Oslo police criticize press: We will not babysit journalists

Oslo police have told the press to behave after Rikshospitalet repeatedly sought help managing journalists outside the hospital. The criticism follows intense media attention surrounding royal hospitalizations and the death of King Harald.

Per-Ivar Iversen of the Oslo police wrote in a police log, reported by Norwegian news agency NTB, that reporters should “show respect for relatives who are visiting sick family members.” He said Oslo police had more than enough work without acting as babysitters for journalists who could not follow instructions from hospital security staff.

“

show respect for relatives who are visiting sick family members

Iversen said the criticism applied to all media organizations in Oslo. Speaking to NTB, he said journalists had filmed toward the emergency department and crossed the boundary marking where members of the press could stand. “They are not able to comply with it,” he said.

“

Oslo police have more than enough work without acting as babysitters for journalists who are unable to comply with requests from Rikshospitalet security staff

The hospital has drawn a large press presence in recent days, particularly during King Harald’s hospitalization, when the royal household issued regular updates saying his condition had worsened. Photographers also recorded royal family members arriving at and leaving the hospital.

Norwegian media reported Tuesday that King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit and the king’s sister, Princess Märtha Louise, had traveled to the hospital. Images showed the royals arriving and later leaving, although the reason for the visit was unknown. A designated area remains available for the press, but police said journalists had apparently moved beyond it.

“

They are not able to comply with it