A new era for investigative journalism in Norway

January 25 2024

Local and regional newspapers are now conducting the type of investigations and making discoveries that used to be expected only from major national media. How did that happen? Fritt Ord invites the public to a debate seminar at 10 a.m. on 14 February.

A deputy mayor in Tromsø who speculates in the real estate market. Mapping major differences between urban districts with the help of artificial intelligence. Tonnes of meticulously sorted plastic waste from Norwegian municipalities that are sent straight to incineration plants in Germany.

A new era is dawning for investigative journalism in Norway, featuring a myriad of minor investigative projects with major consequences.

The key to success is close collaboration between editorial teams locally, nationally and internationally.
In recent years, the cross-border journalism cooperative ‘Investigate Europe’ has carried out more than 20 major investigative projects in 12 countries.

The Center for Investigative Journalism (SUJO) at the University of Bergen has contributed to 65 published investigative projects in Norway.

The Fritt Ord Foundation invites the public to a debate seminar featuring members of the press who will share their experiences from the European plastic project “Wasteland”. The newspaper iTromsø explains how, as a small local newspaper, it documents social differences by using big data systematically, and with the help of artificial intelligence.

Time:
Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 10.00-11.30 am
Location:
Fritt Ord Foundation, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo

Panel:
Per Christian Magnus, head of SUJO
Kristine Holmelid, head of reporting at SUJO
Ingeborg Eliassen and Amund Trellevik, Investigate Europe
Rune Ytreberg, data editor at iTromsø

Moderator:
Tellef Raabe, researcher at SNF/Norwegian School of Economics

The event will be live-streamed and filmed for later publication on Fritt Ord’s website.

Fritt Ord provides support for the Center for Investigative Journalism and Investigate Europe.

Explanations of photos:

Headline photo:
Fom the plastic project shows Driver Agnieszka Walasek unloading pre-sorted plastic waste from Asker at the collection facility at Alnabru before it is transported by train to Germany.
Photo gallery: Development programme for investigative managers at the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). Photo: SUJO. / The city of Tromsø. Photo: iTromsø. / Per Christian Magnus lecturing. Photo: SUJO. / Power on Askøy SUJO helped Vestnytt and the residents of Askøy to survey the distribution of power in the community of Askøy. Screen shot from Vestnytt. / Renovation worker Arild Hindøy collecting plastic waste at Båtevika in Florø. Photo: Arne Hjorth Johansen, Firdaposten.

News

Art and Institutions: “I Demand a Museum to Feel its Own Floors Tremble When Other Museums are Destroyed in War”

February 12 2025

Saturday 22 February 2025 at Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, from 14.30 to 16.30 h.

Conversation with Adam Budak (Poland/Germany), Stefanie Carp (Germany), Matej Drlička (Slovakia), Andrea Geyer (USA) og Sarah Lookofsky (USA/Norway). Ingerid Salvesen is moderator.

Across the world, cultural institutions are under increasing pressure. Censorship, self-censorship, drastic funding cuts, and political and sponsorship interference are on the rise. Former and present institutional directors – with personal experiences of political pressure, cancellation and censorship from different geographic contexts – will discuss the limitations and capacities of art institutions in the present.

Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute to Sara Gaulin

February 5 2025

Sarah Gaulin (30) is being awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for her courageous and principled defence of freedom of expression in the face of extremism, gang crime and negative social control.
As a prominent voice, Gaulin has drawn attention to some of the most demanding and controversial social challenges of our time.

Cultural criticism for a new era

January 25 2025

Jacob Geller is a prominent video essayist on YouTube who has broad appeal. Based on computer games, he gets million of viewers to embrace in-depth analyses in which he romps through topics such as fear and art, architecture, politics and social issues.

Meet him in Oslo on 12 February in a panel discussion with Norwegian journalists, as they discuss how cultural journalism can be rejuvenated without being light-weight or trivial.

There will also be a workshop featuring Jacob Geller in Oslo on 14 February.

The film ‘Hopeless Mother’ addresses a taboo – New awards in December 2024

January 9 2025

The film ‘Hopeless Mother’ addresses a taboo – “I just wanted to run away from my family”. New awards in December 2024
Director Bente Johanne Moe and Fotspor Film received funding for the documentary film ‘Hopeless mother’ about the shameful taboo topic of postpartum depression.
“The film will contribute to greater openness,” comments Moe.
Here is the list of new awards made by Fritt Ord in December 2024 in response to applications for NOK 100 000 or less.