Politiken

Politiken was founded in 1884 by Viggo Hørup, Edvard Brandes and Hermann Bing. Politiken is a radical-social, liberal newspaper. In 1970, it broke its final ties to the Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre) after 65 years of cooperation. This means that Politiken is free and independent of all economic and political interests. In order to emphasise complete editorial independence, a “manifesto” was formulated in 1956 establishing editorial independence from the board of directors. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief is appointed by the Politiken Foundation, which is headed by a self-elective board with the obligation to ensure the editorial independence of the newspaper.

Market position
Politiken is one Denmark’s largest daily newspapers and has a position as Denmark’s “spirited newspaper” (Levende Avis). In addition to politiken.dk, Politiken operates a number of Internet sites including ibyen, tjek, Politiken TV and Turen går til. Furthermore, Politiken has entered into cooperation with epn.dk that is operated by Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten. Politiken’s target group is defined as the modern community-oriented segment.

Number of employees
As of December 31, 2008, the number of full-time employees was calculated at 400 people including 170 journalists. The distribution and printing operations at Politiken have been spun off into independent companies. This means that the employees of these two companies are not included in the above figure, and similarly, freelance journalists, stringers, delivery people and the suchlike are not included either.

Revenue structure
Politiken is a subscription paper. The vast majority – about 93% - of the newspaper’s circulation is sold to subscribers. The rest is by direct sale to non-subscribers. Some 30% of the newspaper’s revenue is from the sale of advertisements. Advertising revenue contributes to ensure financial strength in order that editorial quality can be maintained and further developed, and the sales price of the newspaper can be kept down.

Management
Editorial management is under Bo Lidegaard (Editor-in-chief), Anne Mette Svane, and Lars Grarup while Politiken’s commercial management is under Roy Bruhn-Petersen.

Ownership structure
Since January 1, 2003, Politiken has been published by JP/Politikens Hus which also publishes Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten and Ekstra Bladet. On that same date the old company, Aktieselskabet Dagbladet Politiken, was converted into A/S Politiken Holding. JP/Politikens Hus is the result of a merger of Jyllands-Posten and Politikens Hus at the turn of 2002/2003. An essential precondition for the merger was that the three newspapers were to maintain their unconditional editorial independence and character.

Social commitment
Politiken is particularly known for its cultural profile and actively participates in the support of cultural and sports events. These include the annual Copenhagen Marathon; Zealand Round by Bike; Tøserunden (women’s bicycle race); the world’s largest fun run, the 5x5 Stafetten relay; Across Zealand by bike; World Outgames 2009; Around Christiansborg - swimming competition, and the annual World Press Photo exhibition. In addition, Politiken sponsors numerous cultural events such as the Politiken Audience Award in connection with CPH:PIX, CPH:DOX and the Buster Film Festival.

Awards
FREEDOM AWARD. Founded 2007 on Herbert Pundik’s 80th birthday. Awarded once a year to a person who, with personal courage and unquestionable moral standing, has taken an outstanding responsibility in the fight for freedom and fundamental human rights. The award, at DKK 100,000, is sponsored by Politiken-Fonden. The 2007 Freedom Award was won by the Russian democracy advocate Garry Kasparov, in 2008 it went to the Egyptian scientist Saad Eddin Ibrahim, and in 2009 the award went to Sima Samar, chairwoman of Afghan Human Rights. The prize will be awarded in the 2007-2017 period.

ÅRETS FUND (Young Talents of the Year). Denmark’s oldest sports prize. Awarded since 1929 once a year in December. All associations under the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) are invited to nominate candidates for the selection of the Talent of the Year. The jury consists of representatives of DIF, Team Denmark, Politiken’s editorial management, the Politiken sports desk and Politiken’s sports editor. All nominated candidates are thoroughly introduced in Politiken, and those in the ten top places are invited to Politiken’s Hus at Rådhuspladsen in Copenhagen for a festive celebration.

EDVARD PRIZE. The prize is named after Edvard Brandes (1847-1931) who was one of Politiken’s founders, and was founded in 1996. As Editor in Chief Tøger Seidenfaden once described it, the prize is presented once each year on Edvard Brandes’ birthday on October 21 to “the multi-artist who is capable of giving his articles profile and penetration”. Winners can be journalists, photographers or cartoonists. The award is at DKK 10,000 and is accompanied by a sculpture by Pontus Kjerrman.

HØRUP PRIZE. Named after one of Politiken’s founders, Viggo Hørup (1841-1902). Founded in 1992, the prize is awarded to a journalist at Politiken who has made a special effort in the newspaper in the preceding year. The award, at DKK 10,000, is presented at the Hørup statue in the King’s Garden in Copenhagen on Hørup’s birthday, May 22.

IBYEN-PRISEN. Founded 2008. Awarded for the first time on February 19,2009. Winners can be places or people who do not necessarily do a lot for many, but who “light original lights in a world where the originals may have difficult conditions” A jury consisting of iByen’s editors and well-known people from the city’s world of gastronomy and night life nominate five candidates in each of 10 categories. On the basis of the nominations, Politiken’s readers choose the prize winner in each category.