Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute

Press Freedom and Globalisation
Journalist may only use hidden cameras or microphones or false identity under special
circumstances. 55
The essence in this ethics is the principle of openness and open access to gather
information, respect for the sources as well as protection of anonymous sources. Gradually,
parts of this conduct of the press has been implemented into law. The principle of openness
come up in philosophy of the Enlightenment, and was a matter in the struggle for press
freedom in Scandinavia already in the 18 th and 19 th century. In Norway, several processes,
setbacks and progresses resulted in a law in 1970 where openness in civil service became
the main rule. 56
The need to protect the press’ confidential sources started as an ethical issue, and
then became the law in Norway, however, not as absolute as in the codes of conduct. 57 In
Sweden legislators have gone farther and made the protection of sources complete.
Regardless of the national laws, the European Court of Human Rights has in accordance
with the European Convention on Human Rights article 10 established a strong legal
protection of such sources. 58
A question in the NWICO debate was ‘who is permitted to operate as journalist?’
Many countries make formal requirements and government authorities issue press cards as
license to be a journalist. 59 In Scandinavia, authorities do not present requirements to
media practitioners and the press’ own organs issue press cards. 60 It is not mandatory to
have press card in order to operate as journalists. It is supposed that about 10% of
journalists in Norway are not organised in the Union of Journalists and operate without
55 The Norwegian Press Association, Vær varsom, cut from articles 1.3 and 3.1-3.10.
56
Eide, Den redigerende makt, p. 115.
57
Ibid., pp. 98-99.
58
Eggen, Ytringsfrihet, pp. 78 and 341-344.
59
Krug and Price, “The Legal Environment for News Media”, pp. 192-193.
60 Eide, Den redigerende makt, pp. 92-94.
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