Amediastiftelsen buys publishing house Aschehoug

Amediastiftelsen has confirmed the purchase of the 150-year-old publishing house Aschehoug, ending a competitive bidding process among several interested parties. The acquisition includes the historic villa at Drammensveien 99, though it excludes the valuable properties at Sehesteds plass and the legal service Juridika. The purchase also covers Aschehoug's stakes in Forlaget Oktober, Norli, Fabel Lyd, Allvit, and De norske Bokklubbene. The sale has raised concerns among authors about editorial independence, with writer Espen Søbye expressing hope that Amedia respects traditional publishing norms. The deal is financed through a loan from Sparebankstiftelsen, and Amedia owns over 100 newspapers, including tabloid-style outlets like Nettavisen.