We are a small nation that likes to adorn ourselves with our well-functioning democracy, our high degree of trust in the population and great openness in society. Just not when it comes to who wants to influence our politicians in parliament and government. The government comrades the Labor Party and the Center Party, together with the Conservative Party and the Progressive Party, have repeatedly voted down proposals to introduce a lobby register in the Storting. Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, Jonas Gahr Støre, Erna Solberg and Sylvi Listhaug during a debate last year. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB At the latest this winter, they said no to a proposal from Venstre and SV to ask the Presidency of the Storting to investigate such an arrangement. In a democratic state, attempts to influence decision-makers should and must be considered a fundamental right. Actors who want to influence political decisions or gain traction for a cause of the heart work over many years and often in many arenas to build support. This often happens outside the media’s current spotlight. Both the OECD, GRECO (the Council of Europe’s own anti-corruption body) and the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly recommend regulation of lobbying activities. As of today, at least 15 European countries have introduced some form of registration scheme for lobbyists, writes the Storting’s own investigation section in a perspective note published this summer. This spring, they have looked at lobby registers in European countries. The Norwegian Communications Association, together with the Norwegian Press Association, Norwegian Journalist Association, Norwegian Editors’ Association and Transparency International Norway, has worked for a lobby register at the Storting for almost ten years. A number of PR agencies are also positive about such a register. We believe that transparency around political influence is absolutely essential to maintaining trust in our well-functioning democracy. In today’s digital reality with fake news, abuse of artificial intelligence and deep fakes that make it easier for actors with malicious intent to manipulate us, it has become even more important to contribute to increased trust in our political institutions. So why haven’t the politicians from the Labor Party, the Center Party, the Conservative Party and the Progressive Party until now wanted to be open about who they meet when they are at work as elected officials? We have encountered arguments for which solutions can simply be found: “A register at the Storting will cause lobbyists to move the meetings to other places.” We believe that this can easily be solved by recording meetings regardless of where they take place. “Many individuals will be reluctant to make contact about personal matters, when they have to be on an open list.” We believe that meetings with private individuals do not need to be registered. “It is difficult to distinguish what is lobbying and what is not.” We believe that cases of doubt are not a good argument for not registering anything. “A register will impose even more administrative tasks on the politicians.” We believe that a registration scheme must be easily solved with today’s variety of simple digital options. “The administrative practice in Norway takes care of many of the same considerations as a lobby register.” Greco does not agree that record keeping and archiving contribute to increased transparency around lobbying activities. Germany, Ireland and Finland are among the European countries that have introduced some form of lobby register. Finland is so far the only Nordic country that has this, but it is being investigated in Sweden. We believe Norwegian politicians should know their visiting hours. A lobby register will help strengthen our democracy. Continued secrecy weakens us. Published 13.08.2024, at 17.50
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Why should political influence be kept hidden in Norway? – Speech
