“Yet Another Blow”: Iceland’s Journalists Condemn Sýn’s Decision to End Television News

The final Sýn television news bulletin went on air last night, closing a nearly 40-year chapter in Icelandic broadcasting. Images showed employees embracing as the last program was transmitted.

The board of the Icelandic Journalists’ Union said it was deeply disappointed by Sýn’s decision. In a resolution, it described the broadcaster’s television news service as an important part of Iceland’s media landscape and a meaningful competitor to RÚV, the national broadcaster.

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The decision weakens not only the media outlet itself but the Icelandic media environment as a whole, and therefore democratic debate. 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 union argued that the decision would affect more than Sýn itself. “The decision weakens not only the media outlet itself but the Icelandic media environment as a whole, and therefore democratic debate,” the resolution said. “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.”

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Television news has a special role. In times of increasing polarization and rapid changes in information delivery, it is important that the public has access to diverse, edited news media that operate according to professional standards.

It said television news had a special role during an era of growing polarization and rapid changes in how people receive information. During serious events or emergencies, television often becomes one of the public’s main sources of information, the union said, adding that several strong news organizations need the staff, capacity and experience to deliver information quickly and professionally.

The closure will also be a major blow to employees who lose their jobs. The union said it and others had warned for years about the vulnerability of Icelandic media. “This decision by Sýn’s board is yet another blow to the Icelandic media market,” it said. The resolution called for companies to advertise more in Icelandic media, media owners to recognize their social responsibility, the government to take further action, and the public to support journalism through subscriptions.

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This decision by Sýn’s board is yet another blow to the Icelandic media market.