He edited the paper between 1926 and 1928, remaining throughout its existence a central contributor, and was chairman for the Norwegian Students' Society in 1924 and 1926.

When Mot Dag became a part of the Communist Party of Norway (NKP) in 1927, Hegna also became the editor for Norges Kommunistblad in a period.

During the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, the newspaper was closed after publishing the headline "Ingen nordmann til salgs!"

[4] After the liberation of Norway at the end of World War II, he again became editor of 1ste Mai, a position he held until 1958.

He was a member of Stavanger city council from 1945 to 1955, and was represented at the Storting between 1950 and 1965, for a period leader of the Standing Committee on Finances and Customs .