Soldatnytt

Soldatnytt is the information channel of Tillitsvalgtordningen i Forsvaret (TVO), the Norwegian Armed Forces' elected representative system for conscripts. It is published by Vernepliktsrådet (VPR), the Conscript Council, which holds overall responsibility for the content. The channel produces journalism focused on first-time service (førstegangstjeneste), conscription, and the everyday lives of conscripts, and it serves as a voice for conscripts within the armed forces. Its output appears digitally at soldatnytt.no and on social media, and historically also in print. The editorial team consists of conscripts themselves, typically two to three media and information soldiers, with office space at Akershus festning in Oslo. The team writes, photographs, travels, and meets with both conscripts and employees across the armed forces. Soldatnytt is not covered by the Norwegian Media Responsibility Act (medieansvarsloven), reflecting its status as an internal information channel rather than an independent press outlet. Soldatnytt was formally established in 1979 by the secretariat of Landsutvalget for tillitsmenn i Forsvaret (LFT/S). It began as a pure information bulletin about the representative system but evolved into a magazine covering current TVO issues and reporting on soldier life. In 2020, TVO entered a trial agreement with Forsvarets Forum (FOFO) under which Soldatnytt was no longer printed in its own format but published on FOFO's website and as a column in its print edition. After a two-year trial, TVO re-established Soldatnytt under VPR, and on 23 February 2022 the Landsstyremøte (LS) adopted a recommendation to keep Soldatnytt within TVO with increased professional competence and capacity. Today Soldatnytt continues to publish news, features, and columns such as "Soldaten mener" (The Soldier Says) and "Soldatpolitisk hjørne" (Soldier-Political Corner), along with interactive resources like a map of Norwegian military bases. It remains a key communication tool for conscripts and the elected representatives who serve them.

Soldatnytt was formally established in 1979 by the secretariat of Landsutvalget for tillitsmenn i Forsvaret (LFT/S), the national committee for elected representatives in the Norwegian Armed Forces. In its early years, it functioned as a pure information bulletin about the representative system (tillitsvalgtordningen), explaining its structure and purpose to conscripts. Over time, it evolved into a magazine that covered current TVO issues and included reportages on soldier life, broadening its journalistic scope. For decades, Soldatnytt was published as a print magazine. In 2020, the head of the Tillitsvalgtordningen entered into an agreement with the editor of Forsvarets Forum (FOFO) for a trial period during which Soldatnytt would no longer be printed in its own format. Instead, its content would be published on FOFO's website and as a dedicated column in FOFO's print edition. In December 2020, in connection with TVO's Landsstyremøte (national board meeting), the editor of FOFO proposed permanently taking over editorial responsibility for Soldatnytt. The trial project lasted for two years. After the trial period, TVO re-established Soldatnytt and VPR (Vernepliktsrådet, the Conscript Council) took over responsibility again. On 23 February 2022, the Landsstyremøte adopted a recommendation that Soldatnytt should remain within TVO, with increased professional competence and capacity. This decision was a clarification of the working group's recommendation that Soldatnytt stay in TVO. The re-establishment plan provided a framework for the channel's operations. Since its re-establishment, Soldatnytt has been published digitally at soldatnytt.no and on social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The website is run by two to three conscripted media and information soldiers, with office space at Akershus festning in Oslo. The editorial team produces news, features, columns, and interactive content such as a map of Norwegian military bases. Soldatnytt operates under the overall responsibility of VPR and is not subject to the Norwegian Media Responsibility Act, consistent with its role as an internal information channel for the armed forces.

• 2022

  On 23 February, the Landsstyremøte adopts a recommendation that Soldatnytt remain in TVO under VPR with increased competence and capacity.

• 2020

  TVO enters a trial agreement with Forsvarets Forum (FOFO); Soldatnytt ceases own print format and is published on FOFO's website and print column.

• 2020

  In December, FOFO editor proposes permanently taking over editorial responsibility for Soldatnytt at TVO's Landsstyremøte.

• 1979

  Soldatnytt formally established by the secretariat of Landsutvalget for tillitsmenn i Forsvaret (LFT/S).

The voice of conscripts within the Norwegian Armed Forces, providing news and information about conscription and soldier life.

• Soldatnytt.no website

  Digital news platform publishing articles on conscription and soldier life.

• Soldatnytt magazine

  Historical print magazine covering TVO issues and soldier life.

• Interactive map of Norwegian military bases

  Online tool showing military bases across Norway.

1. 1Hjem - Soldatnytt.nosoldatnytt.no
2. 2Bli kjent med Soldatnytt - Soldatnytt.nosoldatnytt.no
3. 3Soldatnytt - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Soldatnytt - Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org