Report: "Covering the Debate on Racism in Norwegian Media"

November 3 2020

A media analysis of racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fritt Ord invites the public to a live-streamed launch event on Wednesday, 11 November 2020, from 9 to 10.30 a.m.

How has Norwegian media’s coverage of racism been impacted as a result of George Floyd’s death and the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement? Which themes are most prominent when the media write about racism? Which voices are managing to be heard in the debate on racism as it unfolds with renewed strength? How do the various media cover the topic?

These are among the questions Retriever, Scandinavia’s largest supplier of media monitoring and media analysis, answers in the report “Covering the Debate on Racism in Norwegian Media, 1 May 2020 – 31 August 2020”, commissioned by Fritt Ord.

The full report can be downloaded here: Rasismedebatten i norske medier 2020

Based on an analysis of more than 2400 news items, debate posts, editorials and commentaries, the report takes an in-depth look at the coverage of racism, George Floyd and Black Lives Matter in Norwegian national and regional media, as well as in a selection of alternative media.

Besides documenting a substantial increase in the coverage of racism, the analysis also reveals a clear personification of the debate. Further, it shows how the press itself constitutes a significant group of stakeholders in the debate on racism by virtue of a large number of editorials and commentaries.

The report will be presented by Ane Kathrine Strand, assistant head of analysis at Retriever, and Malene Augestad, media analyst at Retriever.

The launch will be moderated by Yohan Shanmugaratnam, author of “We’re still breathing” and foreign correspondent for Klassekampen.

The seminar will be live-streamed on Fritt Ord’s website and Facebook page. Physical participation by invitation only.

News

Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2025

March 3 2025

In collaboration with the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrates the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalists and media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary that promote freedom of the press through their investigative and independent reporting are eligible to be nominated for the Free Media Awards.

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.