In general, the working conditions and environment for Norwegian journalists are considered safe and predictable. Although there are no specific provisions for the protection of journalists in Norway's Criminal Code, there are significant measures in place to ensure their safety:

• The Attorney General has instructed the police and prosecuting authorities to prioritize cases involving threats and violence against journalists.
• The Supreme Court has mandated that threats and violence towards journalists should result in more severe punishments.

The Norwegian Union of Journalists maintains close contact with other press organizations, regularly addressing the safety of journalists. Media organizations in Norway collaborate on various professional issues, including journalist safety, press ethics, transparency, and public financial support for the media.

The Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality is the responsible authority for media-related topics in the country. Ongoing consultations with relevant institutions have highlighted several areas of concern:

• Journalists covering polarized topics such as immigration, gender equality, climate change, and particularly the war in the Middle East, frequently face harassment, threats, and violence.
• Reporters covering the war in Gaza have reported receiving significant numbers of hate messages.
• Studies indicate that journalists with minority backgrounds and LGBTQIA+ individuals experience threats and harassment at twice the rate of their ethnic Norwegian counterparts.
• The chilling effect and health issues related to anxiety are significant consequences of these experiences. The studies underline that harassment and threats have a pronounced chilling effect on journalists covering polarized topics and those from minority backgrounds.

While the Ministry has no immediate plans to work on a specific action plan for journalist safety, it remains committed to continuing the dialogue on this critical issue.