INSIGHT

Nordic public service media are joining forces on security and preparedness

9 October 2026

Nordic public service media organisations announce a new landmark agreement which will see collaboration to ensure citizens across the region can access quality and accurate news and information during crises. 

This Insight was originally published by Expressen and in English by Swedish Radio. 

By the CEOs and directors general of Nordic public media

What happens when citizens suddenly lose access to their national news and information during a serious crisis? In today’s security environment, that’s a scenario Nordic public service media needs to be prepared for. Cyber threats, hybrid attacks and disinformation can put both critical infrastructure and public trust under pressure.

That is why RÚV, DR, NRK, SVT, SR, UR and Yle are now joining forces through the Reykjavik Agreement, committing to closer cooperation on preparedness, resilience and continuity of service in times of crisis.

Together, our organisations are entrusted to serve more than 28 million people across Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Every day, and especially in times of crisis, we provide impartial, verified and trustworthy news and information. Nordic societies are built on democratic values, the rule of law, freedom of expression and a strong tradition of public trust – and a well-informed public is the foundation of that trust. We don’t do this alone: a diverse and vibrant media landscape, including a strong commercial sector, is essential for democratic resilience.

Today, our societies face growing pressure. Disinformation, hybrid attacks and cyber threats are becoming more complex, and our growing dependence on global digital tools and platforms creates new vulnerabilities. This is not a hypothetical concern – it is a reality Nordic public service media must be prepared to meet together.

A crisis must not become an information crisis. When societies are under stress, people need access to reliable, verified information they can trust.

Through the Reykjavik Agreement, we have identified three areas we commit to join forces regarding:

• Sharing knowledge about threats and disinformation;
• Strengthening our shared preparedness against cyberattacks and technical disruptions;
• Creating better conditions for helping each other if a Nordic public service organisation faces serious disruptions to its distribution.

At the heart of the agreement is a simple but important commitment: if citizens in a country were to be cut off from their national news and information sources – for technical, security-related or other extraordinary reasons – we will strive to ensure alternative access to reliable information, and enable people to, where possible, access verified news and public service content from neighboring Nordic countries.

The collaboration does not mean that one company can decide what another broadcasts. Editorial independence is a fundamental principle of the entire agreement. What we are building is operational readiness – not shared editorial control.

A crisis must not become an information crisis. When societies are under stress, people need access to reliable, verified information they can trust. This is crucial for their ability to make informed decisions and for the resilience of our democracies.

That is why we are strengthening our cooperation across the Nordic region. Our responsibility is to be there for the public – in everyday life, in times of crisis and when access to information is threatened. By preparing together now, we will be better equipped to support each other when it really matters.

Cilla Benkö, CEO, Swedish Radio

Marit af Björkesten, CEO, Yle

Bjarne Corydon, Director General, DR

Stefán Eiríksson, Director General, RÚV

Vibeke Fürst Haugen, Director General, NRK

Anne Lagercrantz, CEO, SVT

Kalle Sandhammar, CEO, UR