Photo: Department of Media Studies, Stockholm University.
Background
Born in Sandnessjøen, Norway, in 1946. Matriculation exam. Trondheim Katedralskole, 1965. Studies at Oslo University 1967-74, ending with a Magistergrad in sociology. Topic of dissertation: Class relations and serious sickness. Supporting subjects for the degree: Social economy and social medicin. Research assistent at the Institute for applied social research 1971-73. Research fellow in sociology 1975-76. Dr. polit. in media studies at Bergen University 1997. Media researcher at the Institute of Journalism, Fredrikstad, Norway 1995-2003. Professor of journalism studies at Oslo University, Department of Media and Communication from 2003. Professor (II) in journalism studies at Volda University College, Norway, 2007-2009. Guest professor at the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMK), Stockholm University from 2008.
Project leader for the Nordic Research Network in Journalism Studies (2009-11, funded by Nordforsk. Co-chair of a Scandinavian research project (2008-2010) about the mediation of political scandals, partly funded by Rådet for anvendt medieforskning, Norway. Norwegian participant in the the international research network “Adequate information management in Europe” (2004-2007), financed by the 6th Framework programme of the EU. Head of the research project “The values of the press” 1998-99 (Institute of Journalism). Elected member (from the scientific staff) of the board of the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo (2004-2008). Member of the Organizing committee of the IAMCR world congress for media researchers (august 2008).
Founder and leader of the Peace office in Trondheim 1965-66. Organizing secretary for two campaigns against the US war in Vietnam 1966. Chairman Socialist Youth Association 1967-68. Chairman of the ML-groups 1971-73 and of AKP (ml) and RV (Red Election Alliance) 1973-75.
Chief editor of the daily newspaper Klassekampen 1979-95 (and chief editor of the monthly paper Klassekampen 1969-71). Columnist in Stavanger Aftenblad 1995-2000 and Morgenbladet 2001-2009. Published numerous articles on political and media topics in Norwegian newspapers, periodicals and antologies. Public lectures, speeches and debate contributions, including in radio and television, about media and political communication.
Teaching and tutoring
News analysis, international journalism, news production studies, digital journalism, content and frame analysis in journalism studies, political communication, the relations between public relations and journalism, the political economy of the news media and the freedom of speech.
Special fields
News analysis, international journalism, content and frame analysis in journalism studies, political communication, the relations between public relations and journalism, the political economy of the news media and the freedom of speech.
Ongoing and planned research projects
The history of election programmes in Norwegian television (end 2009). Constructing political scandals (2008-2010). The role of the news media and journalism in judicial procesesses (2010-2011).
Sports: Chair of Sportsklubben Rye in Oslo 1997-2004, leader of Sportsklubben Ryes section for runners 2004-2006, leader of Oslo Triathlon 1995-1993 and member of the organizing theme of Oslo triathlon (including the arrangement of National championships) 1998-2003.