The Power of Journalism is Schibsted Media’s annual conference, which this year gathered 300 employees from Sweden and Norway. At the award dinner in the evening, The Power of Journalism Awards were presented, highlighting the best journalistic work within Schibsted across four categories: Best Scoop, Best Innovation, Best Storytelling, and Best Collaboration.
“It is incredible to lead an organisation like Schibsted Media, which through independent, investigative journalism contributes to making our societies and democracies a little better every single day. This becomes especially evident on evenings like this, when impactful stories and clear examples are showcased on stage. Independent journalism is a cornerstone of our societies, something to be proud of and protect,” says Siv Juvik Tveitnes, EVP of Schibsted Media.
AWARD WINNERS: Aftonbladet’s Olof Svensson and Fredrik Björkman (from left) receive the award for Best Scoop for the revelation of Anna Kinberg Batra’s note during Schibsted Media’s The Power of Journalism Awards. Photo: Joakim Riise, Schibsted Media.
Winner of Best Scoop
Aftonbladet: Anna Kinberg Batra’s note
Olof Svensson and Fredrik Björkman
The winners are awarded for a thorough and creative disclosure of abuse of power within public administration.
Jury’s motivation:
At its best, investigative journalism acts as the watchdog of democracy, uncovering misconduct that some would prefer to keep hidden. This year’s winners have exposed nepotism and indifference that other mechanisms failed to catch. The reporters combined traditional investigative methods with innovative creativity. The result is a scoop that resonated across Sweden and had significant consequences.
Other finalists: SvD: Behind Locked Doors and E24: Hunting Scandal in Norwegian Industry.
AWARD WINNERS: The delegation from VG takes the stage to receive the award for Best Innovation for their work on Drapsoversikten (The Homicide Tracker). From left: Øyvind Engan, Hilde Kristine Misje, Marianne Vikås, Christina Quist, and Jonas Nilsson. Photo: Joakim Riise, Schibsted Media.
Winner of Best Innovation
VG: Murders in Norway, Murder case overview
Jarle Brenna, Jonas Nilsson, Marianne Vikås, Christina Quist, Hilde Kristine Misje, and Øyvind Engan
The winners are awarded for creating a groundbreaking overview of all murder cases in Norway over the past 24 years.
Jury’s motivation:
The winners have demonstrated how innovation and groundbreaking design can seamlessly combine data and journalistic craftsmanship. The result is a world-class innovative solution.
Other finalists: Bergens Tidende’s New Weather Service and Aftonbladet’s Election Buddy.
AWARD WINNERS: The delegation from Aftenposten receives the award for Best Storytelling for their work on the story about Kristoffer Ingebrigtsen. From left: Andreas Bakke Foss (award winner), Ola Stenberg (host and Product Director at VG), Inanna Lallerstedt (host and Product Manager at Svenska Dagbladet), Tonje Egedius (award winner), Synne Søhoel (award winner), and Marte Gundersen (award winner). Photo: Joakim Riise, Schibsted Media.
Winner of Best Storytelling
Aftenposten: Kristoffer Ingebrigtsen on his father: “I felt he was going to kill me”
Andreas Bakke Foss, Tonje Egedius, Synne Søhoel, and Marte Gundersen
The winners are awarded for a deep and moving story about Kristoffer Ingebrigtsen, offering Norwegians a unique insight into one of Norway’s most famous families.
Jury’s motivation:
The winners, through unique source handling and meticulous editorial work, have created a story with impressive interplay between text and sound. The result is a powerful and highly relevant narrative, told in the best possible way with depth and significance.
Other finalists: VG: Trapped and Rape Convictions and Aftonbladet: Cocaine Scandal in Parliament.
AWARD WINNER: Halvard Alvheim Vegum received the award for Best Collaboration for his work on Bergens Tidende’s BreakingBot during The Power of Journalism Awards. Photo: Joakim Riise, Schibsted Media.
Winner of Best Collaboration
Bergens Tidende: BT’s BreakingBot
Anders Grimsrud Eriksen and Halvard Alvheim Vegum, along with data journalists and developers at VG/Aftenposten
The winners are awarded for creating a bot that revolutionised the coverage of breaking news, sharing it with other media houses for further development.
Jury’s motivation:
The winners have fostered collaboration across Schibsted by improving and simplifying news coverage at Bergens Tidende, which has also benefited VG and Aftenposten. The tool enables better communication and information sharing during breaking news events. The collaboration has improved the bot and expanded its features with new elements like audio transcription and search for licence plates.
Other finalists: Omni AI Academy and Bergens Tidende Premium Personalization Workstream.
The external and independent expert jury consisted of Olle Lidbom, media analyst; Pia Rehnquist, business area manager at Bonnier News Local; Lars Kristiansen, editor and head of investigative journalism at NRK; Kerstin Brunnberg, former CEO of Sveriges Radio; and Linn Thorkildsen, CEO of Norwegian SKUP.
The categories Best Scoop, Best Innovation, and Best Storytelling are each awarded NOK 100,000.
