Global safe haven for investigative journalism established in Iceland. Major freedom of expression

[jose v]

Global safe haven for investigative journalism established in Iceland. Major freedom of expression initiative spells end of corporate-controlled Western mainstream media news management. Icelandic Parliament unanimously passes world's strongest independent press and whistleblower protection laws.

Iceland's devastating economic collapse in 2008 showed that relations between the government and the media had become too cozy. Foreign reporters were the ones who uncovered much of the corruption in Iceland's financial system, prompting calls for improved access to information and more protection for whistleblowers. One of the inspirations for the new Icelandic freedom of expression laws was the dramatic August 2009 gagging of The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV), by Iceland's then largest bank, Kaupthing. Commentary here (16.06.10). Mainstream media reportage here (17.06.10). Kaupthing background here

(30.07.09).

http://cryptome.org/0001/wikileaks-haven.htm