A survey conducted by Respons Analysis and Retriever found that Norwegians are generally satisfied with the media’s coverage of the war in Ukraine. However, many felt that the recent Winter Olympics and controversy over the Norges Bank governorship got too much attention.
Norwegian media balanced on the war in Ukraine
A survey that measures the media’s selection of news events has found that Norwegians are generally happy with the coverage of the war in Ukraine. Conducted by both Respons Analysis and Retriever, the survey examines hows Norwegians assess the media coverage of news stories and their emotional impact on them.
Guro Lindebjerg, head of the data analysis company Retriever, spoke of the results of the media’s coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “The war in Ukraine is covered in almost 90,000 large and small media reports. We see that the majority of Norwegians believe the media has balanced the amount of coverage well”, she told NTB.
Winter Olympics on the nose
This favorable opinion is in contrast to both the Winter Olympics. One in three Norwegians felt that the Olympic games, held in Beijing earlier this year, got too much coverage.
The Winter Olympic Games in Beijing were the subject of more than 27,000 media reports which was, according to Retriever, significantly less than the previous Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Yet Norwegians felt that this was too much coverage nonetheless. Lindebjerg said that of those surveyed “half state that they have no feelings about the Beijing Olympics. This is sensational. We have previously seen a large positive commitment related to sporting events.”
50% over Norges Bank Governorship saga and drama
50% of those surveyed had similar feelings too about Jens Stoltenberg’s on again / off again appointment to the central bank of Norway.
The former Prime Minister, and now current NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg was initially appointed as the new Governor of Norges Bank. However, a public backlash against his appointment, due to accusations of sexism and backroom political deals with the current government, saw him ultimately resign to be replaced by Ida Wenche Bache.
This whole scandal, according to Lindebjerg, showed how the media was not in sync with the public.
“Both the hiring process and the appointment of Jens Stoltenberg as central bank governor engaged the political conservatory greatly, and generated a significant amount of media coverage”, explained Lindebjerg. Given the results of the survey, however, Lindenberg explained that for this particular scandal “the media and people seem to be out of step.”
Electricity prices were the second most important issue
The second most important issue, after the war in Ukraine, was found to be the recent historically high price of electricity. There was approximately the same number of media stories about electricity prices as the Winter Olympics.
Marius A. Flaget, a senior adviser at Respons Analysis, spoke to NTB about the deeper meaning of the survey’s findings. He explained that, “the survey shows that there is a clear connection between the type of emotions evoked by news items, and which issues are believed to deserve the most space in the media. In this case, the people are completely in line with known news criteria.”
Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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Just appeared on British Independent:
“Germany begins upgrading bunker system in wake of Russian invasion of Ukraine
Civil servants told to work up new concepts for strengthening underground car parks, subway stations and basements as possible sancturies in case of conflict
Colin Drury”
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, ….
… taking action would first require months of study, when all we probably have is days.
Norway has done the same, hasn’t it? Asked all Mayors to double check bunker systems and review what underground areas would provide some protection (in particular from nuclear fallout).? I am amazed more has not been made of this effort..