Self-Regulation: policing the Media by the Media

1. Self-Regulation: policing the Media by the Media • How the Norwegian Press Complaints Commision (PCC) works • ’Breach of the code’. What kind of ethical questions are difficult for the media? • To keep a system of self-regulation. Audgunn Oltedal.Assistant Professor. Faculty of Journalism,Library and Information Science and Centre for the Study of Professions. Audgunn.oltedal@jbi.hio.no

2. Organizations behind The Norwegian PCC: • Umbrellaassociation: The Norwegian Press Association • Objective: Supervising and furthering ethical and professional standard of the press in Norway • Guidelines: The Code of Ethics, The Editors Code Membergroupsare: - NorwegianUnion ofJournalists - Association ofNorwegianEditors - NorwegianMedia Businesses’ Association

3. All media behind PCC (press, tv, radio, periodical publications) • Members representing the press are always in the majority • The PCC is always led by either an editor or a journalist • PCC consistsof: • Four from themedia e.g. representatives from news and documentary depts. • Three eminent membersofNorwegiansociety:e.g. philosophers, peopleactive in publicdebate

4. 2008 - number of complaints: 314 The secretariat prepare the case. Checking formalities: content from the harmed, is it too old? Is it journalism? Writing a document with summaries of: • The article(s), programs etc. • The complaint • The letters from the contending parties (their arguments) • A proposal for the commissions decision

5. PPC adjudicated on 165 complaints How are cases usually judged? • 1. Breach of the code of conduct (75 cases) • 2. Criticism of media (6 cases) • 3. No breach of the code of conduct (84 cases) • Penalty: If the commission concludes with breach or criticism, the medium has to publish the commission’s decision. • Some go to Court

6. The difficult ethical questions • Be critical in thechoiceofsources/correctinformation(3.2 codeofethics) 17 • Fairness and thoughtfulness in contents and presentation(4.1 codeofethics) 19 • Headlinesthatgoesbeyondwhat is beingrelated in thetext(4.4 codeofethics) 13 • Identityofchildren/consequenceof media focusing(4.8 codeofethics) 8 • Simultaneousreplay(4.14 codeofethics) 20

7. Case: Spetalen vs Dagbladet

8. Case: Spetalen vs Dagbladet • Concerning assertions of disturbance of the peace at a restaurant and fighting in a public place • PPC: Dagbladet ’breach of the code’; use of anonymous sources • In court: Dagbladet sentenced, must pay 35000 dollars. Editor pays 3350 dollars

9. To keep a system of self-regulation PCC is onlyone part ofmaintaining a free and independent press. • Access to officialinformation (OpennessCouncil) • Freedomofspeech and freedomofthe press • Lawsthatsecurepressfreedom • Press ethics • A self-regulated press ensures a self-critical press in workingwith press ethical problems - e.g. reportsoncrimejournalism, watchdogjournalism and chequebookjournalism • Stand up for journalists at risk

10. Kokkvold-Selbekk;Muhammad Cartoon controversy Per-EdgardKokkvold, Secretary General The Norwegian Press Complaints Commission Vebjørn Selbekk: Editor ofMagazinet