The requirement of 40 percent Norwegian music should be expanded to apply to seven additional NRK channels, the Norwegian Media Authority recommends in a recent report to the Ministry of Culture.
/ 29/11/2021 / Kristian DugstadOn Monday, November 29, the Norwegian Media Authority handed over an NRK report to Minister of Culture and Equality Anette Trettebergstuen.
The report "NRK's contribution to media diversity" was commissioned by the ministry and explains how NRK contributes to media diversity. The Norwegian Media Authority makes a number of recommendations, including expanding the requirement of 40 percent Norwegian music to apply to an additional seven of NRK's radio channels.
Read the report here: https://www.medietilsynet.no/globalassets/publikasjoner/utredninger-pa-oppdrag-fra-andre/NRKs-bidrag-til-mediemangfoldet-2021/211129_2021_nrk-rapporten_komplett_web.pdf
The report emphasizes that Norwegian music is a central part of NRK's cultural mission, and that NRK has an important role in promoting Norwegian musicians, composers and lyricists. Today, NRK has a requirement that at least 40 percent of the music played on the core radio channels, NRK P1, NRK P2 and NRK P3, must be Norwegian.
However, the Norwegian Media Authority believes that there are no fundamental differences between the three core channels and NRK's other radio channels. They therefore recommend that the requirement of 40 percent Norwegian music be extended to apply to NRK P1+, NRK P13, NRK mP3, NRK Nyheter, NRK Sport, NRK Super and NRK Folkemusikk.
The Norwegian Media Authority's call will be well received by TONO's 37,000 members, believes TONO's Head of Communications, Willy Martinsen:
– Radio and TV are TONO's largest income area. We settle money based on what is performed. We see that we send the lion's share of radio and TV settlements to composers and lyricists in other countries. Demands for Norwegian shares in several NRK channels will be well received by TONO's Norwegian members as long as they are aware that the term "Norwegian music" does not only include the artists' citizenship, but also the composers and lyricists.
It will be of interest to many of TONO's members that the Norwegian Media Authority has commented in the report on the formatting of the genre-specific music channels NRK Klassisk and NRK Jazz.
In these channels, NRK will not only promote Norwegian performers and creators, but also emphasize artistic breadth and variety. For example, today a high proportion of the music in NRK Klassisk is written before 1900, and the Norwegian Media Authority points out that it is natural for a channel that broadcasts classical music to play and discuss music from several eras.
In these channels, NRK should continue to emphasize Norwegian composers and performers, both in the coverage of concerts, festivals and in the broadcasting of recorded material.
NRK's mission to promote Sami language and culture is also specified in the report.
The Norwegian Media Authority recommends that NRK adopt a statute that states that they shall promote Sami musicians, artists, composers and lyricists, including new and traditional Sami music and music in all three Sami languages.
The requirements to promote new talents and emphasize Norwegian-language or Norwegian-composed music should be similar for Sami music, the Norwegian Media Authority believes.
Read more:
In February 2021, the Norwegian Composers' Fund complained about NRK's music profile to the Norwegian Broadcasting Council.
https://komponist.no/aktuelt/nrks-kulturdekning-klage
The Media Authority also said in Public Broadcasting Report for 2020 that the requirement of 40 percent Norwegian music should be expanded to apply to all NRK channels where music is a significant part of the content.
https://www.medietilsynet.no/nyheter/aktuelt/allmennkringkastingsrapporten-for-2020-nrk-hadde-ikke-nok-nynorsk-pa-nett-og-radio-men-oppfylte-de-andre-kravene/