Lofot-Tidende
Lofot-Tidende is a weekly Norwegian local newspaper serving communities in the Lofoten region.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Lofot-Tidende is a Norwegian local newspaper published in Leknes in Vestvågøy Municipality, Nordland. Its editorial coverage focuses on Vestvågøy, Flakstad, and Moskenes, giving the paper a strongly regional role in the Lofoten archipelago. The newspaper is issued weekly on Wednesdays and is currently associated with Amedia, one of Norway's major media groups. The publication has three employees, and Karin P. Skarby serves as chief editor and general manager. The name has an earlier history in the region. A newspaper called Lofot-Tidende was first published in 1952 by the Nordahl family in Leknes. That earlier publication was later sold to the Conservative Party and ceased publication in 1958. The present newspaper was launched on November 12, 1987, by Even Carlsen, Kenneth Grav, and Sverre Christoffersen. Its creation reflected a perception that Lofotposten was not giving sufficient attention to Vestvågøy, the largest municipality in Lofoten, creating an editorial and community rationale for a competing local title. Lofot-Tidende was sold to A-pressen in 1998. A dispute followed over the ownership and competitive implications of the transaction. The Norwegian Media Authority objected to the arrangement, and the matter eventually reached the Supreme Court of Norway. In 2000, it was established that the newspaper was owned by A-pressen, which was later renamed Amedia. The title underwent a major structural change in November 2014, when its company merged Lofot-Tidende with Lofotposten. Publication was reduced from twice weekly to once weekly, and the Lofot-Tidende website was closed. The change prompted a significant local reaction in central and western Lofoten, including the launch of a new newspaper, Avisa Lofoten, by local people. Amedia reversed the consolidation decision in 2015. Lofot-Tidende resumed separate publication in September 2015, still with one issue per week, and its website was reactivated on October 1 of that year. The newspaper's print production has also shifted over time. It was printed at the Lofotposten press in Svolvær until that facility closed on October 1, 2009. Printing then moved to K. Nordahls Trykkeri in Sortland, which also printed Bladet Vesterålen. The newspaper is now printed in Harstad. Historical circulation figures reported by the Norwegian Media Businesses' Association show a decline from 5,045 copies in 2006 to 2,518 in 2016, reflecting the broader pressure on local print newspapers while the title has retained a distinct weekly identity and regional editorial mission.
History
Lofot-Tidende has roots in two separate newspaper ventures bearing the same name. The first appeared in 1952 and was owned by the Nordahl family in Leknes. It was later sold to the Conservative Party and discontinued in 1958. The current publication was established on November 12, 1987, by Even Carlsen, Kenneth Grav, and Sverre Christoffersen. The founders aimed to address what they regarded as inadequate coverage of Vestvågøy, Lofoten's largest municipality, by the established newspaper Lofotposten. The modern newspaper developed as a local title serving Vestvågøy, Flakstad, and Moskenes. It was published twice weekly for much of its early modern history and built its identity around local reporting and community relevance. In 1998, the paper was sold to A-pressen. The ownership arrangement was challenged by the Norwegian Media Authority, leading to a legal process that reached the Supreme Court of Norway. By 2000, the ownership of Lofot-Tidende by A-pressen had been established. A-pressen was subsequently renamed Amedia. A significant period of instability came in 2014. Amedia merged Lofot-Tidende with Lofotposten, reduced the publication schedule to one issue per week, and closed the Lofot-Tidende website. The changes generated substantial opposition in central and western Lofoten. Local residents responded by creating Avisa Lofoten, illustrating the importance attached to an independent local newspaper presence. Amedia reconsidered the consolidation in 2015. Lofot-Tidende resumed operation as a separate title in September 2015, retaining a weekly schedule, and its website returned on October 1. Print production has moved between several facilities. Until October 1, 2009, the newspaper was printed at the Lofotposten press in Svolvær. After that press closed, production moved to K. Nordahls Trykkeri in Sortland, which also handled printing for Bladet Vesterålen. The paper is now printed in Harstad. Available circulation data from the Norwegian Media Businesses' Association indicates that the print edition had 5,045 copies in 2006, rose to 5,182 in 2007, and then declined steadily to 2,518 in 2016. The figures place Lofot-Tidende within the broader transition affecting regional newspapers, but the publication continues to operate as a distinct weekly title with a defined local-news mandate. Its editorial and management leadership is identified as Karin P. Skarby, who serves as chief editor and general manager.
- 2015
Separate weekly publication and website restored
[1]Amedia reverses the merger decision; Lofot-Tidende returns as a separate weekly title in September and its website is reactivated on October 1.
- 2014
Merger with Lofotposten
[1]The two newspaper operations are merged, the print schedule is reduced, and the Lofot-Tidende website is shut down.
- 2009
Printing moves after Svolvær press closure
[1]The Svolvær printing press closes on October 1, after which production moves to Sortland.
- 2000
Ownership confirmed after regulatory proceedings
[1]After objections from the Norwegian Media Authority and court proceedings, A-pressen's ownership is established.
- 1998
Acquisition by A-pressen
[1]Lofot-Tidende is sold to A-pressen, later renamed Amedia.
- 1987
Modern Lofot-Tidende launches
[1]The current newspaper publishes its first issue on November 12, founded by Even Carlsen, Kenneth Grav, and Sverre Christoffersen.
- 1958
Earlier Lofot-Tidende is discontinued
[1]The first newspaper using the name ends publication after having been sold to the Conservative Party.
- 1952
Earlier newspaper with the Lofot-Tidende name begins publication
[1]An earlier Lofot-Tidende is published in Leknes under the ownership of the Nordahl family.
Products and positioning
A community-focused weekly newspaper providing local news, public-affairs reporting, and regional information for Vestvågøy, Flakstad, and Moskenes in Lofoten.
Local newspaper · 1987
Lofot-Tidende weekly print edition
The core product is a Wednesday newspaper covering local government, business, community affairs, culture, and other events in Vestvågøy, Flakstad, and Moskenes. The edition has been published weekly since the 2014 restructuring and the 2015 restoration as a separate title.
Digital news service
Lofot-Tidende website
The newspaper's digital channel extends its local-news presence beyond the print edition. It was closed during the 2014 merger with Lofotposten and reactivated on October 1, 2015.
Brand decisions
2015
Restoration of separate weekly operationsStrategyBackground
Following strong local resistance to the 2014 consolidation, Amedia reconsidered its operating model for the title.
Action taken
Lofot-Tidende resumed publication as a separate weekly newspaper in September, and the website was restored on October 1.
Aftermath
The title retained a distinct editorial identity and continued with one issue per week.
2014
Consolidation with LofotpostenM&ABackground
Amedia combined Lofot-Tidende and Lofotposten as part of an operational consolidation.
Action taken
The separate newspaper operation was merged, its frequency was reduced from twice weekly to once weekly, and its website was closed.
Aftermath
The change triggered local opposition and contributed to the creation of Avisa Lofoten. Amedia later reversed the decision.
Sources2 sources
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