The jury praised Stavanger Aftenblad as a complete media house, delivering strong journalism, digital growth, and financial results – in a particularly challenging year for the industry.
“Being named Media House of the Year is an enormous recognition. I want to thank my hardworking and skilled colleagues at every level for the effort and collaboration behind this,” said Editor-in-Chief Kjersti Sortland of Stavanger Aftenblad.
“Enough to bring a tear of joy”
The newspaper has undergone a major turnaround, achieving digital subscription growth and building a strong local identity with national impact. The jury highlighted the newsroom as “cohesive, professionally strong at all levels, and driven by a desire to continuously improve for its users.”
“The jury’s reasoning – that the media house demonstrates surplus energy and determination – is enough to bring a tear of joy. That’s exactly how we want to appear to our readers, customers, and users,” said Sortland.
She also emphasized the importance of those who make journalism possible:
“I feel joy on behalf of our subscribers, customers, users, and everyone who often or even just once in their life has been a source for Stavanger Aftenblad. They help make the regional newspaper a campfire and a safe space for information and discussion.”
In addition to the main prize, Stavanger Aftenblad also received the “Local News Website of the Year” award – a prize Sortland described as an important acknowledgment of News Editor Kristian Kvendseth and the entire breaking news team.
BT’s technological breakthrough
Bergens Tidende (BT) won the Innovation of the Year award for the second consecutive year, this time for its work with sensor journalism – a field BT has developed over time in collaboration with partners from the Media Cluster in Bergen.
“It’s incredibly inspiring and motivating to win the ‘Innovation of the Year’ award. That BT wins this main prize for the second year in a row says something about the innovation power and competence among our staff,” said Editor-in-Chief Trond Olav Skrunes.
Sensor journalism has given BT a unique competitive advantage and played a crucial role in the coverage of the helicopter crash in Sotra. Using proprietary sensors and advanced analysis, BT was able to reconstruct the sequence of the accident and uncover weaknesses in Norway’s rescue preparedness – minute by minute.
Ketil Moland Olsen from the Media Cluster in Bergen (from left) together with BT’s Halvard Alvheim Vegum and Anders Grimsrud Eriksen.
“This is a prize we share with our excellent partner in the Media Cluster. Special thanks go to Ketil Moland Olsen for his vital contribution and commitment to sensor journalism,” said Skrunes.
The project was led by BT’s data journalists Anders Grimsrud Eriksen, Halvard Vegum Alvheim, Philipp Bock, and Lasse Lambrechts, under the leadership of Hanne Louise Åkernes.
A Powerful Proof
Schibsted Media’s CEO, Siv Juvik Tveitnes, expressed her pride and admiration that two regional newsrooms received the top honors this year.
“It’s inspiring to see Stavanger Aftenblad and Bergens Tidende win the two main awards. This is a powerful testament to the strength of regional and local journalism within Schibsted Media – and that investments in quality journalism and technological development are paying off,” said Tveitnes.
“These are newsrooms that set the agenda locally, but also deliver journalism of national importance. It’s a victory both for the media houses and for the readers.”
Winners from Schibsted Media 2025
- Front Page of the Year – Bergens Tidende – Storm Jakob
- Reportage Photo of the Year – Tor Høvik for Bergens Tidende – Woman in the Trunk
- Visual Story of the Year – VG – The Doctor’s Office in Frosta
- Local News Website of the Year – Stavanger Aftenblad
- Niche Website of the Year – E24
- Local Podcast of the Year – Bergens Tidende – Woman in the Trunk
- Current Affairs Podcast of the Year – E24 – The E24 Podcast
- Innovation of the Year – Bergens Tidende – Sensor Journalism
- Media House of the Year – Stavanger Aftenblad
Jury’s Statement – “Media House of the Year”: Stavanger Aftenblad
“The Media House of the Year has navigated an exceptionally news-rich year with impressive steadiness and strength, delivering journalism of very high quality. With a unique ability to closely follow the news agenda and be present where things happen, while also conducting investigative reporting and explaining complex issues, this media house has taken major steps and gained recognition far beyond its own coverage area. With unwavering belief in its new strategy and an ambitious digital investment, it has achieved significant growth in digital subscriptions and circulation.
The ability to strengthen its market position, reach a broad audience across platforms, and maintain solid finances makes it a complete media house. It has a robust business operation, and after an impressive turnaround, it has delivered highly positive results in a challenging year for the media industry. It demonstrates a unique willingness and ability to invest in investigative journalism and innovative storytelling, embracing new formats and technologies to strengthen its position. The newsroom is cohesive, professionally skilled at every level, and driven by a desire to continuously improve for its users. Their local excellence makes them not only the best in Rogaland – they are the best in Norway. The Media House of the Year is Stavanger Aftenblad.”
Jury’s Statement – “Innovation of the Year”: Bergens Tidende
“The Innovation of the Year combines innovative technology with solid journalistic craftsmanship in an impressive way. The project has led the way in developing entirely new methods for collecting, analyzing, and presenting news. Through systematic and targeted efforts, they have developed methodologies and tools that result in deeper and more precise news coverage.
The newsroom has an impressive ability to identify the potential in modern technology, building its own infrastructure, developing internal expertise, and creating a foundation for journalism that can reveal connections and provide insight in entirely new ways. They have transformed a technical opportunity into a new journalistic muscle, improving their own journalism and inspiring the entire media industry. The newsroom displays tremendous innovative power and professional competence, having defined a new concept and set a new standard for Norwegian journalism. The Innovation of the Year is Bergens Tidende (BT) for their groundbreaking work in sensor journalism.”
