Promote Freedom of Expression and Independent Media (NO0051)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Norway National Action Plan 2016-2018
Action Plan Cycle: 2016
Status: Inactive
Institutions
Lead Institution: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Support Institution(s): NA
Policy Areas
Civic Space, Defending Journalists and Activists, Human Rights, Legislation & Regulation, Legislative, Media & Telecommunications, Public Participation, Sustainable Development GoalsIRM Review
IRM Report: Norway End-of-Term Report 2016-2018, Norway Mid-Term Report 2016-2018
Starred: No
Early Results: Did Not Change
Design i
Verifiable: No
Relevant to OGP Values: Access to Information
Implementation i
Description
Status quo or problem/issue to be addressed: Information is an integral part of freedom of expression. Information is crucial for people to be able to make informed decisions about their own lives, and so that they are able to understand and exercise their rights. Freedom of expression is under pressure from both state and non-state actors. Some trends: Increase in the number of attacks against individuals who express themselves, e.g. journalists, bloggers and artists. Legislation is abused to prevent criticism and silence dissent. Public access to information is restricted. Internet censorship, filtering, blocking and monitoring. Increasing self-censorship. Concentration of ownership in media limits diversity. In September 2015, the UN member states adopted the new sustainable development goals (SDGs). Goal 16.10 deals with access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms. Access to information is one of three theme areas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' new strategy on freedom of expression. Main Objectives The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall - initiate the development of international standards for the right to information, - contribute to the development of and compliance with legislation at the national level concerning the right to access information, advocate for more transparency and better access to information in the United Nations system and in other international organizations. Brief Description of Commitment (140 character limit): Access to information as a priority area in foreign and development policy
IRM Midterm Status Summary
7. Measures in foreign and development policy to promote freedom of expression and independent media
Commitment Text:
Status quo or problem/issue to be addressed: Information is an integral part of freedom of expression. Information is crucial for people to be able to make informed decisions about their own lives, and so that they are able to understand and exercise their rights. Freedom of expression is under pressure from both state and non-state actors. Some trends: Increase in the number of attacks against individuals who express themselves, e.g. journalists, bloggers and artists. Legislation is abused to prevent criticism and silence dissent. Public access to information is restricted. Internet censorship, filtering, blocking and monitoring. Increasing self-censorship. Concentration of ownership in media limits diversity. In September 2015, the UN member states adopted the new sustainable development goals (SDGs). Goal 16.10 deals with access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms. Access to information is one of three theme areas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' new strategy on freedom of expression.
Main Objectives: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall - initiate the development of international standards for the right to information, - contribute to the development of and compliance with legislation at the national level concerning the right to access information, advocate for more transparency and better access to information in the United Nations system and in other international organizations.
Brief Description of Commitment: Access to information as a priority area in foreign and development policy
Responsible institution: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Supporting institution(s): Not specified
Start date: 18 January 2016 End date: 2017
Context and Objectives
In January 2016, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a new strategy for freedom of expression and an independent media.[Note: See https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/promote_freedom/id2470543/. The strategy document is available in Norwegian only. To download the document, visit https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/departementene/ud/vedlegg/mr/strategi_ytringsfrihet.pdf. ] The strategy addresses how Norway shall promote freedom of expression in its foreign and development policy. Access to information is one of three main aspects in the strategy. This OGP commitment flows directly from the strategy, although OGP is not mentioned in the strategy document, or elsewhere where the strategy is discussed.
The commitment addresses a challenge in the international arena, namely, the right of access to information around the globe. While generally relevant to the OGP value access to information, a weak link to OGP values exists in the domestic context. CSOs in Norway and the OGP council consider this commitment to be irrelevant within the context of a national action plan.[Note: Meeting with OGP council members, Guro Slettemark and Joachim Nahem, 24 November 2017.] That the OGP council voiced its opposition to this commitment is acknowledged by the government PoC for OGP.[Note: Telephone interview with OGP PoC Tom Arne Nygaard, Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, 8 December 2017.] The commitment aims to develop and promote international standards for rights to access information in general, through consultation with civil society and other states. It further seeks to address compliance with national legislation regarding access to information around the globe, through the promotion of a multilateral initiative for the right to information.
The specificity of this commitment is considered low. Although the activities proposed are verifiable to a certain extent, it is not clear what they would entail (in other words, who and how many will be consulted, and what such a multilateral initiative would look like).
If fully implemented, the potential impact would be global support for Norway’s increased attention to protect the right to information, freedom of speech, and an independent media. It would be up to the discretionary powers of the states involved—not Norway—to make any significant changes, however.
Completion
The commitment is completed to a limited degree, as the milestone to present a multilateral initiative on the 'right to information' is no longer on the table.[Note: Telephone interview with commitment PoC, senior advisor Siri Andersen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 December 2017.] The MFA continues to promote freedom of speech in various international meetings, such as in sessions in the UN Human Rights Council.[Note: 36th session, where Norway’s delegation gave a speech. The speech was retrieved from the Public electronic records, December 2017.] According to the MFA, Norway works together with other states such as Mexico and Germany, and with the international NGO Article 19.[Note: Telephone interview with commitment PoC, senior advisor Siri Andersen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 December 2017.] No Norwegian CSOs have been involved in this commitment.[Note: Ibid.] In essence, the ambition to promote a multilateral initiative for access to information is not something Norway believes it will get support for, hence, the country stresses the importance of freedom of speech internationally by other means.[Note: Ibid.] In this work, the commitment PoC ascertains that the OGP framework and partner countries have provided a useful network.[Note: Ibid.]
A search of the OEP shows that no new documents on the freedom of expression strategy have been archived since its launch. A search for the term 'ytringsfrihet' (freedom of expression in Norwegian) generated 93 hits, archived as incoming, outgoing, or internal MFA documents. The IRM researcher did not request all the documents, but document titles and case titles (which, according to the Archival Act, should be 'meaningful') indicate that no documents were archived between 1 January 2016 and 29 November 2017. This suggests that the MFA is not working actively to promote a multilateral initiative.[Note: Most documents in the set of hits seem to be related to specific projects on freedom of expression that the MFA supports. In itself, that could be an indication of an active approach to supporting the work for freedom of expression, which is commendable. Concerning the OGP commitment to work to develop a multilateral initiative, no documents seem to have been archived.]
The IRM researcher acknowledges that the presentation of such an initiative requires substantial international support—as well as the right timing. In essence, this points in the direction of not being a commitment that fits the OGP action plan guidance. It is not relevant for domestic OGP work and relies too heavily on international support; the Norwegian government alone would not be able to deliver this result on time.
Next Steps
This commitment is not recommended to be carried forward to the next action plan, mainly because it is irrelevant to access to information in Norway. However, the IRM researcher expects that Norway will continue working on these issues as measures in its foreign policy.
IRM End of Term Status Summary
7. Measures in foreign and development policy to promote freedom of expression and independent media
Commitment Text:
Status quo or problem/issue to be addressed: Information is an integral part of freedom of expression. Information is crucial for people to be able to make informed decisions about their own lives, and so that they are able to understand and exercise their rights. Freedom of expression is under pressure from both state and non-state actors. Some trends: Increase in the number of attacks against individuals who express themselves, e.g. journalists, bloggers and artists. Legislation is abused to prevent criticism and silence dissent. Public access to information is restricted. Internet censorship, filtering, blocking and monitoring. Increasing self-censorship. Concentration of ownership in media limits diversity. In September 2015, the UN member states adopted the new sustainable development goals (SDGs). Goal 16.10 deals with access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms. Access to information is one of three theme areas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' new strategy on freedom of expression.
Main Objectives: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall - initiate the development of international standards for the right to information, - contribute to the development of and compliance with legislation at the national level concerning the right to access information, advocate for more transparency and better access to information in the United Nations system and in other international organizations.
Brief Description of Commitment: Access to information as a priority area in foreign and development policy
Responsible institution: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Supporting institution(s): Not specified
Start date: 18 January 2016 End date: 2017
Commitment Aim:
In January 2016, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) launched a new strategy for freedom of expression and an independent media.[Note27: See https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/promote_freedom/id2470543/. The strategy document is available in Norwegian only, https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/departementene/ud/vedlegg/mr/strategi_ytringsfrihet.pdf. ] The strategy reflects Norway’s ambition to promote freedom of expression in its foreign and development policy. This OGP commitment flows directly from the strategy, although OGP is not mentioned in the strategy document. It is not relevant for domestic OGP work and relies on international support.
Status
Midterm: Limited
This commitment is completed to a limited degree, as the milestone to present a multilateral initiative on the “right to information” was no longer on the table at midterm.[Note28: Telephone interview with commitment PoC, senior advisor Siri Andersen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 December 2017.] The MFA continues to promote freedom of speech in various international meetings, such as in sessions at the UN Human Rights Council.[Note29: 36th session, where Norway’s delegation gave a speech. The speech was retrieved from the Public electronic records, December 2017.] For more information, please see the 2016–2017 IRM midterm report.
End-of-Term: Limited
No specific activities have been carried out since the midterm assessment.[Note30: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been contacted by phone and email, but at the time of writing no response has been obtained. ]
Did It Open Government?
Access to Information: Did Not Change
Due to the lack of activities and low specificity of this commitment it is not possible to say that the practice of promoting access to information internationally has changed or has in any way been different to the ongoing efforts that were in place prior to this commitment.
Carried Forward?
This commitment is not carried forward to the next action plan.
Commitments
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Archiving Documents
NO0054, 2019, Capacity Building
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Making Energy Statistics Available
NO0055, 2019, Anti-Corruption
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e-Access and Expansion
NO0056, 2019, Access to Information
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Open Cultural Data
NO0057, 2019, Access to Information
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Digital Spatial Planning
NO0058, 2019, E-Government
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Streamline Public Procurement
NO0059, 2019, Anti-Corruption
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Preventing Corruption
NO0060, 2019, Anti-Corruption
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Beneficial Ownership Registry
NO0061, 2019, Anti-Corruption
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User Orientation
NO0045, 2016, Capacity Building
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Electronic Public Records (OEP)
NO0046, 2016, E-Government
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Transparency Regarding Environmental Information
NO0047, 2016, E-Government
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Disclosure of Financial Data
NO0048, 2016, Access to Information
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Transparency Regarding Rainforest Funds
NO0049, 2016, E-Government
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State Employees’ Ownership of Shares
NO0050, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Promote Freedom of Expression and Independent Media
NO0051, 2016, Civic Space
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Country-By-Country Reporting
NO0052, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Register for Ultimate Beneficial Ownership
NO0053, 2016, Anti-Corruption
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Public Review and Public Consultation
NO0020, 2013, Capacity Building
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Registering and Preserving Digital Documentation Produced by Public Bodies
NO0021, 2013, Access to Information
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The Norwegian Citizen Survey (Innbyggerundersøkelsen)
NO0022, 2013, Public Participation
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Whistleblowing
NO0023, 2013, Anti-Corruption
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Strengthened Information Exchange for More Efficient Crime Prevention and Combating
NO0024, 2013, Justice
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Strengthening the Transparency of Public Authorities and Administration
NO0025, 2013, Access to Information
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Egovernment with an End-User Focus
NO0026, 2013, E-Government
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Plain Legal Language
NO0027, 2013, Capacity Building
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Norwegian Grants Portal (MFA)
NO0028, 2013, Aid
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An International Convention or Agreement on Financial Transparency
NO0029, 2013, Private Sector
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Reducing Conflicts of Interests – Post-Employment Regulations
NO0030, 2013, Anti-Corruption
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Centre for Integrity in the Defence Sector
NO0031, 2013, Peace & Security
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A Better Overview of Committees, Boards and Councils – More Public Access to Information and Better Opportunities for Further Use
NO0032, 2013, E-Government
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Modernizing Public Governance
NO0033, 2013, Capacity Building
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Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues
NO0034, 2013, Anti-Corruption
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Transparency in the Management of the Government Pension Fund (GPF)
NO0035, 2013, E-Government
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Transparency and Anti-Corruption Efforts
NO0036, 2013, Anti-Corruption
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The Municipal Sector
NO0037, 2013, Education
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“Simplify” (“Enkelt Og Greit”)
NO0038, 2013, E-Government
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Electronic Public Records (OEP) – (Offentlig Elektronisk Postjournal)
NO0039, 2013, Access to Information
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Re-Use of Public Sector Information (PSI)
NO0040, 2013, Access to Information
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Access to Health Data
NO0041, 2013, E-Government
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Renewal of the Government’S Website (Regjeringen.No – Government.No)
NO0042, 2013, E-Government
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Declaration of Principles for Interaction and Dialogue with NGOs
NO0043, 2013, Capacity Building
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Simplification and Digital Administration of Arrangements for NGOs
NO0044, 2013, Capacity Building
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government
NO0001, 2011, Anti-Corruption
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Measures to Promote Gender Equality and Women’S Full Participation in Civic Life, the Private Sector, the Public Administration and Political Processes.
NO0002, 2011, Gender
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Gender Equality – Participation in the Private Sector
NO0003, 2011, Gender
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Increase Women's Representation in Local Government
NO0004, 2011, Gender
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Gender Equality Program
NO0005, 2011, Gender
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Gender Equality – Inclusion of Immigrant Women
NO0006, 2011, Gender
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Gender Equality – Combat Gender Stereotypes
NO0007, 2011, Gender
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Gender Equality – Youth Initiatives
NO0008, 2011, Gender
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Gender Equality – Combat Domestic Violence
NO0009, 2011, Gender
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Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency
NO0010, 2011, Aid
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Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency – Government Global Pension Fund
NO0011, 2011, Fiscal Openness
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Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency – Combat Tax Evasion
NO0012, 2011, Fiscal Openness
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Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Revenues / Financial Transparency – Multi-National Companies
NO0013, 2011, Fiscal Openness
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – Create Central Communication Policy
NO0014, 2011, Fiscal Openness
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government
NO0015, 2011, E-Government
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – Public Data Use
NO0016, 2011, Public Participation
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – National Statistic Publication
NO0017, 2011, Access to Information
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government – National Public Opinion Survey
NO0018, 2011,
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An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government
NO0019, 2011, Public Participation