Norway's Green Party proposes press support changes to exclude alternative media

Norway's Green Party (MDG) is proposing significant changes to the country's state press support system, with the explicit aim of excluding certain alternative media outlets. The party has openly declared its intention to block funding for publications such as Document.no and iNyheter.

According to MDG's parliamentary representative Margit Martinsen Bye, the party believes it is a politician's duty to re-evaluate the use of taxpayer money. "The least we can do as politicians is to take a round with ourselves when we see that we are using taxpayers' money on media that fuels hatred against immigrants and distrust in democracy and politicians," Bye told Vårt Land.

Currently, Norwegian press support, also known as production support, is a substantial funding mechanism for media. In 2025, 440.6 million kroner were distributed. While the Norwegian Press Association (PFU) can review breaches of ethical codes, adherence to its guidelines is not a mandatory requirement for receiving press support, nor do PFU rulings automatically trigger formal consequences for media houses.

The MDG's proposal signals a potential shift in how Norway allocates media funding, focusing on specific criteria that could disenfranchise outlets deemed to be promoting harmful content or undermining democratic institutions.

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The least we can do as politicians is to take a round with ourselves when we see that we are using taxpayers' money on media that fuels hatred against immigrants and distrust in democracy and politicians.