Mapping: Public and foundation ownership characterise the Danish media market

When Danes use news media, the owners of the media are typically either foundations or the public sector in the form of public service media. This is shown by a new study from Roskilde University’s Centre for News Research.

Researchers have mapped the ownership of 16 of the most influential news media across different platforms, and among these are both private media and public service media, as well as a few news influencers, which are also included in the mapping.

"When we look at forms of media ownership in Denmark, foundation ownership and public ownership dominate the Danish media market. Politiken Fonden and Jyllands-Posten Fond occupy a significant place in the landscape, and with the sale of Berlingske to a Norwegian foundation, this form of ownership has become even more evident. With strong public service media such as the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR), TV 2, Radio IIII, and TV 2’s regional stations, public ownership also fills a significant role," Associate Professor Aske Kammer says.

A third type of ownership is private ownership, which is more widespread among, for example, independent online media and startups.

Users must know who the owners are

In August 2025, a new European regulation on media freedom, The Media Freedom Act, entered into force with the purpose of protecting strong, independent media in the EU.

Based on the regulation, researchers from the 27 member states of the European Union have mapped media ownership in the EU-funded research project Euromedia Ownership Monitor (EurOMo). Researchers from the Centre for News Research at Roskilde University are responsible for the Danish part of the mapping.

"The media freedom regulation underlines the importance that the EU today attributes to independent news media. It is an incredibly important project, because the idea of focusing on media ownership is that users of news media must know who the owners are, so they can identify and understand potential conflicts of interest," says Professor of Journalism Mark Blach-Ørsten, who has led the Danish project.

He adds:

"If a news medium or a website is, for example, owned by an owner with clear political or economic interests, this should in the future, according to the regulation, be clearly stated both by the media itself and via registration with a national supervisory authority.”

Conflicts of interest must be mapped

Part of the pan-European project is to assess possible conflicts of interest and transparency in media ownership structures. Here Denmark is on the favorable side, close to the European average.

Denmark’s position is influenced, among other things, by the absence of specific legislation regarding media ownership, as Denmark only has competition law that covers the area.

In addition, the ownership structure of public service media plays a role, as it brings the media close to the state and the political system. In this context, DR’s Director-General is seen as a so-called politically exposed person.

"It is positive that Denmark scores low in the risk assessment, but it is also clear that the state’s explicit ownership role – not least in the form of politically appointed boards – colours the Danish assessment in relation to the countries we normally compare ourselves with,” says Teaching Assistant Professor Mads Kæmsgaard Eberholst.

Read the report 'Media Ownership in Denmark 2025'.

This news article was first published in Danish 29 January, 2026.