On 11 September, this year’s municipal and county council elections take place. Before that time, the stage is set for a total of seven different election broadcasts on the local channel TV Østfold. In the past, all parties standing for election have been allowed to promote their political messages on the channel. They should be allowed to do that this year too – if they leafed through the party box. Documentation news has gained access to shows that the channel demanded several thousand kroner in exchange for TV time. “To cover production costs, we have to charge a price of NOK 4,000 per party that wants to participate”, says an e-mail, which was sent out to a number of political parties. news receives confirmation from several chart-toppers in Østfold that they have received the e-mail from the channel. – It costs money to do this. I had an understanding that it is now free to advertise for political parties on TV. Then I thought we could take a small fee for the production, says TV Østfold’s editor Kjetil Aabø to news. According to the plans, the election broadcasts were to be broadcast from TV Østfold’s studio in these premises in Halden. Now it is uncertain whether the broadcasts will be anything. Photo: Rahand Bazaz / news Illegal It is illegal to sponsor news and current affairs programmes, according to the Broadcasting Act. – Sponsorship is defined in the law as a contribution to producing or broadcasting a programme. Therefore, this will not be allowed, says director of the Norwegian Media Authority Mari Velsand. Director of the Norwegian Media Authority Mari Velsand. Photo: Mathias Fossum / Norwegian Media Authority In Norway, there is also a general ban on political advertising on TV. – If a TV channel charges political parties, in exchange for them being allowed to appear on the broadcaster’s airwaves to promote party political messages, then it will also quickly come into conflict with this ban, says Velsand. Dropping demands for payment TV Østfold’s editor Kjetil Aabø was not aware of. According to him, parties have already agreed to participate for a fee. Certain parties have also declined. – We’ll see if we have to drop the broadcasts, or if we should stand up for free and do the propaganda for the parties, as we did four years ago. We have to take a look around and see if we can afford to do it for free, says Aabø. TV Østfold is run as a foundation and has around 25 volunteers who contribute to the production. In 2021, the channel had a profit of around NOK 50,000, according to the annual accounts. After news contacted the Norwegian Media Authority and TV Østfold, the parties have also been in contact with each other. – TV Østfold has confirmed to us in writing that they will not demand remuneration from the political parties, writes Velsand in a text message to news on Wednesday afternoon. The Norwegian Media Authority will therefore not follow up the case further. As 4 years ago, TVØstfold invites all parties in Østfold that present lists for the county council election 2023 to participate and present what they are running for (…).To cover production costs, we have to charge a price of NOK 4,000 per party that wants to participate (…).There will be separate political TV programs for Halden, Sarpsborg, Fredrikstad, Moss, Råde and Indre Østfold municipality, as well as a program for Østfold County Council. Refused to participate The top list for the Socialist Left Party (SV) in Indre Østfold reacts strongly to the fact that the parties were asked to pay to participate. – Debates are important for our citizens, and then all parties must be given the opportunity to vote. Not everyone can afford to pay, says Åse Kristine Heien. She says it is out of the question for SV to pay for TV time. The Green Party (MDG) says the same. – We have already declined because we have used up our money. It becomes too stupid when we have to pay to join, says manager of Indre Østfold MDG Svein Syversen. – I have not experienced anything similar in my 30-40 years in politics, he adds. Nor has the Norwegian Media Authority come across anything similar. – No one with us can remember similar cases like this, writes Velsand in a text message to news.
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TV Østfold would charge parties for participation in election broadcasts – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
