Free Nation (Iceland)

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The Free Nation (Icelandic: Frjáls Þjóð) was a weekly newspaper published in Reykjavík, Iceland from 1952-1967. Its policy was to protest increasing American influences in Icelandic daily life. It was opposed to Icelandic membership of NATO and to American bases on Icelandic soil in peacetime. It protested that American soldiers could wander around Iceland without being monitored, and also protested that American base television programs were visible to the Icelandic general public. It also criticized the United People's Socialist Party (Sameiningarflokkur alþýðu, sósíalistaflokkurinn) for being to loyal to the Kremlin and the Comintern. The newspaper also fought against what it saw as corruption in Icelandic society and possible Icelandic membership of the European Union. In 1967 the newspaper supported Hannibal Valdimarsson, the chairman of the electoral alliance People's Alliance, in his campaign for a seat in Parliament as an independent.

The editors and owners of Free Nation supported The National Preservation Party (Iceland) which was founded in 1953. Amongst the editors of this newspaper was one, Bergur Sigurbjörnsson, who was member of parliament for The National Preservation Party (Iceland) 1953-1956, editor from the beginning in 1952 to 1954 and also in 1967. Two later editors/owners who became members of parliament were Ragnar Arnalds in 1960 and Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson 1964-1967.