The press will help Edward Snowden in Norway

Oslo.n the picture from right Arne Jensen, Norwegian Editor Association, Kjersti Løken Stavrum, Norwegian Press Association, Thomas Spence, leading the Norwegian Union of journalists and Lawyer Jon Wessel-Aas by Bing Hodneland Attorney company DA .Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB scanpix

Edward Snowden has a real chance to win his lawsuit against the Norwegian government,  Kjersti Løken Stavrum, general secretary of the Norwegian Press Association, says.

The three press organizations Norwegian Editors’ Association (NSA), Norwegian Union of Journalists (NJ) and the Norwegian Press Association (NP) have now decided to take an active role in helping  Snowden in his lawsuit  against Norway.
– We are keen to take part in this in the best possible way to show that what Snowden told us, was important information. I think most people, if they stop to think about it, are glad that they got that information, says Stavrum said.
She believes that the lawsuit and the issue have shown that giving notice of and warning about international relations is of great concern to Norway – and Norwegian journalism as well as other countries.
Have faith in the matter
The backdrop to the lawsuit is that Norwegian PEN has awarded Ossietzky Prize for 2016 to Edward Snowden. The organization wants him to come to Norway to receive the prize in November.
– We believe it to be appropriate for Snowden to come to Norway to receive a well-deserved award for the work he ventured to carry out, but that he will risk being arrested and extradited to the US, says Stavrum.
She maintains that she has faith that Snowden can succeed.
– I consider that to be realistic. I think  the  pleadings written by  Snow’s attorneys provides a good and objectively justified basis for the lawsuit. We support the part that has to do with the freedom of expression, freedom of information and protection of whistleblowers, says Stavrum.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today