Ulrika Facht<\/strong>, media analyst at Nordicom and responsible for the Swedish data collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Nordic Pattern of Transparency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Across Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, the researchers identify a relatively high degree of transparency compared with the EU average. Public registers, established media companies, and strong traditions of openness make it easier for citizens to trace who owns and controls major news outlets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In Sweden, the assessed risk related to ownership transparency is particularly low. Large, well-known media groups dominate the market, ownership structures are clearly disclosed, and the system of editorial responsibility places legal accountability on editors rather than owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cIn Sweden, newsrooms are meant to be \u2013 and generally are \u2013 independent from direct owner control, and it is the editor-in-chief who is held accountable for what is published. However, this picture can look different across the EU\u201d, says Facht.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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At the same time, the Swedish assessment also points to areas of concern. One challenge is the declining availability of reliable data on media use and audience reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cTransparency could be stronger both among media outlets and the companies that measure audiences. This is particularly true in digital services, but over time transparency has also declined within legacy media\u201d, Facht points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Denmark and Finland follow similar patterns, although with important national distinctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Denmark:\u202fFoundation Ownership and Public Service Dominate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In Denmark, the mapping shows that\u202ffoundation ownership and public service media dominate the news landscape. Sixteen major news outlets were included in the Danish sample, spanning private media, public broadcasters, and even a few news influencers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWhen we look at ownership structures in Denmark, foundation ownership and public ownership dominate the media market\u201d, says Associate Professor Aske Kammer<\/strong> from the Danish team. \u201cAll these ownership structures are clearly listed in the Danish business register (CVR) and are publicly available\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Danish report also examines social media platforms, where many users consume news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cEven when news consumption moves onto platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, the ownership links back to registered media organisations. We also include a few news influencers, but here, too, ownership can be identified through a quick search in the CVR register\u201d, says Senior Lecturer Mads K\u00e6msgaard Eberholst<\/strong>, also from the Danish team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finland<\/strong>: High Concentration and Growing Transparency Gaps<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finland also scores relatively well on transparency, but the media environment is characterised by high and steadily increasing ownership concentration across newspapers, television, radio, and telecommunications, with the five largest newspaper companies now controlling around two thirds of all titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Despite a strong tradition of transparency, some gaps remain. Access to beneficial ownership data is limited for unlisted companies and nominee-registered foreign ownership, and transparency challenges have worsened due to the discontinuation of key datasets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cFinland faces several systemic challenges like ad hoc media policymaking, a lack of stable and direct media support mechanisms, and declining data transparency. These trends pose risks to long\u2011term media pluralism, independent journalism, and informed policymaking\u201d, says Mikko Gr\u00f6nlund<\/strong>, Research Manager at University of Turku and part of the Finnish team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New legislation aligned with the\u202fEuropean Media Freedom Act (EMFA)\u202fwas introduced in 2025, strengthening oversight of media ownership and state advertising. However, many researchers argue that the implementation lacks ambition and fail to address deeper structural risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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EurOMo: A European Tool for Democratic Accountability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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EurOMo is developed by a consortium of researchers from universities and independent research institutes in all EU member states and is coordinated by the University of Salzburg. The 2025 edition builds on pilot studies from 2022 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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All data are openly available via the project platform, allowing users to explore ownership networks, compare countries, and access machine-readable datasets and national reports. As such, EurOMo functions as a shared European infrastructure for identifying risks, supporting accountability and evidence-based media policy aimed at increased diversity and democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"EuroMedia](\"https:\/\/nordmedianetwork.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/skarmavbild-2026-01-23-kl-091421.png\")
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