The autumn scandal book about the Labor Party’s inner life was mentioned 389 times in September and October, according to the media database Retriever. Among other things, the authors were accused of “methodological failure” and received strong reactions for their extensive use of anonymous sources. Several of the people mentioned in the book have pointed out what they believe to be factual errors. The authors were also criticized because those mentioned in the book were not allowed to respond to claims from around 70 anonymous sources before the book went to press. Now Jørgen Gilbrant and Steinar Suvatne are announcing PFU complaints against several media. BRÅK: The authors had to endure harsh criticism of their own working methods when the book Partiet was launched in the autumn. Photo: Mirwais Moquim / news – Impossible to get through First out of the pile of complaints is VG’s podcast “Mediebobler”, which in an episode published on 12 October discusses the book publication. – We are complaining about the podcast for a number of incorrect claims that we never had the opportunity to respond to in advance, says co-author Jørgen Gilbrant to news. He says that in the podcast episode it is claimed that the publisher Gyldendal has apologized to individuals mentioned in the book, which he says is not true. – And they say that the book is full of mistakes, that the book’s story is wrong, and we now see that that is also not true, says Suvatne and refers to last week’s media reports about internal dissatisfaction with Jonas Gahr Støre. COMPLAINT: Steinar Suvatne, a regular political reporter in Dagbladet, believes several media outlets have committed press ethics violations in the coverage of the book he has written. Photo: Mirwais Moquim / news The two believe that podcasts have become a press ethical gray area where it seems that more media take greater liberties than in print. Gilbrant says dialogue with VG’s editor Gard Steiro has not led. – We tried to get him to understand this. It was absolutely impossible to get through. So it is important for us to get this complaint in and get it processed, in order to go up against the ethical regulations around podcasts. VG denies that they have committed violations of press ethics. See answer further down in the case. – Have written a book outside of press ethics news meets the author duo from Dagbladet at the Christmas market at Linderud gård. They themselves have been open about the fact that they did not follow the press’s Vær Varsom poster when working on the book. Among other things, the mentioned did not receive an offer of simultaneous countermeasures before the book went to press. DID NOT FOLLOW THE RULES: Jørgen Gilbrant says press ethics do not apply to their book, but complains to PFU about violations of the rules they themselves did not follow. Photo: Mirwais Moquim / news Now they are complaining to other media outlets for allegedly doing the same thing they themselves have done. – It’s a bit comical that this is exactly what you yourself are criticized for? – That is very easy to answer. VG follows press ethics and the “be careful” poster, says Gilbrant. – We have written a book that is outside press ethics for many good reasons. The book industry has chosen a set of ethical regulations where this does not belong. – So you complain to VG for a breach of press ethics that you have not followed yourself? – Just like all other private individuals in Norway, yes. – Surprising for us It has been a busy autumn. The two say that for several weeks they did not have the chance to comment on each individual press release because the pressure was so high. Now they are warning of washing up and rounds of complaints against several media in the Press’ Professional Committee (PFU). – It has been surprising to us that the press, when they criticize us for not having followed press ethics in a book where we do not have to follow press ethics, broke press ethics so many times, says Gilbrant. – At least Aftenposten, Bergens Tidende and TV 2 are also going to complain. – Do you need even more enemies in the press? – I cannot understand why anyone should be unfriended by the fact that you must follow press ethics. That is why you have the regulations, for a good reason. – Disagree that a breach of press ethics has been committed, news has been in contact with VG’s editor-in-chief Gard Steiro. Political editor Frøy Gudbrandsen responds on behalf of the newspaper: – Suvatne and Gilbrant are of course completely free to complain to VG before the PFU, but we disagree that there has been any breach of press ethics here. Out of respect for the PFU, we do not comment on details of matters to be dealt with by the committee. news has also been in contact with the editors of Aftenposten, TV 2 and Bergens Tidende. – It is difficult for me to comment on this when I do not know what they are going to complain about, but it is of course free for anyone who wants to complain to TV 2 to PFU, writes TV2’s news editor Karianne Solbrække in an SMS. – It is still unclear what the authors think is problematic in terms of press ethics in our coverage. They are welcome to contact us and elaborate on this, says BT’s editor-in-chief Trond Olav Skrunes. Aftenposten’s editor-in-chief Trine Eilertsen does not want to comment on the case. Published 09.12.2024, at 18.02
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