Media

Framsókn wants to support diversity and professionalism in the media in Iceland to respond to contemporary challenges in the field of technology and digital media. Public access to diverse domestic media content in Icelandic must be ensured. Strong media are the foundation of democracy and provide governments, institutions, and businesses with necessary oversight. A neutral and strong National Broadcasting Service plays an increasingly important role in times of increased misinformation and fake news. It is important that the diversity of society is reflected in programme presenters and interviewees, along with all other media operations. The new media policy up to 2030 is intended to strengthen the operating environment of the media and improve the working conditions of media professionals.

Media revenue has been significantly challenged as advertising revenues have increasingly gone to international tech giants. Framsókn wants the viability of privately-owned media to be secured for the future with continued operational support, along with them being granted a special status concerning public charges. Support will be provided for the operation of editorial offices in privately-run news and programme media that play a democratic role and publish news, news-related content, and coverage on socially important issues.

Privately-run media in Iceland are roughly divided into two; large media and regional media. Their equality must be ensured in the advertising market compared to foreign tech giants on one hand and the National Broadcasting Service on the other. Framsókn wants media to get an increased share of the financial value created by the digital distribution of news content on international social media and search engines. A 15% international minimum tax will be implemented on multinational companies and international tech giants.

The competitive position of privately-run media against the National Broadcasting Service will be improved by reducing the scope of its advertising market activities. At the same time, it will be ensured that jobs in the creative industries, the production of advertisements, and the right of nationals to information about products and services are protected. Proposals will be worked on that aim to change the nature and scope of advertising sales and/or law changes that entail limitations on the publication of commercial messages. Among other things, efforts will be made to prohibit traditional sales and marketing of RÚV advertisements.

Local media are important for communities across the country as they address issues that matter to the regions and often fall beneath national media. At the same time, they provide oversight in their areas. The National Broadcasting Service should seek ways to strengthen cooperation with local media in rural areas and increase services in regions where there is little or no media presence.

Framsókn wants to strengthen the education of reporters and journalists, increase the number of professionally educated journalists on media editorial offices, and make studies and a career in journalism a realistic and desirable option. An innovation and development fund will be established to support innovation and research in the media, as well as to support dubbing and subtitling of children's content in Icelandic.