In April, the magazine Filter Nyheter made a report about several members of the so-called “Active Club” network. The groups began to establish themselves in Norway last year. The network has caused concern among PST for wanting a neo-Nazi, National Socialist system of government. Filter Nyheter’s report names several members of the group who are working to recruit new young men to the organisation. Editor Harald Klungtveit was reported four times after publication of the case and complained to the Press’ Professional Committee (PFU). The reports were dismissed, but one of the dismissals was appealed and overturned by the state attorney. It was the website Uten Filter that first reported the reversal of the closure on Monday. Right-wing extremists use mountain trips, chess-playing and martial arts to recruit new members. Several Norwegian “clubs” have appeared in social media. Graphics: Screenshot / X / MONTAGE: news Editors’ Association concerned State Attorney Stein Vale writes in the endorsement sheet:[F]the detention is obviously on the borderline of what is punishable, since conflicting considerations such as the right to privacy and the consideration of freedom of expression […]». news has been in contact with Klungtveit, who does not want to comment on the details of the case as of now. But the Norwegian Editors’ Association reacts strongly to the wording in the document from the state attorney. – It sounds like the investigation is in full swing and that a conclusion has been reached, says general secretary of the Norwegian Editors’ Association Reidun Kjelling Nybø. In a letter to the Oslo state prosecutor’s office, the Editors’ Association criticizes the prosecution for a lack of understanding of the media’s role in society. CRITICAL TO THE POLICE: Secretary General of the Norwegian Editors’ Association Reidun Kjelling Nybø. Photo: Mariam Butt / NTB scanpix She believes the report comes across as “completely ordinary investigative journalism”. Once an investigation has been opened, she hopes the matter will be resolved quickly. – If the matter drags on in time, it could give Filter Nyheter, and the media’s role in society in general, a chilling effect. It can seem intimidating to sources and their willingness to speak to the press, says Kjelling Nybø. State Attorney Stein Vale emphasizes to news that the endorsement is not a conclusion. – The conclusions are drawn after a case has been investigated, not before, he says. Three weeks passed before he was notified. Klungtveit only received the endorsement from the state attorney on Monday afternoon, after making contact himself, even though the decision is dated 4 June. – The public prosecutor writes that it is regrettable that no one gave me that message, but I am a bit puzzled by the process, says the Filter Nyheter editor. Harald Klungtveit was only informed about the reversal of the closure three weeks after the decision had been made. Photo: NTB When he was first reported, he maintained that the reporting is in line with ordinary investigative journalism. He still stands for that. – It was as expected that the police dropped these reports quickly, and based on the state attorney’s endorsement, it is not possible to understand what would provide a basis for anything else, so it is something we have to find out, says Klungtveit. Fears police interference Central to the investigation is to uncover whether the victim has taken part in one or more films that he has known will be used publicly for recruitment purposes. Another question is whether all the material Filter Nyheter has published is taken from open sources or not. Kjelling Nybø in the Editors’ Association draws lines to previous cases where the police have requested information from the media. In that case, the position is crystal clear: – We have clear rules for that in press ethics. Unpublished material is not delivered, she says. The Norwegian Editors’ Association recently chastised the police who themselves reported an alternative news website for publishing a video of the Karmøy murder. The Secretary-General believes that both cases are fundamentally important because they concern editorial independence. – You can also ask yourself whether this would have happened to Aftenposten or news, says Kjelling Nybø. Published 24.06.2024, at 19.07 Updated 24.06.2024, at 19.17
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Police investigate editor after report – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
