ISOwnership & classification
Founded: 1913
Ownership
Morgunblaðið (and its leading news site mbl.is, launched 1998) is published by Árvakur hf., which has owned the title since 1919. Following Iceland's 2008 financial crash, Árvakur was taken over by a consortium dominated by fishing-industry interests; the single largest holdings are linked to fishing magnate Guðbjörg Matthíasdóttir (through Hlynur A ehf and Ísfélag Vestmannaeyja). In 2009 the owners installed former PM and central-bank governor Davíð Oddsson as editor, a move Iceland's parliamentary crash-investigation commission cited as an example of owners steering media for political ends.
Funding
Funded by subscriptions and newsstand sales, advertising on print and mbl.is, and the broader Árvakur media operations (radio stations, printing, book publishing); it has historically run at a loss and depends on its wealthy owners.
Affiliation & stance
Although privately owned, Morgunblaðið is controlled by a small group of fishing-industry magnates who have intervened editorially, installing a partisan former politician as editor and giving the paper a conservative, pro-fishing-industry and historically Independence Party-aligned slant. Because owners with strong political/economic interests exercise editorial control rather than running it at arm's length, it is better classed as DEPENDENT, contrary to the site's 'INDEPENDENT' guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Right
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 258
85/100
Factual
82/100
Objective
663
Articles
663
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Droughts with continuous rainfall will sweep across the country tonight and into tomorrow.
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Independent Greenland would have both wider rights and greater opportunities than Iceland within the EU
Recent coverage
Not disclosed by the District Attorney's office
The article reports that a local prosecutor, Ólafur Þór Hauksson, has not contacted individuals whose names appeared in a surveillance video related to an Icelandic police investigation. The video was obtained by the Israeli technology company Cellebrite during an inquiry into the duties of the officer. The names appearing in the video are linked to active criminal investigations involving the officer. In a recent interview with Morgunblaðið, Hauksson stated that the police had initially deleted the video but later re-uploaded it without the names being visible. The article provides access to the full article and encourages readers to support independent journalism.
Brown tomatoes increased by 38 million
An owner of a house in Kársnes, Kopavogur, received an increase of approximately 38 million ISK in the property valuation after applying for a reassessment. The house was built around 1940, with the last renovation completed in 1999. According to data from the Icelandic National Property Registry (HMS), the property’s value increased from 66.8 million ISK to 104.95 million ISK following the reassessment. The change reflects renovations including additions, outdoor areas, and updates to utilities. HMS notes that property owners must apply for reassessments independently, even if they have obtained building permits and updated records. Since 2022, HMS has adjusted its process to require property owners who have visibly expanded their homes to submit reassessment requests.
The cost of climate change is $86 billion
The Icelandic Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate has disclosed that the cost of climate-related measures from 2017 to 2024 amounted to approximately 86.4 billion Icelandic krona. This figure comes from a response by Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson to a parliamentary inquiry by Eiríkur Björn Björgvinsson of the Renewal Party. The costs include actions aimed at reducing emissions or increasing carbon capture but exclude wages, related expenses, and other operational costs. The spending increased steadily from 2017 to 2023, peaking at around 21 billion krona in 2023 before sharply declining to about 9.7 billion krona in 2024. However, most of this expenditure was in the form of tax incentives rather than direct government spending, with nearly 72 billion krona allocated through tax breaks such as subsidies for electric vehicles, incentives for energy transition, exemptions from vehicle taxes for methane-powered cars, and reductions in taxes related to renewable energy usage.
Leaving Manchester City
Nathan Aké, 31-year-old Dutch footballer, has left English Premier League club Manchester City to join Turkish team Fenerbahçe. The transfer was confirmed after a year-long contract with City, though Fenerbahçe did not disclose whether they paid a fee for his move. Aké previously played for Bournemouth before joining City in 2020, making 177 appearances and winning four EPL titles and the 2023 UEFA Champions League. He earned six caps for the Netherlands national team, including participation in the 2023 FIFA World Cup where the Netherlands lost to Morocco in the round-of-16.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
The English await an era of mission
The article reports on an upcoming football match between England and Mexico at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City, which is part of the men's FIFA World Cup knockout stage. England defeated East Congo 2-1 in their previous round, while Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0, securing their place in the next round. The piece highlights Mexico's strong performance at the Aztec Stadium, noting they have won all their matches there, scored eight goals, and conceded none. It emphasizes Mexico's historical success at this venue, having played 89 competitive games and lost only two, with a current winning streak of 22 consecutive matches.
Leitaði 292 sinnum á bráðamóttökuna
A study conducted by Rótarinn reveals that over a five-year period ending in 2020, approximately 9,491 visits were made to emergency departments at Landspítala (National Hospital) by homeless individuals seeking urgent care. On average, each homeless person visited the emergency department 15 times during this period, with some visiting up to 292 times. The study focused on individuals who used Reykjavík City’s emergency shelters and sought care at Landspítala. About 72% of these individuals visited the Fossvogur emergency department, while 27% went to the psychiatric ward at Hringbraut. Women accounted for 169 cases, averaging 7.1 hours per visit, with common reasons including mental health issues, injuries, and substance abuse. Men primarily visited due to physical injuries or medical conditions. The total cost of these visits, excluding accommodation costs, was around 645 million ISK, while the cost including accommodation was approximately 4.6 billion ISK. The report suggests that investment in integrated services, reduced waiting times, and tailored support could improve patient outcomes and increase the efficiency of the healthcare system.
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The TikTok ice cream everyone wants to try has arrived in Iceland
The article discusses the arrival of a new ice cream product called 'Asía' in Iceland, which has gained significant attention on social media platforms like TikTok. The product comes in four flavors: mango, white chocolate, soil berry, and citrus. It is described as having an appealing texture and unique appearance, which has made it popular among consumers. The article highlights how 'Asía' has become a trending item online, with many people sharing videos of their first experiences with the product. The manufacturer, Danól, believes the product will be well-received by Icelandic consumers due to its fresh taste, attractive presentation, and engaging experience.
The Leader Brought to the Grave
The article reports on the public mourning and funeral procession for Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, who died during the conflict in Middle East. It describes the large-scale preparations for his funeral in Tehran, including military parades, religious ceremonies, and international diplomatic engagement. The event took place amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations, particularly the United States and Israel. The article highlights the national significance of the occasion, noting the involvement of foreign dignitaries and the symbolic importance of the ceremony.
Germany wants to talk to Klopp after Nagelsmann's resignation
The German Football Association (DFB) is considering appointing Jürgen Klopp as the new national team coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following Germany's early exit from the World Cup. Nagelsmann stepped down after Germany lost to Paraguay in the round of 16, citing personal reasons and the need to focus on his family. In a statement, the DFB announced they would discuss potential talks with Klopp, who has already expressed interest in taking over. Nagelsmann, who previously coached RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim, took charge of the national team in September 2023 with an agreement to oversee the Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026 qualifiers. His tenure was marked by a lack of success at major tournaments, with Germany failing to win since 2014 and losing consecutive World Cups under different managers.
Special forces on board in Thor
The Icelandic Coast Guard vessel 'Þór' departed Reykjavik Harbor at 3 AM heading toward the whaling ships of Hvals hf., due to the activities of Paul Watson, a prominent whale conservation activist. Five special agents along with Coast Guard personnel are aboard the ship. Watson's vessel, 'Bandero,' has entered Icelandic economic waters, aiming to stop the whaling operations of Hvals hf. and Kristján Loftsson. The 200-mile economic zone around Iceland is international sea territory, but vessels are allowed to operate under the guidelines of the Coast Guard, according to Ásgeir Erlendsson, an information officer for the Coast Guard. Georg Kr. Lárusson, director of the Coast Guard, stated that the vessel primarily aims to protect Icelandic fishermen and monitor the whaling ships. He mentioned that the situation regarding actions taken by Watson has been very fast-paced, and the Coast Guard has been in a reactive position due to Watson's threats. In the last month, Paul Watson's organization proposed Action 86 this summer to end whaling by Icelanders, referencing the event in 1986 when activists sank two whaling ships in Reykjavik Harbor. Lárusson noted that one of the 27 crew members
The ship ran aground in two sundials off the coast of Stromsvik
A Brazilian ship named Koznitza was anchored off Straumsvík for two solar days before being towed to port. During an inspection under the ship, 106 kilograms of cocaine were discovered. RÚV first reported the incident. Lúðvík Geirsson, the harbor master of Hafnafjarðarhavn, explained that large ships like this often require special handling due to their size, and they cannot be brought into the harbor unless in high tide. The ship was built in China in 2024 and is owned by the Bulgarian shipping company Navibulgar, sailing under the flag of Malta. The harbor does not monitor ships passing by the bay, and the police have indicated that this could be considered smuggling. According to reports, the police received specific information that led to suspicions of smuggling, and the investigation has been conducted in cooperation with local police units, customs, and Europol. The ship had not previously arrived in Iceland and is now stationed near the Danish island of Borgundarholmi in the East Faroe Islands.
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
