Umfjöllun

Umfjöllun is an Icelandic noun used in journalism and media theory to describe reporting and discussion that extends beyond the bare facts of an event. It encompasses analysis, interpretation, and contextualization, aiming to help audiences understand the significance, causes, and consequences of news. Umfjöllun can be found in feature articles, in-depth analyses, commentary columns, and broadcast segments, as well as online platforms.

While standard news reporting (fréttir) is primarily concerned with who, what, where, and when, umfjöllun adds background, multiple perspectives, and evaluation of potential implications. The form may present evidence from sources, reference expert opinions, and compare different viewpoints; it may also reflect editorial judgment, though in responsible practice it clearly distinguishes between verified information and opinion.

In media studies, umfjöllun is important for democratic discourse because it enables informed public discussion by reducing complexity into accessible explanations and by highlighting unresolved questions. Journalists practicing umfjöllun are expected to adhere to standards of accuracy, fairness, transparency about sources, and disclosure of any conflicts of interest. The term is widely used across print, broadcast, and digital media in Iceland and is a core category in discussions of journalism quality and media literacy.