DV (newspaper)
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DV (Dagblaðið Vísir) is an Icelandic tabloid published by the Icelandic media conglomorate 365 ljósvakamiðlar.
DV, a small paper even by Icelandic standards, keeps sparking public controversies in Iceland with its aggressive editorial policy. Critics claim that their policy of publishing a picture, full name and, in some cases, addresses of e.g. alleged criminals who have not yet been convicted has cost many their reputation. DV, on the other hand, claims that the public has the "right to know."
One case in particular caused widespread anger. In January 2006 DV ran a cover story claiming that former elementary school teacher Gísli Hjartarson had sexually abused two or more boys in his home town of Ísafjörður, Northwest Iceland. Hjartarson, who had not been charged with the abuse, committed suicide the same day and cited DV's story as his reason in a letter he left for his family. This tragedy caused popular uproar against DV with 30 thousand people (about 10% of the Icelandic population) signing an online petition demanding a new editorial policy. The editors were forced to resign.
As a direct result, lawmakers in Iceland have introduced a new bill which would increase the liability of a newspaper who published defamation. The newspaper would have to pay damages that would have "severe financial consequences" for the wrongdoer (compare punitive damages).
DV's motto is Þorir meðan aðrir þegja (dares when others stay silent).
On April 28, 2006 it was announced that the paper would only be published in weekends in the future as it had proven unprofitable.
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