The board of the Norwegian Editors’ Association (NR) has postponed its consideration of the issue of a formal warning to Document Media editor Hans Rustad.
The meeting was due to take place today, Friday. He has now been granted a postponement of several days, reports Medier 24.
– It has always been important to the Editors’ Association to ensure a proper process in line with the association’s articles of association. It was therefore also right to give Rustad a few extra days to elaborate on his response, particularly as the board sent him further questions regarding his relationship with the PFU a few days before the original deadline, writes Tora Bakke Håndlykken, chair of the Editors’ Association, in an email to members on Friday morning.
– Once Rustad’s response is available, the board will consider the matter and reach a final decision.
Hans Rustad has replied to the Editors’ Association, and his response has been published in Document. It states, amongst other things:
I dispute that Document’s editorial stance in itself makes the publication activist in nature. The board must specify which publications and actions justify this characterisation.
Document has a clear stance and publishes both news and commentary. Klassekampen, too, has a clear political profile and a recognisable angle.
The Norwegian Editors’ Association must decide whether it can tolerate a completely different portrayal of reality, or whether it wishes to close off the public sphere and allow only one version.
This is Document’s response to the Norwegian Editors’ Association
The Editors’ Association has been reviewing the Document editor’s membership since early June. Friday’s meeting was due to consider whether a formal warning was warranted, but the meeting has now been postponed.
Rustad’s critics within the Editors’ Association believe he should be expelled due to a series of breaches of the Code of Conduct and for helping to spread conspiracy theories. However, according to the association’s articles of association, a member cannot be expelled without first being issued with a warning on which they have been given the opportunity to comment. (NTB)
