“No one and nothing must limit the freedom of speech,” says Culture Minister of Norway

“Freedom of speech is essential. This is undeniable for us. Journalists should have the freedom to provide information. No one and nothing can limit this freedom,” assures Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality Annette Trettebergstuen.

“We know that reliable and independent mass media are actually vital for democracy, sustainable development, and peace. Instead, we see that freedom of expression and the press are under pressure in many countries. According to the latest Reporters Without Borders report, the situation is very poor in a record-breaking number of countries, 28,” said the minister in an interview for Volodymyr Buha, a correspondent of the Niezalezna.pl publication (Poland)/ member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).

According to Annette Trettebergstuen, international work to protect journalists and free media is now more important than ever. Therefore, through UN-mandated UNESCO, Norway supports global efforts for freedom of expression, media development, creative freedom, and cultural heritage.

” Among other things, UNESCO carries out important work to protect the freedom of the press in Ukraine and supports the creation of Journalists’ Solidarity Centers in different parts of the country in cooperation with the NUJU,” stressed Annette Trettebergstuen. “The Norwegian Association of Journalists, together with the European Federation of Journalists, is also concerned over protecting journalists in Ukraine. The Norwegian Institute of Journalism has conducted a training session for journalists in Ukraine on preparing reports using mobile phones.”

According to the Minister of Culture of Norway, the main goal of Norwegian media policy is to ensure freedom of speech and media pluralism. According to the country’s constitution, the government promotes “open and enlightened public discourse” – both offline and online. Media freedom and diversity are ensured by national regulations and government funding to promote high-quality media throughout Norway. In 2020, a new law concerning the editorial independence and responsibility of journalistic media controlled by editors (The Media Liability Act) entered into force. Its purpose is to “promote open and informed public debate by ensuring editorial independence in the management of media support.” The Norwegian Media Authority, a regulatory body under the Ministry of Culture, monitors and regularly reports on diversity in ownership, content, and media use.

The minister also touched on issues of support for Ukrainian refugees in Norway. There are currently about 40,000 of them there. In particular, in cooperation with Ukrainian publishing houses and the Embassy of Norway, the National Library of Norway purchased Ukrainian literature. This is one of the steps to support Ukrainians in Norway. They will be able to read Ukrainian, being far from their native home. Also, the Norwegian Association of Translators and NORLA (the Agency for the Promotion of Norwegian Literature Abroad) receive a grant to organize a Norwegian-Ukrainian translation workshop. The texts created by the workshop participants will be published in Mellom magazine Ukraina-issue 2/2023. In addition, a series of concerts is held in Norway with the participation of modern Ukrainian and Polish artists with an emphasis on the performance of Ukrainian music.

“Our government has developed a program that promotes the rapid integration of Ukrainians into Norwegian society through learning the language and traditions of Norway,” said Annette Trettebergstuen. “Communicating with Ukrainians who are now forced to stay in Norway, I was impressed by how strong-minded, goal-oriented, open, and sincere these people are. They self-organize well and group together. They have a good education, try to learn Norwegian as quickly as possible, find a job, and be useful to the society that has accepted them. At the same time, Ukrainians try not to forget their national traditions and tell Norwegians about them with interest. This is impressive and respectable.”

Information about the author of the interview. Volodymyr Buha is a Ukrainian journalist and a member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. Due to his health state, he could take his family to Norway. Volodymyr works as a correspondent for the Polish publication Niezależna. In March 2023, he became a guest of the Congress of the National Union of Journalists of Norway also attended by NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko and NUJU First Secretary Lina Kushch.

NUJU Information Service