The Norwegian Press Association’s Transparency Award for 2024 goes to journalist Bård Wormdal, who through his work has shed light on Norwegian intelligence activities. Read the full statement here.
“The Norwegian Press Association’s Transparency Award for 2024 goes to a journalist who, through his work, has illuminated Norwegian intelligence activities. Through his books, he has challenged official narratives. He has created space for a broader discussion about Norway’s role in international intelligence and our cooperation with the United States.
In Vardø, the Globus III radar became operational in 2022, only a few miles from the Russian border. One of the largest construction projects in Finnmark’s history is mentioned only in brief budget notes to the Norwegian Parliament. The award winner raises timely questions about the radar’s purpose and the extent to which our elected officials are informed.
Russia has conducted simulated bombing runs over Vardø, and local residents fear becoming a target. The award winner has contributed to debunking official explanations and has helped reveal unknown aspects of the Norwegian-American cooperation.
Challenging powerful institutions such as the intelligence service requires courage—not only for the award winner himself but also for sources with lifelong confidentiality obligations who, despite this, have contributed information.
The award winner has navigated a complex landscape between the public’s need for information and security policy considerations. He has remained steadfast in his work despite pressure to desist.
Through his work, the public has gained information and the opportunity to assess and discuss security policy issues on a more informed basis. The award winner’s work has also stimulated further investigations and debate, both in the media and among decision-makers in Parliament.
The jury is therefore proud to present the Norwegian Press Association’s Transparency Award for 2024 to Bård Wormdal for his books Satellittkrigen (The Satellite War), Spionbasen (Stalking The Bear), and Spionkrigen (The Spy War). Wormdal’s dedicated efforts underscore the importance of investigative journalism and open debate on critical security policy issues in a democratic society.”
