Editorial
footprints
of 2014
THE AGE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Despite reduced revenue from print advertising and circulation, priority was given to investigative reporting and
innovation. This wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Both
talent and hard work are required to maintain editorial
quality, and in the age of digital transformation, everyone
and everything must move faster.
On the ever-shorter distance from sources to readers,
there are fewer checkpoints and with this comes an
increased risk of mistakes. A recent report from the
Ethical Journalism Network, however, states that the
Nordic countries – Norway in particular – are at the
forefront of establishing the highest standards of press
ethics in the world.
PITFALLS AND ACCLAIM
Nevertheless, several of Schibsted’s largest media
houses, including Aftonbladet and VG, breached national
codes of press conduct in 2014. At the same time, our
investigative editorial teams received multiple awards
for their agenda setting journalism.
In 2014, Schibsted’s media
houses continued their efforts
to cut editorial and production
costs as they transformed into
more digital operations. It was
also a year of increased reach
and more critical acclaim.
Our editorial developers are recognised worldwide for
their product development and innovation. One significant change is the growth in distribution of news via
social media, and the demand for journalists to interact
with their audience. New data technology can also give
journalists an audience to follow more closely and more
directly.
However, it is very demanding to organise the
newsroom with both real time news and investigative
reporting, using all available publishing platforms and
tools. Many media houses also encourage their staff to
explore experimental ways of storytelling and writing.
Print is not dead yet, and media houses such as Aftenposten continue to invest in product development and
design.
Norway’s leading morning newspaper also has a new
editorial leadership with several new sub-editors. The
newsroom has been reorganised to meet digital needs
and to secure more evident editorial footprints. A new
evaluation process and meeting structure has sharpened
journalistic focus.
4
Bernt Olufsen, President
Schibstedt Editors Forum
THE, (CONTINUED), GROWTH OF DIGITAL
As most Schibsted regional newspapers, Aftenposten
launched a Plus App in 2014 which contains all content from the media house, and Bergens Tidende, (BT),
launched its BT+ App. These two titles also increased
circulation.
In the age of
digital transformation,
everyone and everything must move faster.
For Fædrelandsvennen and Stavanger Aftenblad, (SA),
circulation was flat. In most media houses, digital traffic
is falling for desktop and increasing strongly for mobile.
Digital publishing platforms continued to converge,
and live TV and video streaming became more important elements of editorial content. In November, VG
launched a new linear TV channel, VGTV, with more
than 60 employees. It is a 24/7 operation with news,
entertainment and documentaries. Ratings are still moderate, but there is a huge growth potential in streaming
and live TV coverage on the web.
Several regional newspapers now will co-operate
with VGTV, and Aftenposten has opened two TV studios.
BT distributes popular local TV shows, and web TV will
become a more important part of SA’s offering.
In Sweden, Aftonbladet launched an online TV
morning news programme. The three-hour show has an
average of 260,000 people streaming it daily. Aftonbladet also takes the lead in Schibsted’s digital applications
with 200,000 paying customers for its Plus-service.
THE VALUE OF JOURNALISM
The value of journalism cannot be quantified in figures.
In the past year we have seen ethnical intolerance grow
on a backdrop of increased economic uncertainty. These
are huge challenges for societies, and areas where the
media has an important role to play. In these conditions,
transparency, debate and knowledge become even
more significant parts of editorial profile.
In 2014, Aftenposten focused on the grey economy,
uncovering its connections to criminal networks. In the
newsroom, the political section was merged with the
business section to strengthen news coverage.
We also introduced a new set of guidelines for
investigative reporting. In spite of reduced advertising
revenue from print, all main regional and national media
titles have been able to maintain most of their capacity
in investigative reporting.
SA disclosed a series of violations of the Freedom
of Information Act, in a year when Norway celebrated
the 200th anniversary of its constitution. A team of
investigative reporters revealed that local authorities
across Norway were illegally keeping information on
decision-making confidential.
SA strengthened its investigative capacity in the
newsroom, while downsizing its staff numbers overall.
BT continues to win national and international media
awards. Last year, two BT journalists won the SKUP
Prize for their story about “Janne”, a woman neglected
by the social security system. The same story also won
the Schibsted Journalism Award for storytelling. More
recently, the investigative teams of BT have taken a
leading role in the coverage of big political and judicial
scandals in Norway.
Many media houses in the world of digital transformation look to Aftonbladet and VG when it comes to
innovation and digital product development. The two
Schibsted media houses have an undisputed leading
position in the Scandinavian digital market, and last year
VG won two of the most recognised European Digital
Media Awards. Aftonbladet won the INMA award for
best idea to grow digital audience and engagement.
OMNI, the new darling app for news junkies, reached
450,000 UV per week in Sweden and was awarded Best
Mobile News Service in Europe.
Svenska Dagbladet has totally changed its workflow
in the newsroom, and developers are building a brand
new publishing platform to allow a more seamless
experience in following the various stories. Svenska
Dagbladet has launched campaigns to increase reader
engagement and help people migrate from print to
digital. Data base driven journalism is becoming a more
important part of news coverage.
Unfortunately the security situation for journalists
has not improved in the last year. The acts of terrorism
from IS and related radicalised groups seem to be
targeting journalists and the freedom of expression.
The deadly attack on the newsroom of French cartoon
magazine Charlie Hebdo, and the recent attacks in
Copenhagen, became a sharp reminder of more difficult working conditions for the media. The new threat
level has been met with tightened security routines at
Schibsted media houses.
5
iNDEX
Norwegian media
AFTENPOSTEN 07
AFTENPOSTEN PUBLISHING
16
BERGENS TIDENDE
23
BERGENS TIDENDE LOCALS
34
FÆDRELANDSVENNEN 39
FÆDRELANDSVENNEN LOCALS
48
STAVANGER AFTENBLAD
51
VG
59
E24/DINE PENGER
69
Swedish media
AFTONBLADET 75
SVENSKA DAGBLADET
81
OMNI
91
European media
20 MINUTES
97
20MINUTOS 105