Greenland’s Media Landscape at Risk: Concerns Over New Job Portal
The ripples from recent developments at the heart of Greenland’s media sector are being felt far and wide. According to Arnaq Nielsen, chairman of the Tusagassiuinermi Sulisut Peqatigiiffiat (TP), the implications of cuts at Sermitsiaq could reverberate throughout the entire country.
This concern arises in the wake of turmoil surrounding a new government job portal, set to launch on January 1. The portal has faced significant backlash after the resignation of the former minister responsible for its oversight, Bentiaraq Ottosen (A), and subsequent criticisms from various stakeholders regarding its potential impact.
Masaana Egede, managing director of Mediehuset Sermitsiaq, has voiced apprehensions that a state-run job portal could jeopardize the media house’s primary revenue stream: job advertisements. In a recent interview, he unequivocally stated, “I would actually go so far as to say that we will have to fire a lot of journalists if this job portal comes in and competes with us on the private market.” He added that this scenario poses a significant democratic challenge.
Arnaq Nielsen aligns herself with Egede’s assessment, emphasizing the necessity for robust media in Greenland. “It would be incredibly unfortunate if a job portal contributed to undermining our media,” she remarked, underlining the importance of maintaining a healthy media landscape.
Addressing the Underlying Issues
In response to the outcry from Egede, Transparency International Greenland has entered the conversation, asserting that the challenges faced by the media stem from a deeper issue: a lack of support for independent journalism. Inuk Lundblad, the organization’s chairman, stated in an email, “We are not doing enough to support and help our news media.” He lamented that the introduction of a job portal should not be a cause for alarm if proper backing were in place.
Nielsen echoes this sentiment, noting the existing strain on media outlets in the country. She points to a critical shortage of bilingual journalists and highlights how advancements in technology, coupled with a heightened demand for information about Greenland, have intensified pressure on the press. “The need for journalism to foster a democratic debate and provide comprehensive coverage of Greenland has never been greater,” she asserted.
With layoffs at Sermitsiaq looming, Nielsen insists that this is the last thing the industry needs right now. “If the government recognizes the importance of the media, then they must take steps to bolster it through their decisions,” she stressed.
The Call for Local Coverage
When asked if the community could rely solely on news from larger Danish media outlets such as Danmarks Radio or TV2, Nielsen firmly replied, “The short answer will be no.” She believes that developing local journalistic coverage is crucial for addressing Greenlandic perspectives effectively. “It’s vital we have media that connect with the Greenlandic populace,” she stated emphatically.
The recent coalition agreement among the governing parties reflects a desire to modernize media support, aiming for innovation and reinforcement of democratic discourse. Currently, an amendment related to media support is open for public consultation, with responses due by December 8.
As KNR continues to delve into the implications of these developments, they will be following up on the criticisms raised by Sermitsiaq and seeking responses from the governing parties, who have temporarily assumed responsibility for the controversial job portal. The outcome of these discussions will undoubtedly shape the future of Greenland’s media landscape.