Flemming Rose and Vebjørn Selbekk honoured with the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute

September 22 2015

On Tuesday, 22 September, Flemming Rose and Vebjørn Selbekk were awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute. The two newspaper editors were honoured for their firm defence of freedom of expression throughout 10 years of caricature controversy.

Read the complete grounds provided given by the Fritt Ord Foundation’s Board here.

The programme featured speeches by Frank Rossavik (member of the Fritt Ord Foundation’s Board), Flemming Rose and Vebjørn Selbekk. Musical interludes were provided by Tore Augestad and Stian Carstensen.

  • Frank Rossavik’s speech, entitled “Freedom of Expression is the Mother of all Freedoms”, can be read here: link | pdf
  • Flemming Rose’s speech is available here: link | pdf
  • Vebjørn Selbekk’s speech can be found here: link | pdf

A video recording of the award ceremony can be viewed on the Fritt Ord Foundation’s YouTube channel. The first speech begins at the 4 minute, 18 second mark.

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News

Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Belarusian journalists and media to receive five Free Media Awards for 2026

September 3 2026

This year’s prize laureates for the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius are:
The investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkack from Ukraine
The investigative media outlet iFact from Georgia
The online media Factor TV from Armenia
The online media Verstka from Russia (in exile)
The journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau from Belarus (imprisoned)

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

August 30 2026

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute 2026

August 18 2026

The rap duo Karpe has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for giving voice to the experiences of many young people from minority backgrounds. Through the language of rap, they are expanding the space for the expression of identity and belonging.

The 2025/26 Monitor survey

June 17 2026

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the Institute for Social Research (ISF) invite you to the launch of a report and a subsequent discussion on Monday, 8 June 2026, from 9.00 to 11.00 am, at Fritt Ord’s premises at Uranienborgveien 2 in Oslo.

Where do people draw the line when it comes to freedom of expression, and what do they believe to be the greatest threats to an informed debate at a time characterised by unrest, crises and international conflicts? Do they feel there is sufficient diversity of opinion and enough room for divergent viewpoints? And how do people assess access to truthful and relevant information in a media landscape featuring new formats, new voices and artificial intelligence?