The series “Ingen elsker Bamsegutt” has been criticized by the Press’ Professional Committee (PFU) for violating three different points in the Be careful poster. 2.2 About independence and integrity 3.2 About information control and breadth of sources 4.8 About taking children into account news acknowledged in the corresponding violation of points 3.2 and 4.8. PFU leader Anne Weider Aasen says the documentary falls within the core of the press’s social mission and that the idea and intention were good. – But it cannot be trumped by putting aside other press ethical considerations. Praise for Strømøy Dagbladet editor Frode Hansen says he had doubts until now that news had ended up on the right side of the line and that Strømøy was transparent about his role in the series. – I would like to praise Tore Strømøy for addressing ordinary people’s struggle against the system. Committee member Nina Fjeldheim agrees with Hansen and believes that the presenter has been clear about his own role throughout. – You can say a lot about Tore Strømøy, but he is very clear about what he does. It is not hidden at all. It does not weaken the credibility of journalism, quite the opposite, says Fjeldheim. She still thinks it is problematic that news has made itself a party to an immigration case by assisting the man’s wife in her application to UDI. As for the lack of mention of the verdict, she says that she understands that news did it, but that it was still not right. – There were many good reasons not to do it. But it was wrong. But I think the assessments were well reasoned, but he did not have enough critical objections, says Fjeldheim. – Good argument Gunnar Kagge from Aftenposten says he would have liked more complaints about other aspects of the documentary to get a full review of several aspects of the series. He believes point 2.2 on role mixing is in principle the most interesting. – I think news has a good argument for why they do what they do. Kagge nevertheless believes that news’s role in fundraising and assistance in the application for a residence permit suggests that news has also broken good press etiquette on this point. Several of the members stated that news made itself a party to an immigration case by helping with the application, and that this should have been done by someone else – for example the man’s lawyer. The committee members believe that the exposure of the man’s son was too extensive and stigmatizing, even if the parents gave their consent to it. Did not inform about morality judgment Elin Floberghagen in the Norwegian Press Association used the right of initiative and complained about the documentary “No one loves Bamsegut” to the Press’ Professional Committee. The documentary series was depublished after only one week, after it became known that the man who took part in the series had a conditional morality sentence against him. news was made aware of the verdict one month before publication of the series, but chose not to mention it. – We have given the public an incomplete picture, said broadcasting manager Vibeke Fürst Haugen at the press conference on 22 November last year when it became clear that the series had been withdrawn. Internal review Ethics editor at news Per Arne Kalbakk says he thinks it was a good, thorough and nuanced discussion at PFU. – It is no great surprise that we were defeated on two points, says Kalbakk. As previously mentioned, news had objections to the violation of the point about dual roles and ties that can affect the independence and credibility of the editors (point 2.2) – In this documentary, Tore Strømøy had an active supporting role with a stated goal of helping the main character home. There is another point in the Vær varsom poster which is about showing openness about underlying conditions, and there is also a tradition that there is room to take a personal point of view as a journalist and presenter, says Kalbakk. The documentary series has also been up for consideration by the Broadcasting Council after receiving 300 complaints. In addition, an internal review is ongoing at news. Media diversity and cooperation editor Hege Iren Frantzen and news manager (and PFU member) Stein Bjøntegård lead the work, according to Journalisten.
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– Can’t put press ethical considerations aside – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
