Challenges to Investment Ethics in the Norwegian Petroleum Fund: a Newspaper Debate
Abstract
In this article I will describe the main elements of the Norwegian presss moral confrontation with the Government Pension Funds ethical investment management when it was in an introductory phase in early 2005, with special emphasis on one newspaper, Stavanger Aftenblad. The press criticized the funds fresh investment profile and intended exclusionary practice before it had really started in earnest. Then I will focus on how the presss unilateral criticism of the funds investment practice at the time overshadowed a discussion of any defects in the ethical principles for investment. And I will focus on the presss lack of distinguishing between information and sensation. In conclusion I point out that in 2006 the press has abandoned its critical stance from 2005 and has now a tendency to idealize the funds exclusionary practice and the underlying principles.