This project investigates how the population in Norway perceives freedom of expression and access to information. It measures where people draw the line for acceptable public speech; what experiences they have with harassment and hate speech; and to what extent people refrain from expressing themselves due to fear of sanctions or moral condemnation. The project also maps different groups’ assessments of access to information: Do people feel they have access to diverse, reliable, and relevant information?
This research project is the fourth in a series commissioned by Fritt Ord to examine the status of freedom of expression in Norway. It provides unique time-series data that show how different groups—defined by socioeconomic, demographic, and political characteristics—evaluate freedom of expression and access to information differently, and how attitudes change over time. The surveys also reveal how a changing media landscape and new communication technologies affect people’s experiences of freedom of expression and access to information. This year’s monitoring project builds on previous studies and additionally asks:
- Is there increasing polarization between population groups in their views on freedom of expression and the public sphere?
- How are people’s assessments of the public sphere and access to information shaped by new information technologies and the use of artificial intelligence?
- In what ways are attitudes toward freedom of expression and access to information influenced by war, conflict, and a new security situation?
You can find key publications from previous studies on the status of freedom of expression in Norway here:
Status of Freedom of Expression in Norway – Fritt Ord’s Monitoring Project
