| Type | Daily newspaper (two days a week 1874–88) (three days a week 1888–95) |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid (2001–present) |
| Owner | Edda Media |
| Editor | Lars Kise |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Political alignment | Liberal (1874–1953) Conservative (1953–?) Independent |
| Headquarters | Skien, Norway |
| Circulation | 27,341[1] |
| Official website | www.varden.no |
Varden is a local newspaper published in Skien, Norway. It was first established with a test issue on 17 December 1874, with Johan Christian Tandberg Castberg as its first editor-in-chief.[2] It has a circulation of 27,341, of whom 25,859 are subscribers.[1] It has been published daily since 1895, and in the tabloid format since 2001[2] Its current editor-in-chief is Lars Kise, who took over from Per Valebrokk in 2008.[3]
Originally, Varden was owned by individual persons. Harald Kristoffersen, its editor-in-chief and owner from 1901, created the limited company AS Varden in 1918. The corporation Orkla Media, later renamed Edda Media, bought the newspaper in 1994,[2] and still has a 100% ownership. Through the publishing company Varden AS, Varden itself has a 100% ownership of the smaller newspapers Kanalen (published in Nome), Kragerø Blad Vestmar (Kragerø) and Telen (Notodden).[1] Interestingly, Varden itself has local offices both in Kragerø and Notodden, as well as in Bamble, Porsgrunn, Kviteseid, Bø and Rjukan.[4]
The leading newspaper in Telemark county for many years, Varden was surpassed by Telemark Arbeiderblad in 1974, only to regain the number one spot in 1988.[2] Telemark Arbeiderblad was later renamed Telemarksavisa, and has a circulation of 22,346.[5]
At the time Varden was established, newspapers in Norway had close ties with political parties. Varden was special in that it changed political allegiance from Liberal to Conservative, in 1953.[2] The ties between political parties and newspapers no longer exist. Today, the newspaper classifies itself as an "independent" newspaper which works to promote a liberal and democratic society with respect for individual rights, social fairness and free enterprise.[2]