WAN-IFRA CEO Stig Kirk Ørskov paid tribute to outgoing Tinius Trust Chair Ole Jacob Sunde, praising Schibsted’s transformational role in shaping the digital future of global journalism.
Courtesy: Stig Kirk Orskov – MediaBites News – Imran Malik
A powerful moment for global journalism unfolded in Oslo as WAN-IFRA CEO Stig Kirk Ørskov met veteran media leader Ole Jacob Sunde during a special ceremony at Schibsted headquarters.
The occasion marked Sunde’s transition from Chair of the Tinius Trust — the influential foundation controlling Norwegian media powerhouse Schibsted — to incoming Chair Raoul Grünthal.
READ MORE: Journalism fights back as global publishers unite against AI giants at WAN-IFRA Congress in Marseille
Sharing the moment on LinkedIn, Ørskov described Sunde as “one of the most influential figures in modern news media,” crediting him for helping secure journalism’s digital future during one of the industry’s darkest periods following the global financial crisis.
At a time when newspapers worldwide were struggling with collapsing print revenues and the rapid rise of Big Tech, Schibsted emerged as a global example of successful digital transformation.
Ørskov said media leaders from across the world travelled to Oslo and Stockholm not merely to study business models, but to witness Schibsted’s culture of openness, collaboration and innovation.
“Schibsted wasn’t just transforming itself. It showed the rest of us how digital transformation could succeed,” he wrote.
READ MORE: Stig Kirk Orskov begins tenure as WAN-IFRA CEO, flags AI, platforms and personalization as defining forces for publishers in 2026
He further praised Sunde’s long-term vision for independent journalism, saying the outgoing chairman believed media ownership should be driven by values rather than quarterly profits.
Ørskov also expressed confidence in incoming Tinius Trust Chair Raoul Grünthal, calling him “a publisher of the highest calibre” capable of continuing Sunde’s legacy.
The tribute reflects the immense global respect both Schibsted and the Tinius Trust command within the international news media industry — particularly for championing sustainable, independent journalism in the digital age.
