Press support
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Press support is a Norwegian state subsidy available for newspapers. The subsidy is twofold; the fist part is a direct subsidy of all second largest newspapers in cities, after circulation. The other subsidy is that newspaper are not subject to sales tax (as are not books).
[edit] 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 1969, 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 the pay dividend to their owners. Other support is given to media reserch, 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 (Communist), 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.
| × | Paper | 2005 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dagsavisen | 40 992 576 | 39 851 052 |
| 2 | Bergensavisen | 32 256 115 | 27 596 098 |
| 3 | Vårt Land | 31 683 024 | 31 238 520 |
| 4 | Nationen | 23 094 731 | 23 122 393 |
| 5 | Klassekampen | 14 513 041 | 13 068 764 |
| 6 | Rogalands Avis | 13 280 816 | 13 096 528 |
[edit] Indirect support
The by far greatest support to the newspapers exceeds NOK 1 billion through not charging sales tax on newspapers. This is a general support to encourage and subsidise papers; to stimulate public debate and conciousnes, democracy, freedom of speech and for the media to function as a guard dog for society.
| × | Paper | Direct support |
Indirect support |
Sum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VG | 0 | 215 000 000 | 215 000 000 |
| 2 | Aftenposten | 0 | 126 000 000 | 126 000 000 |
| 3 | Dagbladet | 0 | 121 000 000 | 121 000 000 |
| 4 | Dagens Næringsliv | 0 | 43 000 000 | 43 000 000 |
| 5 | Dagsavisen | 29 000 000 | 14 000 000 | 43 000 000 |
| 6 | Bergens Tidende | 0 | 42 000 000 | 42 000 000 |
| 7 | Adresseavisen | 0 | 37 000 000 | 37 000 000 |
| 8 | Bergensavisen | 20 000 000 | 14 000 000 | 34 000 000 |
| 9 | Vårt Land | 18 000 000 | 12 000 000 | 30 000 000 |
| 10 | Stavanger Aftenblad | 0 | 29 000 000 | 29 000 000 |
| Sum | 67 000 000 | 653 000 000 | 720 000 000 |
