ISOwnership & classification
Founded: 1998
Ownership
Vísir.is is an Icelandic online news site launched in 1998 (originally by Frjáls fjölmiðlun). Since December 2017 it has been owned by Sýn hf., the mass-media and telecoms group formed when Vodafone Iceland's parent Fjarskipti merged with the TV, radio and online assets of 365 miðlar; alongside Vísir, Sýn operates Stöð 2 television and the Bylgjan radio station. Sýn hf. is a publicly traded company listed on Nasdaq Iceland.
Funding
Funded by digital advertising on the free Vísir.is site together with the broader subscription, advertising and telecom revenues of its parent Sýn (TV, radio and telecommunications services).
Affiliation & stance
Vísir is owned by a listed commercial media-and-telecoms corporation with dispersed shareholders and no party or state control, and is regarded as a mainstream, broadly centrist news outlet. Its private, commercial ownership supports an INDEPENDENT classification (matching the site's guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 426
86/100
Factual
82/100
Objective
1114
Articles
1114
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
U.S. and Iran agree to cease attacks and return to talks
World Cup round-up: Messi breaks scoring record, Algeria survive, but Jordan are eliminated
Haaland with the late winning goal: Norway prevails
Oil rises minimally amid new tensions in the Middle East and delayed deliveries through the Strait of Hormuz.
Special forces on board in Thor
Brexit and Iceland - What can we learn and where should we go?
Droughts with continuous rainfall will sweep across the country tonight and into tomorrow.
Paraguay beats Germany to a thrill
How much does it take to get a game between Messi and Ronaldo at the World Cup?
Recent coverage
Sudan's RSF closes in on Al Obeid as UN warned of imminent atrocities
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, is advancing toward Al Obeid in the North Kordofan region, which is currently held by the Sudanese army. The city has experienced significant disruptions due to RSF drone strikes targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, including the main power station, leading to power outages, water shortages, and hospital operations being affected. Residents report that life remains mostly normal despite these challenges, though fuel shortages persist after attacks on gas stations. Videos circulating online show RSF fighters claiming they will capture Al Obeid within days. Al Obeid is strategically important as it houses the army's 5th Infantry Division and serves as a major commercial hub. Losing this city would be a significant setback for the army, similar to their previous loss of El Fasher in Darfur, which led to widespread atrocities by the RSF. In response, multiple countries, including Norway, Britain, France, and Germany, have raised concerns at the UN Human Rights Council, warning of potential large-scale atrocities if the RSF escalates its assault on Al Obeid.
Iceland calls for urgent debate on the state of play in Sudan
Iceland called for an urgent debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the situation in Sudan, specifically highlighting concerns about human rights violations in the city of El Obeid in North Kordofan state. Iceland joined other countries in expressing alarm over the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region, emphasizing the need to stop all attacks immediately and ensure protection for civilians and aid workers. The statement noted that at least 880 people have died in drone strikes and thousands more are trapped in El Obeid, facing threats to their safety and access to basic necessities. The UN has reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of violence and the protection of vulnerable populations.
An American gets the maximum amount of recovery time at Wimbledon.
The article discusses the scheduling of the first-round doubles match at Wimbledon involving American tennis player Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams against the Argentine-Colombian pair Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The match was initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday but has been postponed due to Serena's injury during her singles match. Tournament organizer Andy Murray (likely a misstatement, as Andy Murray is a British player, and the correct name might be someone like Ashley Barker or another official) stated they are giving Serena as much time as possible to recover. They ruled out postponing the match to later dates unless necessary for safety or tournament flow. The match is expected to take place on a larger court to accommodate the large crowd attracted by Serena and Venus, who are major stars. Serena returned to professional tennis after four years, but she lost her first singles match and injured her knee. She did not attend a press conference afterward due to health reasons and expressed her commitment to participating in the doubles event. Serena and Venus have won six doubles titles together, including a title in 2016.
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
Eight Tunisian players failed drug tests
Eight members of Tunisia's men's football team tested positive for clenbuterol during the World Cup, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The drug is commonly used by livestock farmers in Mexico to prevent cattle from losing weight during transportation. Despite the positive tests, none of the players will face sanctions, as investigations suggest the contamination likely came from food consumed at the team's base in Mexico. Tunisia lost all three of their matches at the tournament, including a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden. This incident echoes a similar case in 2011, where over 100 players tested positive for clenbuterol at the Under-17 World Cup, but no sanctions were imposed due to evidence pointing to contaminated food.
The Reykjavík Triathlon for the first time in the city centre of Reykjavík
The article reports on the first-ever triathlon event in Reykjavík city center, organized by Ægir3, which is the oldest triathlon club in Iceland. The event includes swimming 1500 meters, cycling 20 kilometers, and running 10 kilometers. It mentions that anyone registered with the triathlon club can participate in the general category, which contributes to points in the club’s competition. The race route starts at Skarfaklett, goes through the harbor area, and includes specific distances for each segment. The article also notes that participants must follow specific rules, including wearing approved gear and prohibiting the use of music during the race. There is a minimum age requirement of 18 years for the Olympic-style triathlon.
Ninety years of common security
The article discusses Iceland's national insurance system, established 90 years ago in 1936, which was a pivotal moment in the country's social welfare history. The system provides support for citizens facing health issues, accidents, unemployment, and old age through various forms of insurance. It highlights how the system has evolved over time, expanding rights and creating specialized institutions while maintaining its core principle of providing assistance during times of need. The author reflects on the importance of this collective responsibility within society.
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
Christians new director of operations Saffran
Kristjana Þorgeirsdóttir Heiðdal hefur tekið við starfi framkvæmdastjóra Saffran, fyrirtæki í Reykjavík. Kristjana hefur starfað hjá fyrirtækinu í átta ár og var áður rekstrarstjóra. Í tilkynningu segir hún að hafa mikil forréttindi að fá tækifæri til að leiða fyrirtæki og að ýmissa að efla frekar framboð af hollri og bragð góðri fæðu úr besta fáanlega hráefni. Þar kemur fram að hún hefur gegnt lykilhlutverki í uppbyggingu félagsins og þróun rekstrar. Bjarni Gunnarsson, stjórnarformaður Saffran, lýsir Kristjana sem lykilmaður í uppbyggingu fyrirtækisins og segir að hún hefi sýnt framúrskarandi leiðtogahæfileika.
The Western Gate Reopens
Vesturbæjarlaug opnaði dyrnar á ný í dag, 3. júlí, með hiti sundlaugarinnar um tólf gráður. Laugin var lokuð vegna viðhalds frá 23. júní og opnaði aftur 25. september eftir að flögnun málningar á botni hafi valdi vandræðum. Opnun var frestað um nokkra daga til að tryggja að málning á barnalaugarbotni hefði náð fullnægjandi þurrki áður en vatni var hleypt á hana. Laugin hefur verið óhrædd við að leita á nýjar slóðir og opnaði nýjar sánubaða í vor.
Tea and coffee on the Southern Highway
The article discusses the closure of a café called 'Te og kaffi' located at Suðurlandsbraut in Reykjavík. The managing director, Guðmundur Halldórsson, states that the closure was necessary due to ongoing lease negotiations and that they had not yet achieved the success they desired at that location. Despite this, the café continues to operate at seven other locations, and the management remains optimistic about continuing operations there. The café, which operates out of the same building as Synergia's office, has been open for over ten years at that location. The owners, Sigmundur Dýrfjörð and Berglind Guðbrandsdóttir, founded the café in 1984, starting with a stall in Reykjavík before expanding into residential areas. They established a coffee roasting facility in Hafnarfjörður in 1987, and by 2017, they operated 14 cafés, now reduced to seven after the closure.
Cheaper to camp in the West
The article reports on rising prices for accommodation in Iceland, noting an average increase of about seven percent for a night for one adult and around eleven percent for electricity costs over the past year. It highlights that the most expensive areas to stay are in the capital region, while the cheapest options are available in western regions. The data comes from rental agencies and guests at accommodations. The cost of staying varies based on factors such as whether electricity is included, if guests plan to stay in a cabin, lodge, or caravan, and other services. Specific examples include higher prices in Reykjavík compared to Hafnarfjörður and lower rates in Vesturlandi. Additionally, the article mentions a discounted travel pass offering reduced rates for families traveling together.
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.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
The conditions of non-establishment Forward Iceland
Test for Brassa: Norway the only team they haven't won
Almost all of the music has entered the AI model
The same horror story: the EEA in Iceland in 1993 and the EU in Sweden in 1994
