 | 10 000 | 11 000 | 11 236 | 11 619 | 12 969 | 13 369 | 13 877 | 18 877 | 21 627 | |
| Grants to specific newspapers | 35 100 | 35 500 | 33 250 | 30 050 | 30 350 | 20 177 | 9 577 | 1 487 | - | - | |
| Grants to minority newspapers | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 487 | 987 | |
| Distribution support Finnmark | 1 485 | 1 485 | 1 530 | 1 560 | 1 560 | 1 560 | 1 610 | 1 671 | 1 743 | 1 743 | |
| Postage compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | 14 300 | 14 300 | - | - | |
| Total subsidies | 221 329 | 239 659 | 295 549 | 290 561 | 305 264 | 293 581 | 302 923 | 294 202 | 298 136 | 300 895 | |
| Number of newspapers with production subsidies | 129 | 129 | 129 | 127 | 135 | 138 | 138 | 139 | 138 | 138 |
Type of support | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production subsidies | 272 915 | 281 374 | 287 944 | 307 946 | 308 246 | 308 246 | 313 046 | 313 000 | 320 000 | 318 000 | |
| Applied research and training | 12 505 | 12 505 | 12 505 | 9 950 | 9 050 | 10 846 | 11 100 | 11 330 | 11 510 | 11 780 | |
| Grants to Sami newspapers | 22 319 | 23 011 | 23 367 | 24 138 | 24 983 | 25 031 | 27 031 | 27 500 | 28 100 | 33 700 | |
| Grants to minority newspapers | 769 | 793 | 818 | 845 | 875 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Distribution support Finnmark | 1 799 | 1 855 | 1 855 | 1 916 | 1 983 | 2 048 | 2 048 | 2 090 | 2 135 | 2 190 | |
| Innovation support | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 000 | |
| Total subsidies | 310 307 | 319 538 | 326 489 | 344 795 | 345 137 | 346 171 | 353 225 | 352 920 | 361 745 | 375 670 | |
| Number of newspapers with production subsidies | 138 | 140 | 139 | 141 | 147 | 138 | 151 | 157 | 158 | 155 |
Type of support | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production subsidies | 358 100 | 369 559 | 388 700 | |
| Applied research and training | 12 095 | - | - | |
| Media activities | - | 15 625 | 17 945 | |
| Grants to Sami newspapers | 34 630 | 35 738 | 39 155 | |
| Distribution support Finnmark | 2 250 | 2 322 | 2 320 | |
| Innovation support | 20 250 | 20 898 | 20 900 | |
| Total subsidies | 427 325 | 444 142 | 469 020 | |
| Number of newspapers with production subsidies | 152 | 148 | - |
Notes:
In 2021 "Applied reseach and training" changed title to "Media activities". The post Media activities includes several support schemes which have been moved from other posts in the National Budget.
Compensation for postage costs is incorporated in the production subsidies from 2008 onwards.
In 2007-2015 grants to particular newspapers were transferred to and administered by the Norwegian Arts Council. The 2007 sum therefore consists of grants to minority newspapers only. 2016 onward grants to particular newspapers were transferred back to the Media Authority and included in the production subsidy.
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