Since the election, posts have been published on the Instagram account “borgermesterframnes” that have criticized the mayor and other elected officials in the Westland municipality. It peaked a few weeks ago when condom packages were put out with a picture of mayor Framnes and deputy mayor Øyvind Kyvik (H). This week Stord mayor Sigbjørn Framnes (Frp) reported the Instagram account to the police. – I have a toll limit, and I also have a responsibility for my political colleagues, said the mayor in connection with the police report. Among other things, Kyvik’s family has reacted strongly to condoms. – Both parliamentary politicians, state secretaries, mayors and many other citizens have clearly expressed that there is a limit, writes Kyvik in a text message to news. One of the manipulated photos of mayor Sigbjørn Framnes that has been posted on the Instagram account shows the mayor shirtless with a mayor’s necklace that has been edited into the photo. Photo: Screen dump Encouragement to use condoms in school The police report and the condom announcement are discussed in both Sunnhordland and Stord24, and by TV 2 and VG. The condom announcement comes in the wake of an inflamed case in the municipality, where Litlabø school was closed to save a strained municipal economy and face a decline in the population. In the post, it is indicated that condoms should only be used in the school district where the closure was decided. – School structure is a challenge that many local politicians in Norway will face going forward. It is already a challenge to get enough politicians to fill the electoral lists for the local elections. If they have to put up with bullying and harassment in addition, many will be reluctant to enter local politics, Framnes believes. The police: Stands out as satire But mayor Framnes does not get support from the police. – The case has been dismissed due to a lack of capacity, says police attorney Per Terje Brundtland in the Sør-Vest Police District. On the Instagram account “borgermesterframnes”, mayor Sigbjørn Framnes is compared to Pablo Escobar, among other things. Brundtland points out that the account appears to be more of a satire, and does not contain either threats or other things that are apt to influence politicians. – There are no direct threats involved, says Brundtland. If it had been, the case would have turned out differently, he comments. Sigbjørn Framnes is disappointed that the case has been put aside. – It is sad that cyberbullying and threats in general and especially against politicians are not prioritized, he believes. This is what the person behind the Instagram account says It is currently not clear who is behind the account on Instagram. But in a message to news, “Mayor Framnes” wrote the following: “Hey Olav. Haven’t really spoken to the press since it became a police matter. I think it was a bit special to make a police report live – rather than sending a message if someone reacted to the content. No one has sent a message that something is too gross or distasteful on this account. No one has reported to Instagram either. Go straight to the police. Got to thank for good PR and new followers then.” “I’m fond of satire, and expected that there would be a lot to do with the FRP mayor for the first time. Maybe not that there would be so much to take off. Then I’ll have to shut up again until the sheriff calls.” Satirist: Many politicians are too sensitive Satirist Thomas Teige, who has pretended to be former development minister Dag Inge Ulstein, thinks many politicians are too sensitive. – As long as it is case-oriented, one can go far in satire. There are many politicians who have not realized what they have got themselves into, he says. During a climate demonstration in 2019, Teige went up to the podium and spoke to the demonstrators in attendance, such as Ulstein. Here, satirist Thomas Teige pretends to be a minister. The whole setup was fake. The stunt must have been done with good humor by Ulstein himself. – The most important thing is that one can vouch for the satire. I think the same applies to politicians. If they stand by their political message, then they must also tolerate humor and satire being made of it, he says. Comedian Yousef Hadaoui believes politicians must have tough skin. – They have to tolerate a lot that is within the scope of freedom of expression. Caricature drawings and burning the Koran are both legal, he believes. Adults are rarely exposed to fake accounts In a report from KS it appears that more and more politicians are being exposed to threats and incitement. PST is also troubled. Police Superintendent Kaare Andre Ødegaard in the online patrol in the Sør-Vest Police District tells news that they rarely receive reports of fake accounts against adults. – We often see that accounts are created under false names. But it is more common among young people, says Ødegaard. Published 18.07.2024, at 21.38 Updated 18.07.2024, at 21.48
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The police put aside the police report from the mayor for a fake Instagram account – news Vestland
