Foundation for a Critical and Investigative Press

The Foundation for a Critical and Investigative Press (Norwegian: Stiftelsen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse), commonly known by the acronym SKUP, is a Norwegian foundation dedicated to inspiring and strengthening investigative journalism in Norwegian newsrooms. It was established in 1990 at Store Studio in NRK at Marienlyst in Oslo, and its formal establishment was completed in Bergen the following year. It was first organised under the name 'Sammenslutningen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse' (Association for a Critical and Investigative Press), and later its organisational form and name were changed to 'Stiftelsen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse' (Foundation for a Critical and Investigative Press). SKUP's purpose, as defined in paragraph 2 of its statutes, is to inspire investigative journalism in Norwegian editorial offices. This is pursued primarily in four ways: by ensuring that a nationwide seminar on investigative journalism is held at least once a year; by working for the publication of a professional journal; by contributing to the annual awarding of the best investigative journalism project; and by promoting cooperation between journalists in Norway and internationally. The foundation is best known for the annual SKUP conference, a professional journalism conference with courses and seminars on topics such as interview technique, information searching and data journalism. At the conference, the foundation presents the SKUP award and SKUP diplomas, which are regarded as the most important recognition for investigative journalism in Norway. In recent years SKUP has also developed the Data-SKUP event, focused on data journalism and AI in journalism, with beginner tracks and an associated Data-SKUP prize. The foundation also collaborates with OsloMet on method development for investigative projects using AI and advanced data analysis. SKUP is a small non-profit foundation rather than a commercial media company. It operates in Norway, serves the Norwegian journalism community, and is governed by a board. Its day-to-day operations are led by a daily manager (daglig leder); in 2026 Camilla Grund was announced as the new daily manager from 1 October. The foundation's activities are funded through conference fees, ticket sales and other support, and its main public-facing assets are its conference brand and its award brand.

The Foundation for a Critical and Investigative Press (SKUP) was established in 1990 at Store Studio in NRK at Marienlyst in Oslo. Its formal establishment was completed in Bergen the following year, 1991. It was initially organised under the name 'Sammenslutningen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse' (Association for a Critical and Investigative Press). Later, its organisational form and name were changed to 'Stiftelsen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse' (Foundation for a Critical and Investigative Press). According to paragraph 2 of its statutes, SKUP's purpose is to inspire investigative journalism in Norwegian editorial offices. This is done primarily in four ways: by ensuring that a nationwide seminar on investigative journalism is held at least once a year; by working for the publication of a professional journal; by contributing to the annual awarding of the best investigative journalism project; and by promoting cooperation between journalists in Norway and internationally. Since its founding, SKUP has held an annual conference, the SKUP conference, which is a professional journalism conference with courses and seminars on topics such as interview technique, information searching and data journalism. At the conference, the foundation presents the SKUP award and SKUP diplomas, which are regarded as the most important recognition for investigative journalism in Norway. The foundation has been led by a board, with chairs including Erik Nord (1991–1992), Berit Simenstad (1992–1994), Ole Torp (1994–1996), Pål Enghaug (1996–1998), Kjartan Rørslett (1998–1999), Kåre M. Hansen (1999–2001), Lars-Erik Nygaard (2001–2003), Astrid A. Aure (Jan–Apr 2003), Kjetil Stormark (2003–2005), Frode Nielsen (2005), Marianne Ruud (2005–2007), Håkon Haugsbø (2007–2010), Heidi Molstad Andresen (2010–2012), Jan Gunnar Furuly (2012–2017), Silje Sjursen Skiphamn (2017–2021) and Nina Selbo Torset (2021–). In recent years, SKUP has expanded its activities to include Data-SKUP, an event focused on data journalism and AI in journalism, with beginner tracks and an associated Data-SKUP prize. In 2026, Data-SKUP was held on a Friday for the first time in SKUP's history. The foundation also collaborates with OsloMet on method development for investigative projects using AI or advanced data analysis. In 2026, Camilla Grund was announced as the new daily manager of the foundation from 1 October. A book, 'SKUP 1990 – 2010', was published by the foundation in 2010.

• 2026

  Camilla Grund becomes new daily manager from 1 October. Data-SKUP held on a Friday for the first time.

• 2021

  Nina Selbo Torset becomes chair of the board (2021–).

• 2017

  Silje Sjursen Skiphamn becomes chair of the board (2017–2021).

• 2012

  Jan Gunnar Furuly becomes chair of the board (2012–2017).

• 2010

  Heidi Molstad Andresen becomes chair of the board (2010–2012). The book 'SKUP 1990 – 2010' is published.

• 2007

  Håkon Haugsbø becomes chair of the board (2007–2010).

• 2005

  Frode Nielsen and then Marianne Ruud (2005–2007) serve as chair of the board.

• 2003

  Astrid A. Aure (Jan–Apr) and then Kjetil Stormark (2003–2005) serve as chair of the board.

• 2001

  Lars-Erik Nygaard becomes chair of the board (2001–2003).

• 1999

  Kåre M. Hansen becomes chair of the board (1999–2001).

• 1998

  Kjartan Rørslett becomes chair of the board (1998–1999).

• 1996

  Pål Enghaug becomes chair of the board (1996–1998).

• 1994

  Ole Torp becomes chair of the board (1994–1996).

• 1992

  Berit Simenstad becomes chair of the board (1992–1994).

• 1991

  Formal establishment completed in Bergen.

• 1991

  Erik Nord becomes chair of the board (1991–1992).

• 1990

  SKUP established at Store Studio in NRK at Marienlyst in Oslo.

Non-profit foundation and the leading Norwegian promoter and award-giver for investigative journalism.

• SKUP conference

  Annual professional journalism conference with courses and seminars on interview technique, information searching and data journalism.

• SKUP award

  Award for the best investigative journalism project in Norway, presented at the SKUP conference.

• SKUP diplomas

  Diplomas recognising investigative journalism, presented at the SKUP conference.

• Data-SKUP

  Event focused on data journalism and AI in journalism, with beginner tracks and an associated Data-SKUP prize.

• Data-SKUP prize

  Prize for data journalism projects, requiring submission of a method report.

1. 1Forside | Skup.noskup.no
2. 2Foundation for a Critical and Investigative Press - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Stiftelsen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse - Wikipediano.wikipedia.org