Extra funds for journalism in 2016

January 6 2016
The Fritt Ord Foundation invites applications for the programme ‘Quality Journalism in a New Era’. Up to 10 MNOK will be awarded annually in 2016 and 2017.

A list of the projects that have already received funding can be found here.

For quite some time, the Fritt Ord Foundation has had media and journalism as one of its core target areas. In the current demanding situation being experienced by the media and thereby by the general public as a whole, we want to do even more to pave the way for and support critical, meaningful high-quality journalism in several fields. Applications will be processed continuously throughout the year.

Deadlines can be found here.

The six areas covered by the programme are are:

  • Journalism on Norway’s relationship to the EU
  • Journalism on climate issues
  • Critical journalism and facilitation of debates in local communities in Norway
  • Journalism for young media users
  • Investigative journalism in fields that are not sufficiently covered
  • Project support for independent columnists with publication agreements

The projects are to target the general public. Applicants may use any publication platform, and are encouraged to be multi-medial. Any independent, editor-driven publications and publicists with Norwegian media users as their target group may apply. The applicants may be editorial boards or individuals, but all support shall go to named individuals. We are open to new forms of cooperation between several editorial boards/groups of journalists, and freelancers with publication agreements are invited to apply.

We ask that project outlines be as concrete as possible, covering 3 to 5 pages, accompanied by brief attachments containing a timetable, information about other sources of funding, an overall project budget and a list of project team members with five lines of CV information on each. Label the application “New journalism” in the title field. Applicants should use the Fritt Ord Foundation’s digital application form, see www.frittord.no and select “Application centre”.

For help with the application process, contact the Fritt Ord Foundation at post@fritt-ord.no.

News

Mykhailo Tkach, Andrei Aliaksandrau, Arevhat Sahakyan (Factor TV), Nino Bakradze (iFact), and Lola Tagaeva (Verstka).

Free Media Awards for 2026. Press freedom under pressure in wartime: – Silence does not protect democracy

September 29 2026

This year’s winners of the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius received their awards in Toppsalen at the Munch Museum in Oslo on 29 September 2026.
The Belarusian journalist and media manager Andrei Aliaksandrau came straight to Oslo after spending over five years in prison for his work. Aliaksandrau dedicated the award to imprisoned journalists and editors in Belarus and quoted the Liverpool FC anthem: “You’ll never walk alone”.

Mykhailo Tkach heads investigations at Ukrainska Pravda, which uncovers corruption, even in a Ukraine fighting an existential war against Russia.
– I face charges in at least thirteen cases related to my work. I have been threatened. My team has been threatened. And what is our answer? To keep digging. Silence does not protect democracy. Journalism does.

Mykhailo Tkach

Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Belarusian journalists and media to receive five Free Media Awards for 2026

September 3 2026

This year’s prize laureates for the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius are:
The investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach from Ukraine
The investigative media outlet iFact from Georgia
The online media Factor TV from Armenia
The online media Verstka from Russia (in exile)
The journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau from Belarus (imprisoned)*

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

August 30 2026

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute 2026

August 18 2026

The rap duo Karpe has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for giving voice to the experiences of many young people from minority backgrounds. Through the language of rap, they are expanding the space for the expression of identity and belonging.