Follo was a local Norwegian newspaper that served the Follo district in Akershus county. It was originally established in 1923 as Follo Arbeiderblad and was affiliated with the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet).
History
Follo Arbeiderblad began publication on October 10, 1923, initially as a weekly newspaper. Its primary aim was to serve as the voice of the Labour Party and the labor movement within the Follo region, which encompasses several municipalities south of Oslo, including Frogn, Ås, Vestby, Oppegård, Ski, and Nesodden. The newspaper was published from Drøbak, the administrative center of Frogn municipality.Over its history, Follo Arbeiderblad faced competition from other local newspapers in the region, particularly Østlandets Blad, which had a more centrist or conservative leaning. Like many party-affiliated newspapers in Norway, Follo Arbeiderblad often struggled financially, relying on party support and subsidies.
In 1982, the newspaper underwent a name change, dropping "Arbeiderblad" from its title and becoming simply Follo. This change was part of a broader trend among party newspapers to broaden their appeal and shed explicit political branding as the public's direct affiliation with party presses declined. Despite this effort, the newspaper continued to face economic challenges.
Follo ceased publication in 1987, after 64 years of operation. Its closure marked the end of an era for the Labour Party's direct press presence in the Follo district.
Profile
- Name: Follo (formerly Follo Arbeiderblad)
- Type: Local newspaper
- Political Affiliation: Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)
- Headquarters: Drøbak, Frogn, Akershus, Norway
- Service Area: Follo district (Akershus county)
- Founded: 1923
- Ceased Publication: 1987