Áššu
Norwegian Sámi newspaper
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Áššu was a Northern Sámi-language newspaper published twice a week and distributed across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. In 2008, Áššu ceased publication to merge with the rival paper Min Áigi to form Ávvir.
| |
| Type | twice-weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | tabloid |
| Owner | Aviisa AS |
Editor-in-chief | Ánte Bals |
| Launched | October 28, 1993 |
Ceased publication | January 22, 2008 |
| Language | Northern Sámi |
| Headquarters | Guovdageaidnu, Norway |
| Country | Norway |
| Circulation | 1,008 (in 2007) |
| ISSN | 0805-4754 |
History
Áššu (the word áššu translates into English as "glowing embers") launched in October 1993 as a rival to Min Áigi, which had launched earlier that year following the bankruptcy of the influential Sámi Áigi newspaper.[1][2] Headquartered in Guovdageaidnu, Norway, the paper was published by Aviisa AS and co-owned by Nordavis AS.[3] Despite having a readership across Sápmi, Áššu was positioned as a more local, traditional newspaper compared to the more political and nationally oriented Min Áigi.[4]
Merger
On 27 August 2007, Áššu and its rival Min Áigi announced plans to merge to create a Northern Sámi-language daily newspaper, Ávvir.[5] A week after Áššu published its final issue, Ávvir launched on 6 February 2008, the Sami National Day.[6] Min Áigi chairman Magne Svineng stated that due to higher production costs, mergering Áššu and Min Áigi was the only way to meet the need for a daily Sámi-language newspaper with wide distribution.[7] Ávvir maintained editorial bureaus in Kárášjohka and Guovdageaidnu, the respective headquarters of Min Áigi and Áššu.
Circulation
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 969 | 1,003 | 1,127 | 1,117 | 1,084 | 1,021 | 975 | 1,008 |