Production grant scheme for news and news-related media services in Iceland renewed
The renewed grant scheme’s objective is to support news services and democratic debate, and to strengthen the position of the Icelandic language.
The scheme covers two types of support:
– general subsidies covering part of the operational costs of producing news and current affairs content, and;
– supplementary subsidies for providers offering continuous nationwide news services.
The costs that could be eligible include salaries for editorial staff and payment to contractors creating news and news-related content.
It will run until the 1st of January 2031. The annual budget for the general subsidies is set at ISK 500 million in 2026 and ISK 800 million from 2027 onwards. The supplementary subsidies have an annual budget of ISK 100 million in 2026 and ISK 300 million from 2027 onwards.
The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has assessed the scheme directly under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. Weighing up the positive effects of the aid for the development of the activities and the negative effects in terms of distortions of competition and adverse effects on trade, it has concluded that the scheme is compatible.
For further information, see ESA’s PR.