Iceland journalists condemn Sýn’s decision to end television news

The Journalists’ Association of Iceland has expressed deep disappointment at Sýn’s decision to discontinue its television news broadcasts after nearly 40 years, mbl.is reports.

In a resolution, the association said Sýn’s television news had been an important part of Iceland’s media landscape for decades and had provided significant competition to Iceland’s National Broadcasting Service.

“The decision weakens not only the media outlet itself but the Icelandic media environment as a whole, and therefore democratic debate,” the resolution said. “This is not merely a change in the form of distribution. The consequence is that fewer news stories will be produced, diversity in news coverage will decline and the public will have fewer ways to obtain news.”

The association said television news played a special role at a time of growing polarisation and rapid changes in the way information is distributed. It said the public needed access to diverse, professionally edited news media, adding that television was often one of the main sources of information during serious events or emergencies.

It also said the decision was a major blow to employees who would lose their jobs. The association and others had warned for years about the vulnerable position of Icelandic media.

“This decision by Sýn’s board is yet another blow to Iceland’s media market,” the resolution said. It called on companies to advertise more in Icelandic media, media owners to recognise their social responsibility, the authorities to take further action and the public to support journalism through subscriptions.