ALTSÅ named Magazine of the Year

August 26 2021

On 25 August, ALTSÅ was named Magazine of the Year at the annual awards ceremony for the Media Prizes.

Launched in 2019 by Sigrid Bonde Tusvik and Ida Eliassen-Coker as an alternative to media run by clickbait journalism, Altså is based entirely on subscription revenues rather than on advertising. Moreover, it dedicates space to Norwegian works of art where one usually finds advertisements. Although the magazine addresses all genders, it mainly publishes articles and material about women.

The jury’s grounds:
This year’s Magazine of the Year is a rock-solid journalistic product, with a clear strategy for how to distribute its content and build a community. Over the past year, the magazine has evolved into a well-integrated product with several editorial legs to stand on. This is definitely a project fuelled by civic engagement, the entrepreneurial spirit and a fervent desire to change the world. It provides aesthetics and quality every step of the way, challenging the accepted idea of ‘magazine’ in every single issue. The magazine is sustainable both financially and environmentally, and it takes pride in raising up women and feminist values. The publication takes clear positions intended to promote a genuine, untouched and multi-faceted society. The Magazine of the Year award provides a counterbalance in today’s world, offering an invigorating, important voice among the profusion of magazines.

Handed out annually by the Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association (MBL), the Media Prizes are awarded at Norwegian magazine publishing’s most prestigious ceremony.

ALTSÅ is published with support from Fritt Ord.

News

Mykhailo Tkach, Andrei Aliaksandrau, Arevhat Sahakyan (Factor TV), Nino Bakradze (iFact), and Lola Tagaeva (Verstka).

Free Media Awards for 2026. Press freedom under pressure in wartime: – Silence does not protect democracy

September 29 2026

This year’s winners of the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius received their awards in Toppsalen at the Munch Museum in Oslo on 29 September 2026.
The Belarusian journalist and media manager Andrei Aliaksandrau came straight to Oslo after spending over five years in prison for his work. Aliaksandrau dedicated the award to imprisoned journalists and editors in Belarus and quoted the Liverpool FC anthem: “You’ll never walk alone”.

Mykhailo Tkach heads investigations at Ukrainska Pravda, which uncovers corruption, even in a Ukraine fighting an existential war against Russia.
– I face charges in at least thirteen cases related to my work. I have been threatened. My team has been threatened. And what is our answer? To keep digging. Silence does not protect democracy. Journalism does.

Mykhailo Tkach

Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Belarusian journalists and media to receive five Free Media Awards for 2026

September 3 2026

This year’s prize laureates for the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius are:
The investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach from Ukraine
The investigative media outlet iFact from Georgia
The online media Factor TV from Armenia
The online media Verstka from Russia (in exile)
The journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau from Belarus (imprisoned)*

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

August 30 2026

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute 2026

August 18 2026

The rap duo Karpe has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for giving voice to the experiences of many young people from minority backgrounds. Through the language of rap, they are expanding the space for the expression of identity and belonging.