Framing healthy aging and digital technologies: News Coverage in the Nordic Welfare States (2017–2022)

The Nordic welfare model is known for universalism, egalitarianism, and public responsibility. Integral to this is the “media welfare state”, in which the media supports democratic participation and welfare ideals. Yet globalization, demographic shifts, and digitalization are challenging these foundations, prompting questions about the media’s evolving role. This article explores how Nordic newspapers support or challenge welfare state principles by focusing on aging populations. As the population ages, Nordic countries face rising demands on healthcare and the need for digital solutions. While digitalization is promoted to sustain services, it risks excluding older adults, threatening their agency and rights. Analyzing 185 news articles from 15 outlets in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden (2017–2022), this study investigates how people aged 75+ are represented in relation to their health and digital technology, and what these portrayals suggest about their place in the media welfare state. The findings emphasize the media’s key role in shaping public discourse, influencing policy, and ensuring that older citizens remain visible and included in discussions about the future of welfare in the Nordic region.