(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Berit Ås, former party leader in SV and shareholder in Ny Tid: When I ask who can lead Orienterings tradition further, I would probably prefer that something be done in collaboration with Klassekampen. But it is clear: If it is about survival, I agree with Damm taking over. This is a humanist publishing house in question, and I have a relatively good impression of Damm. I really appreciate Rune Slagstad and Berge Furre, who have their soul rooted in Orientering, but I don't know how much they have in business. It is terribly difficult to sit and be responsible for such an underfunded newspaper.
Turid Grønlund, former editor and shareholder in Ny Tid: When I was editor of Ny Tid, I had conversations with the then editor of Klassekampen to look at collaboration opportunities. At that time, I was struck by the fact that I had a strong feeling that the newspaper would be swallowed up – a kind of "Class struggle, in which New Time is occupied". I did not think anything of it, and the economy has not improved in recent years. Of course, there is never any guarantee of how this can end, but I see Damm as a serious player, and choose to look positively on the takeover.
Terje Kalheim, former SV city councilor, Labor politician and shareholder in Ny Tid: As a reader, I rather wish that there could be a merger with Klassekampen, to get one newspaper on the left. But there is no choice, that's the world – it's just hoping for the best, even if it does not seem to go the way I want. The most important thing is that Ny Tid can deliver a product that the left can benefit from.
Ottar Hellevik, professor at the Department of Political Science and shareholder in Ny Tid: I have no strong opinions on this, as it is not easy to predict what the outcome will be with a new owner. But I hope the newspaper can continue with the same type of content it has had, but with better finances.
Anders Horn, former editor and shareholder in Ny Tid: I know from personal experience how bad the economy in New Time is, and what it is like to struggle with the ancestors' large debts. By writing off debt, the newspaper gets a vitamin injection so that the employees will be able to lift the newspaper to become a much better product.
Oddrun Remvik, general secretary of the Norwegian Translators' Association, leader of SV's women's policy committee and shareholder in Ny Tid: One can ask a lot of questions about what Damm wants with this, but we have to take it in the best sense: That Damm will now secure cultural capital. As I have seen, this is the only way out, and when the alternative is to close the newspaper, I think the newspaper should accept the offer. Those who now oppose the sale have also not come up with any good suggestions, and for me it does matter a lot that there is a unanimous club that advocates for Damm. We know that attempts have been made with the Class struggle before, but in my opinion it is of no use as long as the AKP has twenty percent of the shares in the newspaper.
Lisbeth Rugtvedt, State Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Research, former board member and shareholder in Ny Tid: I have confidence in Damm, and not least in the board that has supported the sale. This is a good solution – and a realistic solution – that can secure jobs, further operations and not least a future for Ny Tid.
Tora Aasland, county governor of Rogaland and shareholder of Ny Tid: I support the line that party leadership, the board and the club have chosen, and I trust that the opinions they have made are to the best of the newspaper.
Svein Skotheim, former chairman of the board and shareholder in Ny Tid: I gave my authority to board chairman Åge Rosnes before the general meeting last Monday, and I have great faith that the central board of SV, the employees and the board of Ny Tid have made an independent assessment based on the knowledge available.
Rolf Reikvam, parliamentary representative for SV and shareholder in Ny Tid: I basically want a different solution, perhaps in relation to Klassekampen, Fritt Ord or Dagsavisen, but since I have not participated in the debate around this, I would rather choose to rely on the club when they agree to accept the Damm offer.
Theo Koritzinsky, former leader of SV and shareholder in Ny Tid: I have both faith and doubt about Damm's takeover. The doubt stems from the fact that Damm is both a stock exchange and a cathedral, and that there will always be an uncertainty that the stock exchange will prevail in a commercial publishing house such as Damm. But in the balance, faith is still stronger than doubt, and I bow to the assessments made by the board of Ny Tid, of a united club, and also of SV's central board. Closing I think would be the saddest thing. It is clear that solutions are conceivable in collaboration with Klassekampen, Morgenbladet or other actors on the radical and liberal left, and I am also open to compromise solutions if they can be found in the last hour.
Gunnar Ringheim, former editor of Ny Tid: I do not think it is a good idea to have party-owned newspapers. A merger of Klassekampen and Ny Tid which resulted in something a la Danish Information would have been ideal, but that also requires ownership changes in the Class struggle. One should probably go for Damm this time and try something like this when the Class struggle is willing to change its ownership structure.
