Ingvi Hrafn Jónsson (born 27 July 1942) is an Icelandic journalist, news reporter, television host, and former news director. He is known for his career at the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RÚV), Stöð 2, and for founding the television station ÍNN, as well as for hosting the long-running talk show Hrafnaþing.
Early Life and Education
Ingvi was born in Reykjavík, Kingdom of Iceland, to Jón Sigtryggsson, a doctor and dentist who was the founder and first professor and dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Iceland, and Jórunn Tynes. He graduated from Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík in 1965 and later studied political science at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, United States.
Career
After completing his studies, Ingvi returned to Morgunblaðið, where he had previously worked as a summer employee, as a foreign affairs correspondent. After several years at Morgunblaðið, he founded his own marketing and promotional company. He later returned to journalism when he was hired as a parliamentary reporter for RÚV.
In 1985, he was appointed news director of RÚV. His tenure was controversial, and he was dismissed by the Director General of RÚV, Markús Örn Antonsson, on 19 April 1988. Following his dismissal, he published the book Þá flaug Hrafninn (1988), which detailed his time at RÚV.
He subsequently worked as news director and program director at Stöð 2 and Bylgjan from 1992 to 1994. He returned to media in 1999 with the radio station Útvarp Saga, where he worked until 2003. From 2003 to 2006, he worked for NFS, hosting the show Hrafnaþing.
In 2007, he founded the television station ÍNN, where he continued hosting Hrafnaþing. Following the closure of ÍNN in 2017, he continued the show on YouTube and later in collaboration with Morgunblaðið. In 2019, he launched the streaming service Ísflix together with Jón Kristinn Snæhólm, focusing on conservative-leaning Icelandic content.
Legal Issues
In June 2011, Ingvi Hrafn Jónsson was convicted of tax violations related to the operation of the company Langárveiðar ehf. He was sentenced to six months of suspended imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of 15 million Icelandic krónur. His wife was also convicted and received a three-month suspended sentence and an 8 million krónur fine.
Personal Life
Ingvi is married to Ragnheiður Sara Hafsteinsdóttir. His brother was journalist Óli Tynes, who rose to national prominence for his news reporting during the Cod Wars in 1976. Ingvi has five grandchildren. He has resided part-time in Florida, United States, for extended periods.
