Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
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<strong>Press</strong> <strong>Freedom</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Globalisation</strong><br />
incorrect information is published, it must be corrected <strong>and</strong>, if necessary, an apology made<br />
as soon as possible. Those subjected to attacks should, as soon as possible, have the<br />
opportunity to reply. Those subjected to strong accusations shall, if possible, have the<br />
opportunity to simultaneous reply. Debates, criticism <strong>and</strong> dissemination of news must not<br />
be hampered by parties being unwilling to make comments. 79<br />
All Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian countries have media councils to deal with such conflicts. The<br />
system insists that if a medium loses a case, it has to publish the media council’s<br />
statement. 80 In addition it is possible to prosecute media, <strong>and</strong> this leads to the problem of<br />
self-censorship as the editor seeks to avoid cases in court. 81 In Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia plurality within<br />
media reduces such an effect. 82<br />
There is also concern over the balance between published details <strong>and</strong> the media’s<br />
social responsibility in crime reporting. The Norwegian code of conduct article 4.7 points<br />
out the rule that names <strong>and</strong> pictures <strong>and</strong> other details of identification in court <strong>and</strong> crime<br />
reporting have to be used with caution, <strong>and</strong> only when this is necessary to meet just <strong>and</strong><br />
fair dem<strong>and</strong>s for information. Judgements by the Media Council indicate where the bar is<br />
set in Norwegian practice. In one case the newspaper Nordlys reported a case of domestic<br />
violence including details of the incident <strong>and</strong> about the couple. Beyond the described<br />
course of events the complaints were concerned about publishing of personal information.<br />
Even if they were anonymous, almost everyone in their home district would identify them.<br />
In Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia the right of individuals to be protected from public reporting is highly<br />
regarded. Despite the attempt to conceal the identity of the couple, the Media Council’s<br />
79<br />
The Norwegian <strong>Press</strong> Association, Vær varsom, cut from articles 4.1-4.15.<br />
80<br />
Statens Forvaltningstjeneste, Norges offentlige utredninger : NOU 1996:12 : Medieombud, section 3.1.<br />
81<br />
UNESCO, World Communication <strong>and</strong> Information Report : 1999-2000, pp. 74-75.<br />
82<br />
Eggen, Ytringsfrihet, pp. 604-611; <strong>and</strong> Statens Forvaltningstjeneste, Norges offentlige utredninger : NOU<br />
1996:12 : Medieombud, section 2.1.2.<br />
75
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