Freedom of the Press - Norway (2004)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 3
Political Influences: 3
Economic Pressures: 3
Total Score: 9

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 79
Religious Groups: Evangelical Lutheran (86 percent), other christian [including Pentecostal and Roman Catholic] (3 percent), none and unknown (11 percent) other Christian (2.4 percent), Muslim (1.8 percent), other (8.1 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Norwegian, Sami (20,000)
Capital: Oslo

The constitution provides robust protections for freedom of the press. Truth is not an absolute defense in libel cases, and fines have been increasing. Censorship is illegal, but certain topics (such as suicide) are not considered acceptable material. Journalists abide by strict self-regulation, including the code of ethics of the Norwegian Press Association. Although Norway has the largest number of newspapers per capita in the world, just three large companies dominate the print media. The state provides newspapers with direct subsidies, which account for only 3 to 4 percent of their total revenue but serve to limit the impact of local monopolies.