Norway

Download the country report

List of Relevant Laws Impacting Free Speech (Norway) (2015-2022)

Reporters Without Borders, Word Press Freedom Index

Columbia University prize for the the most significant ruling  2016

1. Criminal law

New penal code  

Preporatory work for Norwegian penal code in force 2015 Innst. 248 L (2014–2015) – stortinget.no and Innst. O. nr. 73 (2008–2009) – stortinget.no

Section 3-6 a in the civil tort code

Privacy

Section on privacy  in penal code 267 in

Hate speech

• Amendments to The Penal code section 185

The penal code section 185 on hate speech, English text The Penal Code – Part II. Criminal acts – Lovdata.

Preparatory work on changes in section 185 on hate speech Sak – stortinget.no.

The report from The freedom of expression commission NOU 2022: 9 (regjeringen.no).

Comments to the report from the civil society Høring – NOU 2022:9 En åpen og opplyst offentlig samtale – regjeringen.no

• Amendments in the penal code section 77 on aggravating circumstances

preparatory work to the amendments on aggravated circumstance Sak – stortinget.no

• Protection of sensitive information

preparatory work on amendments regarding sensitive information Prop. 159 L (2020–2021) – regjeringen.no  and  Innst. 459 L (2020-2021) – stortinget.no

• Amendments to the penalty provision for violations of the representative of a foreign state
• Preparatory work on Section regarding penalty for violations 66 L (2019–2020) (regjeringen.no) and Innst. 41 L – 2020–2021

2. Civil Rights law

• Amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act (freedom of expression and information, etc.)
• Law amending the Data Protection Act; Lov om endringer i personopplysningsloven og offentleglova (ytrings- og informasjonsfrihet mv.) – Lovdata
• Data Protection Act; Lov om behandling av personopplysninger (personopplysningsloven) – Lovdata
• Changes in Data Protection Act and regulations from 1 January 2022; Endringer i lover og forskrifter fra 1. januar 2022 – regjeringen.no

• And preparatory works here:
  • Preparatory work for changes in the Data Protection Act 158 L (2020–2021) – regjeringen.no And Innst. 610 L (2020-2021) – stortinget.no

• Trade Secrets Act
• Trade Secret Act: Lov om vern av forretningshemmeligheter (forretningshemmelighetsloven) – Lovdata
• Governments press release regarding Trade Secret Act: Norges første lov om vern av forretningshemmeligheter trer i kraft 1. januar.
• Media Liability Act
• Media Liabilityr Act: Medieansvarsloven – Lovdata Pro
• Preparatory work on Media Liability Act: 31 L (2019–2020) – regjeringen.no
• Postal services act

• Preparatory work on the Postal Services Act: 102 L (2018–2019) – regjeringen.no, and Innst. 302 L (2018-2019) – stortinget.no.

• Working Environment Act and whiste-blowing
  • Whistle-blowing

Working Environment act  chapter 2A.

Working Environment Act Section 1-1 c Scope of protection

• Preparatory work on scope of protection under the Working Environment Act 315 L (2018-2019) – stortinget.no.
• Other proposed amendments to the law which are not yet enacted or in force
  • Surveillance legislation

Surveillance Act Etteretningstjenesteloven

Police Register Act Politiregisterlov,

• Ban on Conversion therapy

• Proposal for Conversion Therapy Act Høring – nytt lovforslag om forbud mot konverteringsterapi – regjeringen.no

• Proposed amendments to the Act relating to the right of access to documents held by public authorities and public undertakings (Freedom of Information Act)

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