Kringvarp Føroyar faces criticism over broadcasting archive accessibility in Faroe Islands

In 1969, people could look back on the moon landing or recall the national football match against Northern Ireland in Belfast in 1991, as reported by the radio.

“Yes, we still aim to make the broadcasting archive as accessible as possible,” says Ivan Niclasen, director of Kringvarp Føroya. “However, it will take some time, and the process will be gradual,” he acknowledges.

Former project leader at Savnsgull, Mass Hoydal, has criticized Kringvarp for the lack of progress in making the broadcasting archive accessible to Faroese citizens, especially since the goal to digitize the archive was set last summer during the national holiday of Ólavsøka.

However, Niclasen firmly denies that there is a lack of will from Kringvarp Føroya to advance this initiative or that work has stalled. “We are continually working to make our archive available to the Faroese public, but we will do so in a way that aligns with the overall digital strategy of the institution,” he explains.

Niclasen anticipates that it will take approximately four to five years before the public sees a significantly increased access to the broadcasting archive compared to what is currently available.