Reykjavík District Court Moves to Fast-Track Sýnar’s Challenge Against Telecommunications Agency
Reykjavík District Court has granted an expedited hearing in the dispute between Sýnar, the Telecommunications Agency, and Símin. The case centres on Sýnar’s bid to annul a Fjarskiptastofa ruling that would allow Símin to broadcast Sýnar’s content without paying for it.
Back in August, Sýn lodged an appeal with the Telecommunications and Postal Appeals Committee, contesting the Agency’s earlier ruling. The committee trimmed the validity period of the Agency’s provisional ruling considerably, accepting Sýnar’s arguments in part.
In a press release issued this evening, Sýn set out its position on the Telecommunications Agency’s verdict.
“The Agency has concluded that a dominant player in the telecommunications market can demand access to content broadcast by SÝN without incurring any costs,” the statement read.
Sýnar said it was deeply troubled by this outcome, arguing that it cuts sharply against constitutional property rights and competition law principles.
A Challenging Landscape for Icelandic Media
The press release also pointed to the difficult position facing Icelandic private media, which are already up against stiff competition from international tech giants and state-owned enterprises.
“It is highly questionable for Fjarskipta to use administrative measures to compel private media to subsidize its competitor’s operations,” the statement argued. Sýn has invested hundreds of millions annually to produce national programming and news services.
“If Símin gains access to this investment without any cost, it amounts to asset confiscation,” the release continued.
Concerns Over Media Law Interpretation
Sýnar’s representatives also took issue with how Fjarskiptastofa has interpreted media law. Their position is that the law should allow content owners to receive compensation even when dealing with a free-to-air station.
“If this is indeed the correct interpretation, it fundamentally conflicts with the constitutional property rights clause, which stipulates that no one can be compelled to relinquish their property without full compensation,” they said.
The cost of producing Icelandic material is not trivial, they stressed. Unlike Símin, Sýn saw no reason to specifically request access to Símin’s content from its open programming.
Páll Ásgrímsson, Sýnar’s chief legal counsel, was clear about what is at stake for Icelandic television content.
“It is essential that our costly production of local content is not rendered worthless by governmental action,” Ásgrímsson stated.
He added, “Should the media be obligated to deliver value to a dominant competitor, this decision must be grounded in clear legal authority while ensuring reasonable remuneration.”
Ásgrímsson also warned that the ruling weakens the case for investing in quality Icelandic content and puts strong news organisations at risk. “We will explore all avenues to overturn this decision,” he said in the press release.
Vísir is a subsidiary of Sýnar.
