Novel Methodological Approach Combines Data Donation and Surveys
Nordicom has recently published, in collaboration with DATALAB – Center for Digital Social Research, at Aarhus University, an in-depth reporting of a novel methodological approach combining data donation and surveys. The publication demonstrates how data donation can be scaled to national population level to understand trends in digital media usage and potential challenges for digital democracies. Kristin Clay, manuscript editor at Nordicom, spoke with co-author Anja Bechmann about the study’s main findings and their broader relevance.
Study: Climate Topics Receive Limited Attention in Nordic Journalism Education
There are differing views on whether climate change should be treated as a distinct field within journalism or simply as one topic among many. These perspectives are reflected in journalism education across the Nordic countries, according to new research.
Amid US Political Tensions, International Scientists Rethink Transatlantic Conferences –Where Do Nordic Researchers Stand?
The Trump administration’s attacks on science and education drew strong criticism from scientists around the world, including in the Nordic countries. Cuts to funding, threats to academic freedom, and ideological interference, along with denied entry to scholars, have raised alarm. With the ICA Conference scheduled for June in Denver, many international media scholars are now reconsidering whether to attend. Within the Nordic community, the dilemma also persists: whether to take part, and how best to engage with the developments unfolding in the United States.
Your Work, Their Words: How Others See Us (Part 2)
Innovative, methodologically well-structured, and open to diverse academic traditions – these are just some of the qualities that international scholars value and appreciate about Nordic media and communication researchers. In the second article in our series "Your Work, Their Words: How Others See Us", we spotlight more voices from international scholars and their reflections on the contributions of Nordic researchers. Here’s what they had to say.
Greenland is Vulnerable to Disinformation
Greenland’s journalistic media are few and small, while social media are important, writes Signe Ravn-Højgaard, director of the Digital Infrastructure Think Tank, which co-published a report on the topic.
Your Work, Their Words: How Others See Us
Though modest in size, the Nordic countries play a significant role in global media and communication research. The field benefits greatly from your contributions, which extend far beyond national and regional boundaries. Yet amid the pressures of proposals, publications, and conferences, there is little time – or perhaps even interest – to reflect on the broader impact of this work. To gain perspective, we asked your international colleagues how they view the contributions of Nordic researchers. Here is the first glimpse into what they had to say.
Influencers: A Political Force for Engagement?
In recent years, the role of social media influencers has extended beyond brand endorsements and lifestyle content, entering the realm of political discourse. While much of the conversation around influencers and politics focuses on concerns such as misinformation and polarisation, new research highlights the potential of influencers to positively impact political engagement.
The Swedish Media Landscape 2025: Key Insights for Nordic Media Researchers
Nordicom has released the sixteenth edition of MedieSverige [MediaSweden], a comprehensive report on Sweden’s media landscape. The report covers policy shifts, digital trends, and industry developments, but its insights also extend beyond Sweden’s borders.
New Article Provides Matrix for Studying Journalistic Value Creation
Journalism must meet different interests – social, economic, profession-based, and audience-based. Norwegian media researcher Ragnhild Kristine Olsen has created a value matrix for studying journalistic value creation and editorial choices in an increasingly complex media landscape where commercial incentives and social mission often conflict, and professional and audience needs are at times divided.
How a Nordicom Newsletter is Created – A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Media policy is constantly evolving, and staying up to date with new regulations and changes is not an easy task. In this article, we take you behind the scenes of the Nordic Media Policy newsletter, offering a look at how the key topics are being identified and prioritised.
Jill Walker Rettberg, Annette Markham and Kim Schrøder to Take the Stage as Keynote Speakers at NordMedia25
It is with great pleasure that we announce Jill Walker Rettberg, Annette Markham and Kim Christian Schrøder as the keynote speakers for the upcoming NordMedia25 conference in Odense! - We are beyond excited to have this outstanding trio delivering the keynotes, say Susana Tosca and Lene Heiselberg, co-chairs of the conference.
New TWG Brings Minority Media and Language Researchers Together
Media has long played a crucial role in preserving and revitalising minority languages. But as national policies, digitalisation, and economic forces increasingly tilt in favour of majority languages, the space for linguistic diversity is narrowing. At NordMedia25, the newly formed Temporary Working Group Media and Linguistic Minorities will make its debut, exploring the relevance of media for linguistic vitality, among other topics.
Feeling Stressed About Your Smartphone Use? A New Study Finds You're Not Alone
A new research article explores how young adults in Sweden perceive their own and others’ smartphone use. Published by Nordicom, the study reveals that many young people, particularly women, experience stress and anxiety related to their use of smartphones.
Interested in Innovation Pedagogy in Media Education? The Latest Edition of Norsk Medietidsskrift Offers New Perspectives
Norsk Medietidsskrift has released a volume dedicated to innovation pedagogy. The special issue aims to normalize exploring new technology in media education, strengthening students' adaptability to a dynamic professional landscape.
NordMedia25's New TWG Takes on the Hidden Costs of Digital Technologies
“While we know a single-use plastic cup is harmful to the planet, fewer realise the environmental toll of five hours of Netflix”, observes Martina Skrubbeltrang Mahnke, one of the co-chairs of the newly formed TWG “Digital Technologies, Materiality, and the Environment”. Set to debut at the NordMedia25 conference in Odense next year, the group will explore the hidden costs of digital technologies – rising energy consumption, dwindling natural resources, and mounting e-waste – while addressing the pressing issue of social accountability in an era of rapid technological progress.
NordMedia 25: Call for Submissions
NordMedia 2025 invites submissions of papers, panels, and workshops engaging with the conference theme, 'Imagining Livable Futures'. While we encourage participants to address the theme thoughtfully, creative and interpretive approaches are welcome. The conference is set to take place on 13–15 August 2025 in Odense. University of Southern Denmark is the host institution.
Innovating Under Pressure in Mittmedia’s Digital Transformation
The transformation of Mittmedia, a regional media group in Sweden, is a case study in balancing innovation with an ever-changing media landscape. How does a traditional local newspaper company manage digitalisation while remaining relevant to its communities under difficult economic conditions?
Joining the Exodus?
In the wake of the US election and Elon Musk’s ties to the Trump campaign, prominent media outlets and voices are retreating from X, seeking refuge on platforms like Bluesky. For researchers, too, the question persists: Should they lurk, engage, or leave? Bengt Johansson from the University of Gothenburg shares his perspective on navigating a platform that’s both polarized and still central to public discourse.
The Power of Transparency: Insights from Norway’s Public Health Authorities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Transparency played a central role in the communication strategies of the Norwegian public health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a newly published book suggests. “We were lucky to be able to conduct observation from within the Norwegian Institute of Public Health as the pandemic unfolded”, says one of the authors.
Field Notes: Two Nordic Conferences Shed Light on in Preserving Memories of the Past and Fostering Hope for the Present
Researcher Mercedes de Luis Andrés visited conferences in Sweden and Norway as part of her ongoing research of book clubs as a component of journalism culture. Both meetings have enriched the interplay between memory and journalism in influencing our perception of both nearby and faraway realities. These insights prompt further reflection on resilience and empathy within an increasingly complex media landscape.