A Right to Media? Lorie M. Graham - Columbia Law School

498 COLUMBIA HUMAN RIGHTS LAW REVIEW [41:429
demonstrated through recent constitutional reform. In Norway, the
constitution states that “[i]t is the responsibility of the authorities of
the State to create conditions enabling the Sami people to preserve
and develop its language, culture and way of life.” 283 This can provide
legal and political protection for Sami language and culture, which in
turn can support governmental involvement in the development of
Sami media as a means of preserving language and culture. 284
Similar protection can be found in the Finnish constitution, which
speaks to the question of cultural and linguistic autonomy. 285
Moreover, Finland, Sweden, and Norway have all adopted Sami
language acts. 286 These acts recognize, to varying degrees, Sami
languages as official languages throughout the region. 287
These legislative and constitutional initiatives are important
steps to promoting substantive cultural and linguistic rights for the
Sami. However, constitutional and legislative acknowledgment does
not by itself guarantee that meaningful change will necessarily
follow. In fact, the Sami have faced considerable obstacles to the
creation of their own media.
Sami media receives government funding in all three
Scandinavian countries and there are efforts underway in countries
such as Norway to increase funding for Sami newspapers and
television programs. 288 However, inconsistencies in funding regimes
create challenges to the viability of Sami newspapers and other forms
of media throughout the region. Similarly, there is a lack of funding
and technical assistance for Sami media professionals. For instance,
while the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation has financed Sami
283. Constitution art. 110(a) (Nor.).
284. Id.
285. Constitution of Finland § 17 (“The Sami, as an indigenous people, as
well as the Roma and other groups, have the right to maintain and develop their
own language and culture.”). See also Act on the Sami Parliament, No. 974 § 9
(1995) (Fin.) (providing that the national authorities have an obligation to
negotiate “with the Sami Parliament on all extensive and important questions
that can directly or distinctly influence the Samis’ position as an indigenous
people.”).
286. Act on the Sami Parliament, No. 974 § 3 (1995) (Fin.); The Sami Act,
No.56 § 2-6 (1987) (Nor.); Sami Parliament Act (SFS 1992:1433) (Swed.). See
Regional Characteristics Of Sápmi And The Sami People, supra note 280.
287. Act on the Sami Parliament, No. 974 § 3 (1995) (Fin.); The Sami Act,
No.56 § 2-6 (1987) (Nor.); Sami Parliament Act (SFS 1992:1433) (Swed.). See
Regional Characteristics Of Sápmi And The Sami People, supra note 278.
288. Regional Characteristics Of Sápmi And The Sami People, supra
note 280.