It was started as a weekly newspaper by a governmental commission on 14 April 1808, to counter rumours and false information that arose because of the Gunboat War (1807–1814).
Its first editor was Danish-born Norway-patriot Envold de Falsen.
The newspaper gradually became the organ of the Norwegian Society for Development (Selskabet for Norges Vel), founded (partly by Platou) in 1809.
After a break from January to February 1814, the newspaper continued with the subtitle "from the Norwegian Society for Development" until 11 July 1814, still with Platou as editor.
[1] The newspaper and the people involved with it were especially concerned with the establishment of Norway's first university, which came in 1811.