How a century-old Icelandic daily became the nation's most influential and controversial media voice.
In short: Founded in 1913, Morgunblaðið has evolved from a modest eight-page publication into Iceland's primary newspaper of record. Today, it remains the country's only daily print paper, while its digital platform, mbl.is, dominates the local web. Yet, its long history is marked by political shifts and high-profile editorial tensions.
Established by Vilhjálmur Finsen and Ólafur Björnsson, the brother of Iceland's inaugural president, Sveinn Björnsson, the paper debuted on November 2, 1913. Over the decades, it cemented its status as a cornerstone of Icelandic journalism. The publication's visual identity was long defined by its cartoons; Sigmúnd Jóhannsson, who famously illustrated the Surtsey landings in 1964, served as a permanent cartoonist from 1975 until his departure in 2008.
The paper's trajectory took a sharp turn in September 2009, when owners appointed Davíð Oddsson as one of its two editors. Oddsson, a former governor of the Central Bank and Iceland's longest-serving prime minister, brought a distinct political background from the Independence Party, sparking significant controversy. This era highlighted the paper's role as a lightning rod for national discourse, often placing it at the center of heated public debates regarding its editorial direction.
Tensions regarding editorial independence surfaced again with the tenure of cartoonist Helgi Sigurðsson, hired in May 2010. Sigurðsson became known for provocative illustrations covering sensitive subjects like immigration, refugees, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship concluded on January 7, 2022, following reports that Sigurðsson resigned after being asked to soften his submissions. His final work for the publication had appeared just weeks earlier, on December 14, 2021, marking the end of a turbulent chapter in the paper's long-standing history of political commentary.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Morgunblaðið
- Also: Wikidata — Morgunblaðið · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-morgunbla-i.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Newspapers · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
