News, BA | Leaving journalism after 30 years

BA’s head of broadcasting », Rune Eriksen, leaves the editorial office in favor of new pasture.

– Sad to quit, but the newspaper is rigged for the future now.

Retires 30 years in the profession

Eriksen came to BA seven years ago, and has since he got the position as development editor in the summer of 2020, been behind a revolution in video production and streaming for the newspaper. If you have seen or listened to the local football matches on Direktesport on BA.no, the chances are high that you already know Eriksen. He thrives both as a reporter on the sidelines and a commentator in the box.

– BA is a workplace that has really left its mark on me. The journey and development we have had over the last seven years is a bit unique. Growth in the number of subscribers, high readership and the establishment of a new platform with a focus on video and live images. BA has grown in several ways these years, but I am reasonably sure that BA will make an even bigger footprint in the coming years, says Eriksen.

Behind him, he has 30 years of experience in journalism, both as a reportage manager, security manager, program manager and commentator. He has visited TV 2, TV3, TVNorge, Bergens Tidende and NRK. In BA, he has been both news and most recently development editor.

Becomes communications manager

– Now a new era begins for me. After over 30 years in the journalistic force, I want to do something different and contribute my expertise and experience in another arena, says Eriksen.

Now he has accepted the job as communications manager at Haraldsplass Diakonale Hospital.

– We feel lucky to have Rune Eriksen on the team, says Rebekka Ljosland who is director of collaboration and strategy at the hospital.

She says that there were many good applicants for the position, and that Eriksen had tough competition in several. Still, she is clear on what made him finally pull the longest straw:

– It is incredibly fun to bring in a person with such capacity and experience from several relevant industries. To us, he appears skilled, quick, clear, efficient and positive.

She also believes that the pandemic has made more people open their eyes to the work the health service does daily.

– He is given responsibility for ensuring clear communication both internally and externally. For us, it is important to have clear and good communication with patients and relatives. But in addition to this, Haraldsplass is the workplace for 1,200 employees. It is an important part of the job as communications manager to ensure good communication also internally. We believe Eriksen will be the right person for both of these parts of the job.

It is not yet completely clear when Eriksen will take on the role of communications manager, but before the summer it will be.

– The social mission of Haraldsplass strikes me in a solid way. Citizens’ ability to understand, assess and use information about their own health will become even more important in the years to come. I will contribute with correct and clear communication – both internally and externally, he says and adds:

– I want to build on the great work they have already done. All this – as well as the timing made this a job that triggered me and that I look forward to taking on.

–