Extra media support as a result of Covid-19

News
 | 17 April 2020
The Corona pandemic is hitting the Nordic media industry, which is losing billions in advertising revenue. Politicians are now embarking on measures to get the media through the crisis. In Denmark and Sweden, special crisis packages have been launched.

Support measures are being implemented in all Nordic countries to rescue companies threatened by the Covid-19 crisis.

In Denmark and Sweden, the governments have also launched targeted support packages for the media industry. In addition, granted media support is paid in advance in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In Finland an investigation into extra state support for journalism has been launched.

Denmark

In Denmark, the new support will compensate the media for lost advertising revenue during the period 9 March–8 June 2020. The aid package, estimated to comprise DKK 180 million, is aimed at printed and digital news media, periodicals and magazines, and commercial radio. The media is compensated with 60 per cent of lost revenue if the ads dropped by 30–50 per cent, and by 80 per cent if they lost 50–100 per cent in advertising revenue.

In addition, granted production support for printed media is paid out earlier than planned, and requirements for self-produced content for non-commercial local radio and TV stations are reduced.

Read the news from the Ministry of Culture (in Danish):

Sweden

In Sweden, the government proposes a permanent increase of media support by SEK 200 million per year. 150 million of this year's money will be a temporary distribution support for printed newspapers, while the remaining SEK 50 million will double the support for coverage of "white spots", or areas that lack or have weak journalistic coverage.

In addition, newspapers that have been granted press support can receive the money earlier than planned. The government also removes the requirement for 55 per cent self-produced editorial material, which is otherwise required to receive support

The proposal was presented on 3 April and is included in the Government's spring amending budget for 2020, which will be submitted to Parliament on 15 April.

  • Government press release 03.04.2020 (in Swedish): Media support due to the spread of the coronavirus
    (Stöd till medierna med anledning av coronavirusets spridning)

Norway

In Norway, the Norwegian Media Authority accelerates the payment of media support to news media, Sami newspapers and local radio and TV stations. The state budget for 2020 already contained a supplement of NOK 40 million, of which NOK 30 million was earmarked for the smallest local media, a pot from which payments are now being accelerated.

Read more (in Norwegian):

Finland

In Finland, the Finnish Media Federation, Medialiitto, requests temporary support to help the media survive the crisis, preferably in the form of abolished media VAT*. The Union of Journalists in Finland, Journalistiliitto, describes the situation as alarming and calls for support for content production.

On 16 April, the Ministry of Transport and Communications reported having launched an investigation into extra state support for journalism. The report, the results of which will be presented in week 18, will address the need for rapid support, how it will be targeted and on which criteria. Also possible needs for new forms of support will be investigated.

Read more (in Finnish):

Further updates 

(Latest update 11.05.2020)

 

Finland

 

Norway

 

Sverige

  • The Ministry of the Environment 23.04.2020: A solution is being developed so that the newspaper industry will not have to finance the collection of waste paper (Swedish)
  • The Ministry of Culture 08.05.2020: Additional support for the media due to the new coronavirus (Swedish) 

 

Text: Eva Harrie

 

Topic :
Media policy
The Nordic region