The Storting has a long tradition of being an open house in which the press has extensive opportunities to report on parliamentary business. An essential pillar of any democracy is that parliamentary business in the national assembly is open and accessible to the public. Consequently, the press must have good working conditions and the requisite accessibility to the political and parliamentary work that takes place in the Storting.

The Regulations for Press Access to the Storting have been drawn up in cooperation with the Parliamentary Press Club. Beyond the rules below, the relationship between the Storting and the press is regulated by the Code of Ethics of the Norwegian Press (VVP). Photography and filming in the Storting buildings are regulated by the specific rules laid out in the Regulations for Photography and Filming in the Storting.

Questions about these regulations, or other enquiries that relate to press access to the Storting should be directed to the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section: presse@stortinget.no.

1. General information
2. Members of the Parliamentary Press Club
3. Norwegian Press Association press cards, Norwegian Press Photographers Association press cards, and NRK and TV2 access passes
4. Members of the press without a press card
5. Technical staff from the TV and radio companies
6. Members of the foreign press
7. Press access to the offices of the Members of Parliament and members of staff
8. Special occasions
9. Temporary restrictions on press access
10. Parking

1. General information

These rules apply to the press’s access to the Storting.

The general Security and Access Regulations for the Storting also apply to the press, but with the exemptions and specifications outlined in these regulations.

2. Members of the Parliamentary Press Club

On application to the Storting’s Secretary General, Members of the Parliamentary Press Club may be issued with a type B access pass, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 2. This pass gives access to the Storting buildings’ common areas, via the serviced entrances.

The term “common areas” refers to all the areas where those with a valid access pass to the Storting’s premises may travel without a special permit. The areas considered to be common areas are the Central Hall, the restaurant and canteen, the Service Centre, the corridors, and other areas connected to arrival and transport.

Members may use the corridors as necessary, but may not spend extended time in them without a specific reason. Offices, meeting rooms, committee rooms and other areas that are reserved for specific groups do not count as common areas.

Members have access to the Committee Building when there are committee meetings, hearings or other meetings there, or if they have another specific reason for being there.

In the Storting Chamber, members have access to the Press Box.

Members have access to the press centre in the Storting building and the media companies’ individual on-site offices and studios. Members do not have access to the Storting’s exercise room and training facilities, changing rooms, saunas or post room.

If necessary, Parliamentary Press Club members may be accompanied by other members of the press from their own media company, including journalists and photographers with a press card, and freelance journalists, trainees and students without a press card. The Storting’s access pass, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 4, is issued in the Storting’s receptions on presentation of a press card or access pass from the media company in question, or another valid ID. Such other members of the press must be accompanied by a Parliamentary Press Club member throughout their visit.

3. Norwegian Press Association press cards, Norwegian Press Photographers Association press cards, and NRK and TV2 access passes

Journalists and press photographers with valid press cards issued by the Norwegian Press Association, the Norwegian Press Photographers Association, or access passes issued by NRK and TV2 have the same access as laid out in section 2 above when there are sittings in the Storting Chamber, committee hearings, press conferences or press meetings. Beyond this, access shall be by appointment only with the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section, or the host of the visit under the terms of the Storting’s Security and Access Regulations.

Visitor passes, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 4, are issued in the receptions on presentation of one of the aforementioned press cards or access passes. The visitor in question must be accompanied by the host of the visit or a member of the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section, unless otherwise agreed with the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section.

4. Members of the press without a press card

Members of the press without a press card may apply for a visitor pass, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 4. The media company responsible must submit an application with the person’s name, desired date of access, and the purpose of the assignment. All applications should be sent to the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section. Beyond this, access shall be by appointment with the host of the visit under the terms of the Security and Access Regulations.

Visitor passes, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 4, are issued in the receptions on presentation of a valid ID. The visitor in question must be accompanied by the host of the visit, or a member of the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section, unless otherwise agreed with the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section.

5. Technical staff from the TV and radio companies

Technical staff from the TV and radio companies have access to the media companies’ own offices and studios in the Storting buildings. They also have access to the Storting’s common areas as laid out in section 2 above in connection with reporting assignments or technical maintenance, etc. as long as they are accompanied by a member of the Parliamentary Press Club.

Visitor passes, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 4, are issued in the receptions on presentation of a press card or access pass from the media company in question, or a valid ID. The visitor in question must be accompanied by a member of the Parliamentary Press Club, the host of the visit, or a member of the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section, unless otherwise agreed with the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section.

6. Members of the foreign press

Visitor passes are issued to members of the foreign press who have an appointment. Such visitor passes also give members of the foreign press access to the press centre.

Visitor passes, cf. Security and Access Regulations for the Storting, section 4, are issued in the receptions on presentation of a valid ID. The member(s) of the foreign press in question must be accompanied by a member of the Storting’s Media and Public Relations Section.

7. Press access to the offices of the Members of Parliament and members of staff

Press access to the offices of the Members of Parliament (MPs) shall be by appointment only. However, prior appointments are not necessary if the MP has agreed to the visit. Until such consent is given, filming and recording shall not take place.

The press shall not direct enquiries to members of staff in their offices or workplaces without prior appointment with the member of staff in question or via the press office.

8. Special occasions

On special occasions, such as the State Opening of the Storting or other large events, separate rules apply for press access to the Storting, including accreditation. The Storting will provide the press with the necessary information about which rules apply in good time before the special occasion in question.

9. Temporary restrictions on press access

During such times as the work in the Storting or circumstances otherwise dictate, the Storting’s Presidium may decide that the common areas in the Storting buildings are temporarily closed to the press. The head of the Storting’s Parliamentary Press Club or their deputy must be notified in advance, time permitting.

10. Parking

Members of the Parliamentary Press Club may be given access to the Storting garage during reporting assignments. There are a limited number of parking spaces available. Access to the Storting garage may only be given after advance notice to the Storting’s Security Section. Additional parking spaces in the Storting garage for vehicles used on reporting assignments have been reserved for NRK and TV2.