Norway's VG journalist Bjørn Haugan must testify about 260,000 kroner in bar and restaurant bills, an Oslo court has ruled, exposing tensions between legal proceedings and press source protection. The ruling orders Haugan to appear in the corruption trial of Stein Lier-Hansen, the former director of Norsk Industri, who listed Haugan's name on 147 expense receipts between 2019 and 2023. Prosecutors from Økokrim seek to determine if Lier-Hansen falsified these costs, part of broader charges of gross corruption and economic disloyalty linked to hunting, fishing, and seaplane expenses. VG has appealed the decision, citing journalistic privilege, setting up a legal clash that could reshape confidentiality norms in Norwegian media.
The Court's Ruling and Its Basis
Oslo District Court's decision mandates Haugan's testimony despite VG's objections, focusing on whether the journalist was present during the billed gatherings. The court noted it lacked sufficient grounds to question Haugan's objectivity in his reporting, a point VG's editor Gard Steiro emphasized in a statement. However, the judges concluded that the potential evidence outweighed source protection concerns in this criminal case. Lier-Hansen, who denies guilt for gross corruption, claims the 260,000 kroner in expenses were legitimate representation costs for Norsk Industri, a major business lobby. The trial begins next week, with Haugan's role now a pivotal element in examining the authenticity of these claims.
Details of the Expenses and Journalistic Ties
The 260,000 kroner spanned four years, averaging over 1,700 kroner per bill across Oslo bars and restaurants, where Lier-Hansen reported Haugan as a guest. Haugan, an experienced reporter, has covered Lier-Hansen and industrial affairs for VG for years, with archives showing his last article on the subject published recently. This long-standing professional relationship raises questions about boundaries, as Økokrim investigates if Lier-Hansen used these bills to improperly account for funds. In his defense, Lier-Hansen argues the spending was for business networking, but prosecutors suspect fraud, noting the frequency and scale of the expenses. The case highlights how corporate hospitality can blur lines in Norway's tight-knit business and media circles.
VG's Legal Challenge and Ethical Stand
VG's responsible editor Gard Steiro stated the newspaper cannot comment in detail without breaching source confidentiality but affirmed trust in Haugan's journalistic work. In an email, Steiro pointed to the court's acknowledgment that it had no basis to doubt Haugan's objectivity, aligning with VG's internal review. The appeal to the Lagmannsretten (Court of Appeal) hinges on Section 125 of Norway's Criminal Procedure Act, which provides witness exemption for journalists, reinforced by European Court of Human Rights and Supreme Court precedents. Steiro argued that source protection applies even if a source's identity is allegedly known, a principle safeguarding press freedom. This move underscores VG's commitment to shielding its reporters, but it also tests legal limits as courts balance justice needs.
The Broader Context of the Lier-Hansen Case
Stein Lier-Hansen's trial is part of a larger scandal involving lavish spending at Norsk Industri, with allegations extending to hunting trips and private flights funded by member companies. His fall from a prominent business leader to a defendant reflects Norway's crackdown on corporate misconduct, often highlighted in Storting discussions on Arctic resource management and energy sector transparency. The inclusion of Haugan's name in expenses adds a media dimension, suggesting how access journalism might be exploited. As the trial proceeds, testimony from other witnesses will detail the 260,000 kroner bills, but Haugan's potential appearance remains the most contentious, symbolizing the clash between legal accountability and press independence.