Promoting media literacy is a key priority for the Norwegian Media Authority. In recent years, we have conducted several national surveys exploring different aspects of media literacy among the Norwegian population, most recently in 2024 (Medietilsynet & Analyse & Tall, 2024). Experience from these studies has contributed significantly to the development of the first joint Nordic media literacy survey.
At an overall level, the Nordic results in this survey largely confirm our national findings, reinforcing the reliability and consistency of the data. While there are some variations between countries, the general trends suggest more similarities than differences across the Nordic region.
One notable difference concerns the use of paid news services. In both the youth and adult segments of the Nordic survey, Norwegians report a higher use of paid online newspapers compared to their Nordic neighbours. This aligns with the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report (Newman et al., 2024), which identifies Norway as one of the world leaders in digital news subscriptions.
That said, social media remains a widely used source of information, especially among younger users. The absence of an editor-in-chief and editorial oversight makes it easier for mis- and disinformation to spread through these channels, and the Nordic results show that the distinction between editorial and non-editorial media is not always well understood. For instance, three out of ten Norwegians aged 35–44 years mistakenly believe that Facebook has an editor-in-chief who is accountable for its content.
Across the Nordic region, traditional news sources such as TV news programmes and newspaper articles are generally viewed as trustworthy and as contributing positively to democratic values such as freedom of expression. While social media is typically seen as less credible, younger people tend to view them more favourably as providers of relevant news, whereas older respondents are more sceptical. These age-based differences are consistent with our national findings.
Only about one out of three Norwegians find it easy to assess the reliability of information online. Older adults (55+ years) report greater difficulty than younger groups. However, young people’s greater reliance on social media, combined with their higher confidence in discerning true from false information, may paradoxically make them more vulnerable to manipulation. This underlines the need for targeted efforts to strengthen media literacy in this age group.
Strengthening digital resilience requires action across several areas. Editorially independent news media remain one of the most important safeguards against mis- and disinformation. In January 2025, the Norwegian Government presented its white paper “Total Preparedness: Prepared for Crisis and War” (2025), which underscored the essential role of independent media in a functioning democracy and the need for strong framework conditions to support them. The implementation of the EU’s Digital Services Act is another important step, particularly in ensuring greater accountability for digital platforms.
Increasing media literacy is a vital complementary measure. In an increasingly complex and globalised media landscape, users must be equipped to recognise editorial sources, assess information critically, and navigate digital environments safely and confidently.
This joint Nordic media literacy survey offers essential data to support that work. By expanding our collective knowledge base, we are better positioned to develop effective policies and strategies for a more resilient, informed and democratic public sphere.
References
Medietilsynet & Analyse & Tall SA. (2024). Kritisk medieforståelse i den norske befolkningen. Medietilsynet.
Newman, N., Fletcher, R., Robertson, C. T., Ross Arguedas, A., & Kleis Nielsen, R. (2024). Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024. Reuters Institute.