NORWEGIAN MEDIA WATCH:1366 Stories from 175 publication/organisations, NTB news agency, & 2 MPs

Ignorance? Arrogance? Or just guessing about the facts & details about the country of Canada? The Canadian Complaint with the Norwegian Media.

2009-12-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

The Continent is called North America, not "USA og Canada."
Nationality of Canada = Canadian (French and English speaking).
Nationality of Mexico = Mexican (Spanish) in green.
Nationality of USA = American (English) in pink.

There is no country in the world called "USA og Canada." The continent of North America has three countries, Canada, Mexico, and USA located on it. Mexico and the USA are republics, with a president and states; Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy with a Queen, a parliament, and provinces. Why does it seem like some Norwegian journalists expect Canada to be the same as the USA? Norwegians are doing themselves a disservice if they're going to report the nationality of Canadians as Americans, dump Canada into foreign USA's news stories and social problems, geographically locate Canadian cities in foreign countries like the USA or France, write that the USA's currency is Canada's currency, use foreign American political terms and terminology for Canada, and generally report Canada as part of the USA or American in their coverage. These bad habits (of some) in the Norwegian media certainly does not reflect Canada, Canadians, Canadian culture, Canadian way of life, and the Canadian people accurately when this is done. It really is like Canadian journalists coming to Norway and overwhelmingly reporting everything about Norway as really Swedish or German. It may come as a surprise or shock to many Norwegians, but Canada and Canadians are not part of the USA, and quite happy not being Americans. Canada is its own country, in its own right, and feel they have done just as good a job at creating a quality French and English speaking nation deserving of its fair and independent recognition. Just because Canada is located beside the USA, doesn't mean Canada is part of it. Unlike, Norway under Swedish rule, Canada has never been part of the USA, and is a bilingual nation using Canadian-French and Canadian-English.

Why do Norwegian Journalists dump Canada in with the USA's News that has Nothing to do with Canada, Canadians, or Canadian news?

Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture deserves more respect in the Norwegian print media, than being constantly dumped in with the USA's news stories. The USA's news is not Canada's news. Just as Germany or Sweden's news is not Norway's news. There is no reason to add Canada into the USA's news stories that do not take place in Canada, nor relevant to events in Canadian news. What has Canada Done to Receive Such Low Standards & Sloppy Journalism in so many Norwegian Print Media Stories? It seems many in the Norwegian journalists need to develop a higher standard for Canadian reporting after reading the often poor quality of Canadian coverage in Norwegian stories. Odd mistakes happen and is no big issue, but mistakes about Canada, and Canadians seem to be a fairly regular occurrence. If even the most basic Canadian details aren't correct in a story (for example - Canada's political system, Canadian currency, Canadian current events, locating Canadian cities in the wrong country), then how can Norwegian readers trust the content to be fair and accurate? The accuracy and fairness of the content presented to Norwegian readers are important, are they not? It's not Canada's fault it happens to be located beside the USA, but that still doesn't make Canada and Canadians part of the USA, the USA's political system, the USA's news, etc.

Why do so Many Norwegian Journalists use the USA's

Terminology, Currency, and Political Descriptions for Canada?

For some strange reason, many Norwegian stories about Canada seem to include the use of American political terms, American currency, and American geo-political terms and descriptions that are not at all Canadian, not used in Canada, have never been used in Canada, and not part of Canadian history, Canadian experience, Canadian geography, and everyday life of Canadians. For example, Canada does not have states, Canada does not have state governors, Canada does not have a president, Canada does not use the USA's currency, Canada does not play American football, Canada does not play American hockey, and the nationality of people living in Canada is Canadian, (not American) etc. It's clear the effort is made by Norwegian journalists to use the correct terminology, descriptions, and currency for countries like Britain, China, Afghanistan, France, Australia; then why not for Canada? Norwegian journalists don't think just because Canada is located beside the USA it must be the same history, terminology, culture for Canada and Canadians, as in the USA? Unlike Norway, being controlled the Crown of Sweden until 1905, Canada has never been part of the USA, has it's own languages, culture, currency, and history. Should Canadians assume being beside big brother Sweden, that the Swedish Crown is Norway's currency? Or that Swedish is the language of Norway? Or ABBA is Norwegian? That IKEA is Norwegian chain of stores around the world?

Why Would Canadians Want to Visit Norway if they're not Respected for being from Canada and for their Canadian Nationality?

Why would a Canadian want to visit Norway, when most Norwegians think he's from the USA, just want to talk to him about Canada's neighbouring country - the USA, and not really be too interested in his Canadian nationality or his homeland of Canada? Imagine Norwegians travelling in Canada only to be introduced throughout Canada as our "Swedish" friend or he's "from Sweden." Historically, close to 90,000 Norwegians chose Canada for the dream of a new life from 1814 onwards. They became loyal British Subjects, and new Canadians. Today, some 350,000 plus Canadians claim some Norwegian heritage. The Norwegian ancestors of these Canadians chose Canada, not the USA, and should be fairly treated and recognised for that choice to become Canadians, and not Americans. Norwegian journalists should not report about Canada by looking through American eyes; this would be like Canadian journalists writing about Norway through the eyes of big brother Sweden. The Norwegian education system has perhaps failed in educating Norwegians of the Norwegian immigrants that left Norway, and chose to immigrate to countries around the world, and not the USA. And, has perhaps failed to educate Norwegians about the contributions these Norwegian immigrants made in helping build other countries that are not the USA.

Canadians are Definitely Just as Ignorant of Norway and Norwegians!

It's easy to understand the average Norwegian lacking knowledge of Canada (that is not a problem), as Canadians are probably just as ignorant about Norway. But, the Norwegian print media adding Canada into hundreds of the USA news stories; using American terms to describe the politics of Canada; using American currency instead of the correct Canadian currency for Canada; and identifying a Canadian's nationality as American, cannot help to clarify Canada and Canadians to Norwegian readers! Why should the USA receive credit in a Norwegian story for what Canada or Canadians have done? Surely journalists are supposed to verify facts, try not to guess, not assume or change details to what they think is right or think they know when reporting a story?

Canada is not Politically attached to the USA!

Some Norwegian journalists need to stop thinking of Canada as somehow politically attached or part of the USA, and need to understand what is Canadian, and what it means to be Canadian, if they're ever going to cover Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture with some sense of accuracy! From some of the Norwegian stories noted below, it's a fair question to ask if some Norwegians actually know that Canada is a separate country from the USA?

View of a Canada - USA international land border crossing between Canada and the USA (entering the USA from Canada) at the international border (officially known as the "International Boundary"). Canadians need a passport to enter the USA, just as Canadians need a passport to enter Norway. The present border originated with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, after the American Revolutionary War ended(earning the USA independence), in which Canadians remained loyal to Britain and the British Empire.

Why do so many Norwegian journalists locate Canadian cities, Canadian provinces, and Canadian universities in the USA or France? Canadian cities (whether in the French speaking or English speaking parts of Canada), like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa (the Canadian capital) etc., are located in Canada, not in the USA or France.

There is a Norwegian Double Standard: Why do so many Norwegian journalists identify the Canadian nationality and citizenship of Canadian actors & musicians as American, or being from the USA? Just because a Canadian works or lives in the USA, it doesn't mean he or she is not a Canadian. For example, Canadian actor William Shatner lives and works in the USA, but he's Canadian. He grew up in the French part of Canada, speaks French and English, and is a Canadian citizen. Just because he lives in the USA doesn't make him an American. If a Norwegian lives in the Sweden, Canada, or USA for a career or by choice, should the Canadian media report him or her as a Swede, a Canadian, or an American when they are in fact Norwegian? Norwegian Torill Kove has lived in Canada since 1982, and is a Canadian citizen, but is she still not a Norwegian? In the Norwegian media she is never reported or given any credit as a Canadian. Suzann Pettersen is Norwegian and lives in the USA, so does that mean it's correct for the Canadian media to start reporting or identifying her as an American now just because she lives in the USA? If the Norwegians can claim Knut Rockne in their media stories as Norwegian (after moving to the USA at five years of age); then why can't some Norwegian journalists give Canadians credit for their Canadian nationality when a Canadian is successful in the USA? Why is their Canadian nationality taken away from them so easily? Norwegian stories on Canadians Peter Jennings, Leonard Cohen, William Shatner, etc., are all good examples. Seems like a Norwegian double standard.

Why do so many Norwegian journalist apply American standards, American laws or American rules, as the Canadian standards?

The USA's laws are not Canada's laws. Canada's legal system is based off France and Great Britain, not the USA. Are Germany's laws the laws of Norway? So why would the USA's laws be the laws of Canada? Norwegian stories on Canadian tipping, Canadian travel & customs regulations, Canadian university entrance exams for example some to mind.

Why is much of the Canadian content or aspect of a Canadian story or event, at times, removed from Canadian stories or changed to look American, or no reference made to Canadian events even taking place in Canada?

Why are Norwegians obtaining success in Canada, or awareness in Canada, less likely to be promoted as Canadian success, or Canada even referred to in the story?

When Norwegians are on tour in North America ( touring both Canada and the USA), why is it that 80% of the time Canada listed under the USA, or as part of the USA, and omitted from the headline? Is "little Canada" not worth mentioning, except as a footnote, or as some part of the USA, even where there may be as many tour dates in Canada as in the USA?

Why are so many newspapers and Norway's NTB reluctant to correct mistakes in their stories after being notified of mistakes? Seems like it would be the right thing to do for the benefit of Norwegian readers?

Why is coverage of Canadian (Canada is a G-8 nation with some clout in this world) news so rare in the Norwegian media? And why is Canadian news, when a tragic or terrible story (like a school shooting, or murder), played up in the Norwegian media as major "epidemic" problems in Canada, or lumped in with events in the USA, as to make it seem like it's a big "American" problem in Canada? When in fact, compared to the USA, these types of crime stories and criminal events in Canada are very rare compared to the USA and many European countries. Is Canada really so insignificant a country to Norwegians?

Are Norwegians no better at seeing Canada as part of the USA, in the same way Norwegians complain how the world sees them as part of Sweden?

Norges Bilbransjeforbund (NBF) - 1 Story

2009-12-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

1) Åpning av Worldskills i Calgary 1. september (Håvard Arne Mathisen) 2 September 2009
http://www.nbf.no/article.php?articleID=396&categoryID=130
In this story about the World Skills competition Canada hosted in the province of Alberta, the Norwegian writer states: "Canadas statsminister Stephen Harper, undervisningsministeren, guvernøren i delstaten Alberta, ordføreren i Calgary og representanter for WorldSkills Calgary og WorldSkills International hilste deltakerne og det store publikummet som fulgte det utendørs åpningsshowet fra "Grand stand". State Governor?? State?? This is not correct. How can Alberta have a "state governor" and be a state when there are no states, and no "state governors" in Canada. The only countries in North America that have states and state governors are Mexico and the USA. This story is an excellent example of how many Norwegian writers just guess or assume Canada is the same as the USA. Canada has been using provinces for 346 years since 1663, and the political leader of a Canadian province is a Premier, not a governor.

Fri Flyt - 2 Stories

2009-12-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

1) Skred, drugs & rock´n´roll (Erlend Sande) 22 November, 2009
http://www.friflyt.no/index.php?pagenr=12&articlenr=57881

In this story the Norwegian writer states Swiss-Canadian Pascal Haegeli from Canada, with the consulting firm Avisualanche is a "Swiss-American." American? How can that be when he has Swiss and Canadian citizenship? This is not correct. After consulting with Pascal Haegeli, he confirmed his citizenship is Swiss and Canadian. He lives in Canada, his firm is located in Canada, he comes from British Columbia - a province in Canada, yet his nationality is identified as Swiss and American. He is not an American citizen. The story talks about Canada, mentions the province of British Columbia, and he is also a director of the Canadian Avalanche Association, but yet, his nationality and citizenship is identified as American, not Canadian. The story was corrected two days later, and no response was received from Fri Flyt in Norway.

2) Nyheter fra bobilen (Hans Petter Hval) 17 January, 2010

The name of the Canadian event in the story is called the "Revelstoke Canadian Freeskiing Championships." The Norwegian story reports it as the "amerikanske frikjOringsserien i Revelstoke." American?? What country do the think Revelstoke is located in? First, Revelstoke is a Canadian location, and the name of the event being spoke about in the story is the "Canadian Freeskiing Championships." After e-mailing several times, the story has not been corrected.

Anders Backe - 1 Story

2009-09-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

1) Breckenridge (Anders Backe) 11 December, 2009

http://andersbacke.origo.no/-/bulletin/show/509645_breckenridge?ref=mst

In this post the writer states: "Visum for å komme inn i Canada. Greit maxern det! " Har du med deg våpen, sprengstoff, er du terrosist" Ja eller Nei?" Norwegians do not need a visa to enter Canada. The form mentioned in this posting is a Canadian customs declration card. The Canadian Customs card states: "Tous les voyageurs doivent être identifiés sur une carte de déclaration de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC). Vous pouvez inscrire jusqu’à quatre personnes résidant à la même adresse sur une carte. Chaque voyageur est responsable de sa propre déclaration. En vertu de la loi, le fait de ne pas déclarer correctement les marchandises, tout instrument monétaire et/ou toute devise, apportés au Canada peut entraîner une saisie, des sanctions pécuniaires et/ou des poursuites au criminel..." This declaration card is issued by Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC), and is given to the Canadian Customs officers when clearing Canadian customs. Under Canadian law a person entering the country is required to declare if they are bring in currency over a certain level, weapons, etc. Norwegians and Swedes, Americans, Brits, Canadians Australians, Mexicans, etc., etc., all need to fill it out when entering Canada.

Norges Bilbransjeforbund (NBF) - 1 Story

2009-07-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

1) Åpning av Worldskills i Calgary 1. september (Håvard Arne Mathisen) 2 September 2009

http://www.nbf.no/article.php?articleID=396&categoryID=130

In this story about the World Skills competition Canada hosted in the province of Alberta, the Norwegian writer states: "Canadas statsminister Stephen Harper, undervisningsministeren, guvernøren i delstaten Alberta, ordføreren i Calgary og representanter for WorldSkills Calgary og WorldSkills International hilste deltakerne og det store publikummet som fulgte det utendørs åpningsshowet fra "Grand stand". State Governor?? State?? This is not correct. How can Alberta have a "state governor" and be a state when there are no states, and no "state governors" in Canada. The only countries in North America that have states and state governors are Mexico and the USA. This story is an excellent example of how many Norwegian writers just guess or assume Canada is the same as the USA. Canada has been using provinces for 346 years since 1663, and the political leader of a Canadian province is a Premier, not a governor.

Aftenposten - 24 Stories

2009-06-30T19:19:00.006-07:00

1) Spår større rederier (Grete de Lange) 28 June 2005
http://n24.no/arkiv/article1069088.ece

In this story about Canadian shipping company, Teekay Shipping, the Norwegian journalist has placed the Canadian city of Vancouver (Teekay Shipping's head office) in the wrong country. She writes: "Vancouver, USA." In the USA?? The Canadian city of Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia located on the Canadian west coast, and Canada's third largest city after Toronto and Montreal. Vancouver has several million inhabitants, and is also the Canadian host city for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Is it no wonder so many Norwegians think that Canada is somehow a part of the United States when so often Canadian cities aren't even located in correct country - Canada? This is a fairly common problem in the Norwegian media's Canadian coverage. This would be like a Canadian journalist writing that Statoil or Statnett is in "Oslo, Sweden" or "Oslo, Germany." Even worse, after sending Aftenposten and Grete de Lange an e-mail to point out this mistake there has been no correction in Aftenposten. Why not? In a response from Greta de Lange she writes: "Thank you for your mail. We have discussed if we should correct the Vancouver mistake, but we think that our readers will understand that this is a slip of the pen. If you have more comments, please contact the person responsible for the business news, Johnny Gimmestad. Yours sincerely Grete de Lange" The code of ethics of the Norwegian Presseforbund states: "4.13. Incorrect information must be corrected and, when called for, an apology given." If the Norwegian journalist covering the story doesn't know the correct country the Canadian city is located in, then how can she expect most Norwegian readers will know? Even after pointing out the mistake there is no desire to fix the error! It is doubtful if the majority of Norwegian readers will understand the mistake and that it is Vancouver, Canada. If the professional Norwegian journalist writing the story doesn't know where Vancouver, Canada is located, will most Norwegian readers? For the sake of accurate and professional journalism, clarity to readers, and respect of the company being written about, the correct country should be listed, but, it seems Grete de Lange doesn't see it this way? No correction to the mistake has ever been made.
2) Ola og Kari skal lære å drikke smart (By KNUT H. LEKNES) 7 June 2005
http://www.aftenposten.no/helse/article803893.ece

In this story the journalist writes about the Canadian province of Quebec in Canada as "delstaten Quebec" (Quebec state). State?? Canada doesn't have states. This is a mistake. The geographic and political divisions internally in Canada are called provinces and have been called provinces in Canada for over 345 years, since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Canada, like China, Afghanistan, and many other countries in the world has provinces. There have never been states in Canada and this of course is a term so many Norwegian journalists for some strange reason just blindly apply to Canadian provinces. Why? It's very strange in the Norwegian media that Norwegian journalists never refer to the provinces in China, Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan (and other countries with provinces) as "states," but for some reason this habit seems to happen so often with Canada. Why do so many Norwegian journalists seem think we have states in Canada, when Canadian provinces pre-date USA states in North America? After sending e-mails to the journalist that made the mistake (over a year later) the story has not been corrected.
3) Slanket seg på McDonald's (By Morten Andersen) 2 March 2005
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article984361.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about a Canadian teacher that ate at McDonald's restaurants for 30 days and lost weight. In his story he writes "Ifølge CBS News" reports on this story. CBS News?? That's in the USA, not in Canada. This is not correct. The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) is a foreign news media agency from the USA; it's not from Canada. The story is actually taken from CBC (the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation / Radio-Canada) in Canada. Britain has the BBC, Norway the NRK, Australia the ABC, and Canada has the CBC. The Norwegian journalist reports on the Canadian story from a Canadian news source (CBC) and yet in his story he writes "Ifølge CBS News." How does it happen that a Canadian story from a Canadian news source ends up being quoted from a USA news media source, especially after the story was taken from a Canadian source? After emailing the Norwegian journalist he corrected the mistake in the story and wrote kanadiske CBC News. Why did this Norwegian journalist write Canada's national news media corporation (like Norway's NRK) is CBS News from the USA? Was is a guess or just assumed?
4) Tiltalt for drap på 27 kvinner (Trond Eide) 26 May 2005
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1046926.ece

In this terrible Canadian murder story about Robert Pickton in Canada, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Grisebonden Robert Pickton viste ingen følelser da han fikk høre tiltalen om drap på 27 kvinner. Han kan være en av de verste seriemorderne i amerikansk historie." American history?? Wrong nationality, wrong country! This terrible story took place in the province of British Columbia in Canada, so how can it be the worst in American history when it did not take place in the USA? The events of this story took place in Canada, so it is the worst in Canadian history. After e-mailing the Norwegian journalist that wrote the story it was corrected to: "Grisebonden Robert Pickton viste ingen følelser da han fikk høre tiltalen om drap på 27 kvinner. Han kan være en av de verste seriemorderne i nord-amerikansk historie." This is better, as Canada is located on the continent of North America, BUT, the worst mass murder in North-American history is from Mexico, not Canada.
5) Fugleinfluensa - verdens mest alvorlige trussel i dag? (JENS ULLTVEIT-MOE)
11 November 2005
http://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/article1154698.ece

In this story the writer states: "Delstaten Ontario i Canada hadde et sars-utbrudd som kostet 6 milliarder kroner." State?? Canada doesn't have states. This is a mistake. Ontario is a province in Canada over 1 million sq. kilometres in size. Mexico and USA are the only two countries in North America with states. Canada has been using the French system of provinces for over 345 years since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province if France. In e-mailing Jens Ulltveit-Moe to ask to correct the mistake, his reply was "no." Why is there so little respect by some in the Norway towards Canada, Canadians and Canadian culture that even the most basic of Canadian terms can't be respected, and mistakes about Canada corrected?
6) Luftballong brant opp (EIVIND SØRLIE) 25 August 2007

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1957022.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "En luftballong tok fyr i luften og brant opp i British Colombia i Canada fredag kveld lokal tid, ifølge nyhetsbyrået AP." The Canadian province of British Columbia is spelt "British Columbia," not "British Colombia" as the journalist has written. Colombia is a country in South America. The AP story this Aftenposten story is based off spells it correctly as "British Columbia."
7) Canadas metropol (Reprinted from Lonely Planet) 13 March 2006
http://forbruker.no/reise/article1247265.ece

In this story reprinted from the publication Lonely Planet, there is a picture of Toronto, Canada and the world's tallest building and free-standing tower the Canadian "CN Tower" at 553 metres. There is nothing wrong with the story, but it was reprinted by Aftenposten as "Flatation-bygget og skyskrapere. CNN-tårnet synes i bakgrunnen til venstre" CNN Tower? CNN is from the USA, not from Canada. That is a mistake. The correct name of the tower is the CN Tower, not the "CNN tower." The journalist that reprinted the story must have thought there was a mistake in the Lonely Planet publication and that the CN Tower should be called the CNN Tower after CNN News in the USA. The name of the tower is actually the "Canadian National Tower" or the "CN Tower" named after the Canadian National Railway, one of Canada's national railways that built the tower in 1976. Why does Aftenposten think it is named after a foreign news media outlet from the USA, when the tower is located in Canada? After a few e-mails to Aftenposten the mistake was corrected.
8) Vegvesenet får alkolås i alle tjenestebiler (By NTB) 26 September 2006
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article1472352.ece

In this story by NTB and posted by Aftenposten it states: "I dag brukes alkolås i privatbiler i Sverige og i delstater i USA og Canada. I Sverige..." States?? There are no states in Canada. To be correct, the sentence should say: "...delstater i USA og provinsene i Canada." Canada has never had states and has been using provinces since 1663. Why would an NTB journalist write we have states in Canada when we have provinces? A guess or an assumption? NTB, founded in 1867, has been informed of this mistake several times by Norwegian Media Watch that Canada has provinces, yet these mistakes seem to continue in some NTB stories. If NTB, Aftenposten and Norwegian journalists can correctly identify the provinces in China, Afghanistan, and other countries with provinces as "PROVINCES" in their stories, why can they not correctly identify provinces in Canada?
9) Cheney antyder at han kunne støtte tortur (Author unknown) 28 October 2006
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1511933.ece

In this story Aftenposten writes: "Clarke tok opp temaet under et foredrag i Ottawa i Canada tidligere denne uken, ifølge TV-kanalen CBS." CBS?? CBS is from the USA, not from Canada. This is a mistake. The report comes from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), not CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System). The story is from a Canadian news media outlet, not from CBS is a foreign news media outlet from the USA, not from Canada. The story was reported from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The following is a link about the story from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from October 27th: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2006/10/27/clarke-torture.html How does a news story written by a Canadian news agency, get quoted in the Norwegian Press, then referred to as a foreign news agency from the USA - a news agency that's not even from Canada? An e-mail about the mistake has been sent to the newspaper, but to date the story has not been corrected, nor a reply received.
10) Flyktninge-suksessen (LARS NEHRU SAND) 28April 2006

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1296790.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes, "Canadas ambassade i London." Canada has what is called a High Commission in London. Between British Commonwealth countries (Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, etc.) there are High Commissioners and High Commissions. What this journalist writes is not the correct terminology. Two e-mails were sent to notify the journalist of his mistake, but a reply was never received.
11) Forsvunnet kart åpnerfor norsk krav i Canada (MORTEN ANDERSEN)
18 March 2007

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article1695654.ece

This is probably one of the better Canadian stories covered in the Norwegian press about the Canadian Arctic and this Canadian/Norwegian story. Canada inherited much of the Canadian Arctic from Great Britain in the 1880s, and through Canadian explorations of the Canadian arctic. In the 1930s the Canadian Government purchased these three Norwegian charted islands in the Canadian Arctic to ensure Norway would have no claim to these islands inside Canadian territory. There is no doubt this story is not known by most Norwegians. The Canadian story from the Ottawa Citizen from 2003 quoted below tells the story. The only correction to the Norwegian story by Morten Andersen that could be made is to at least identify the Canadian currency of $67,000 as Canadian because most Norwegian readers will think it is USA currency, and not Canadian. See next story below as an example.
"Sverdrup wanted Norway's flag to wave in the [Canadian] North, but he settled for $67,000 [CAN$] Instead (By Randy Boswell - The Ottawa Citizen Saturday, Nov.15, 2003)"The author of a new book about Canada's quest for Arctic sovereignty has unearthed letters from the 1930s that shed new light on how Canada acquired three major islands from the Norwegian explorer who had discovered and claimed them for his own country. Historian Gerry Kenney says the documents make clear for the first time that Canada essentially purchased the islands -- covering a total area larger than Nova Scotia -- for $67,000, in a thinly disguised cash-for-land deal aimed at maintaining the appearance of unchallenged Canadian control over its northern frontier.The islands were discovered during an 1898-1902 Arctic expedition led by the Norwegian explorer Otto Sverdrup. He had dreamed, he once wrote, of journeying to the "many white spaces on the map which I was glad of an opportunity of colouring with the Norwegian colours."To this day they are known as the Sverdrup Islands, and each of them was named after one of the expedition's chief sponsors: the Norwegian consul Axel Heiberg, and two brothers from a wealthy brewing family, Ellef and Amund Ringnes.Last week, Canada Post and its Norwegian counterpart announced an upcoming joint issue of stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of Sverdrup's birth, his Arctic discoveries and the "common bond" between Canada and Norway that his expedition symbolizes.But when the islands were found more than a century ago, much different feelings were in play. Sverdrup's discoveries shocked the Canadian government, and officials in a host of ministries -- not to mention (Canadian) prime minister Wilfrid Laurier -- became concerned about the strength of our territorial claims in the Arctic. Britain's possessions in the far North had been transferred to this country in 1880, but Canada had done almost nothing to assert its control over the vast region. Having a Norwegian explorer announce the discovery of new lands in Canada's North was an embarrassment and a wake-up call.Several Canadian expeditions were organized in the early 1900s to help cement this country's avowed ownership of hundreds of Arctic islands. Those voyages and their leaders are at the centre of Mr. Kenney's book, Ships of Wood and Men of Iron, which is to be published early next year.Canada even devised what it called "the sector principle" to attempt to justify its supposed sovereignty over all territory between the northern coast of mainland Canada and the North Pole.But apart from the Soviet Union, which had its own expansive northern coastline, no other country accepted the logic of the sector principle. Norway and other nations argued that the discovery, occupation and use of land were more important features of sovereignty than geographical geometry.By the 1920s, a worrisome question mark still hung over the Sverdrup Islands. In Norway, the aging Sverdrup was pushing his government to send police patrols to the islands as a demonstration that they were, in fact, Norwegian possessions.The Canadian government -- like Norway -- was reluctant to spend much money to assert sovereignty over islands with little apparent value. The islands, partly covered by glaciers, were home to no Inuit at that time, no significant numbers of muskox or other Arctic wildlife and no known mineral deposits worth retrieving.But allowing Norway a territorial foothold in North America was viewed as an unwanted political complication for Canada. And acknowledging Norwegian sovereignty over the islands might have undermined other Canadian claims in the Arctic at a time when Americans and Scandinavians were regularly exploring the polar region without seeking permission from Canada.So, in the mid-1920s, Norway and Canada began formal discussions about the sovereignty of the Sverdrup Islands. Unwilling to spend money to assert its control over such remote and barren lands, but under pressure from Sverdrup not to renounce ownership, Norway gradually began pushing for a negotiated settlement.It wanted Canada to pay Sverdrup, the Norwegian government and other sponsors of the 1898-1902 expedition a total of $100,000 in exchange for Norway assenting to Canadian sovereignty. Canada initially offered $25,000 but wanted Norway to accept the validity of the sector principle.In the end, Norway agreed to recognize Canadian sovereignty over the islands but emphasized this was "in no way based on any sanction whatever of what is named 'the sector principle.'"In return, Canada agreed to pay Sverdrup $67,000. Ostensibly, the payment would be made for Sverdrup's original journals and maps. The money would not be publicized as being part of an exchange that gave Canada unchallenged title to the Sverdrup Islands.Now, Mr. Kenney says he's found unassailable proof that Canada basically bought sovereignty of the islands."Although the official record indicates that the grant to Sverdrup was for the delivery of his original maps, records and diaries, several pieces of official correspondence show that Canada was in fact purchasing much more than mere pieces of paper," Mr. Kenney writes. "It was to maintain a continuous, unbroken thread of sovereignty from 1880, when the British Crown ceded the Arctic to Canada, right through to 1930 and hopefully forever after. The continuity of the thread gave it its strength and Canada did everything in its power to demonstrate that the thread had never been broken."The "real motive" behind the $67,000 payment, Mr. Kenney says, is revealed in an Oct. 17, 1930, letter from O.S. Finnie of Canada's department of the interior to O.D. Skelton, the powerful undersecretary of state for external affairs."The main objective of entering into our negotiations with Sverdrup was for the purpose of securing from the Norwegian Government a recognition of the British Sovereignty in that portion of the Arctic north of the North American continent," Mr. Finnie states bluntly.Sverdrup, who reluctantly consented to give up his islands in exchange for Canadian cash, didn't have much time to enjoy his belated windfall.He died on Nov. 26, 1930, barely two weeks after the deal was made."
12) Måtte bindes til flysetet (KURT HAUGLI) 30 March 2007
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1717263.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes that this man was find $12,000 (approximately 80,000 NOK) for his disturbance of a flight from Norway to the USA. The flight en route to the USA was forced to land in Canada. He was finded $12,000, but in Canadian currency, not American currency. The Norwegian journalist writes: "Torsdag ble den 47 år gamle mannen idømt en bot på 12.000 dollar (ca 80.000 kroner), melder AP" The Norwegian journalist has taken the $12,000 Canadian currency AP correctly states in their story, and converts the Canadian currency with the exchange rate for the NOK-USD, and not the correct NOK-CAD. The USA is Canada's southern neighbour, and the Canadian legal system does not use the USA's currency any more than Norway uses the EURO or Swedish crowns. Canadians use Canadian currency in Canada. As a result, the Norwegian journalist writes the amount as 80,000 NOK. The correct amount, with the correct Canadian exchange rate is 63,000 NOK, a difference of 17,000 NOK. Why do so many Norwegian journalists think we use USA currency is the national currency of Canada? Is the Swedish Crown the currency of Norway? Do Norwegians think Australia or New Zealand uses USA's currency? The AP story does not state $12,000 USD, yet it is assumed that it is USA currency, despite the fact the story took place in Canada. After e-mailing the journalist about this error the story was corrected. It now states: "12.000 canadiske dollar (drøye 60.000 kroner), melder AP." How many Canadian news stories about Norway use the Swedish Crown as the currency for Norway? How many Canadian tourists arrive in Norway with Swedish Crowns thinking this is the currency used in Norway? Where are Norwegian reporters getting their information from that these types of mistakes happen so often?
13) Gruvearbeidere reddet ut etter ulykke i Canada (NTB/AFP/REUTERS)

30 January 2006

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1209917.ece

In this NTB story the Canadian province is called "delstaten Saskatchewan." This is not correct. State? Canada does not have states. Saskatchewan is a province in Canada, not a state as NTB writes. Canada does not have and has never had states. The original AFP/Reuters stories do not refer to Saskatchewan as a state, so why is it changed in the Norwegian NTB story? This is another example of how many in the Norwegian press and in this case NTB, seem to just guess or assume information about Canada. An e-mail was sent to NTB to correct this mistake, but a reply was never received.
14) Blackberry kommer til Norge (KLAUS BØRRINGBO) 16 October 2006

This story is an excellent example of how often recognition, credit, or reference to Canada is left out of many Norwegian stories about Canada. This story talks about the Canadian BlackBerry coming to Norway. In the story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Blackberry har lenge ledet an i en rekke av de store internasjonale markedene. Ved å levere sikker e-post-teknologi til mobil har Balckberry sikret seg 5,5 millioner brukere i USA, Sør-Amerika, Asia og Europa. Nå skal suksessen lanseres for første gang i Norge." Not a single word or reference about Canada, Blackberry being a Canadian success story, or any mention of Canada. There are 5.5 millions users in Canada, Asia, Europe, South America, and the USA. Canada is even excluded in his totals when the product was first introduced and invented in Canada. and the totals he uses actually DO INCLUDE Canada! Why is it, even when a product like Blackberry has its origins in Canada, is Canada and Canadian content is a story, so often not worth mentioning by many Norwegian journalists? He further writes: "Den første BlackBerry terminalen ble lansert i USA i 1997." This is also wrong. The product first Balckberry was in Canada in 1997. Considering the product is Canadian, first introduced in Canada, is Canadian technology, and exported to the USA, and now the Canadian company has introduced it into Norway - none of this is mentioned. If this company and product was American, there is no doubt the USA would mentioned throughout Norwegian stories. And, in fact, if one was to read the majority of BlackBerry stories in the Norwegian media, one would find there is little connection to BlackBerry/Research in Motion being Canadian. But, one can very easily get the impression in the Norwegian media that Blackberry is made out to be an American success story. How BlackBerry is represented by many in the Norwegian press is like Canadian journalists writing about some extremely successful Norwegian product sold world-wide, but made only references to its success in the USA or Sweden, referred to the product as from the USA or Sweden, or being American or Swedish, and only talked about famous Americans or Swedes using it, and virtual never made any reference its home country of Norway. The Norwegian press would not portray American success stories as Canadian, so why do Canadian success stories like Blackberry get portrayed as American by so many in the Norwegian press? Is it the Norwegian habit of trying to make Canada and Canadian success look American and from the USA? Is there more prestige in Norway to make Canadians and Canadian success look American, and that is better? Is there a Norwegian media habit of seeing everything from the North America side of the Atlantic Ocean as being from the USA?
15) Garanterer USA-endring senest i 2009 (OLE MATHISMOEN) 11 Dec. 2007
http://www.aftenposten.no/klima/article2146207.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalists writes: "En rekke stater og to stater i Canada har innført." States?? There are no states in Canada. This is not correct. To be correct it should say "En rekke stater og to provinser i Canada har innført." Canada has been using provinces for 346 years, since 1663, when Canada became a royal province of France. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not.
16) Ti romantiske reisemål (FREDRIK LARSEN) 27 December 2007
http://www.aftenposten.no/reise/article2168457.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "to byene Vancouver og Victoria i delstaten British Columbia." The two Canadian cities of Victoria (provincial capital of British Columbia) and Vancouver are in the province of British Columbia, not the "state" as the journalist writes. Canada has been using the French system of provinces for over 345 years since Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not. The original story from Frommer's website this story is taken from does not refer to the Canadian province of British Columbia as a "state," this has been added in by the Norwegian journalist either by guessing or not verifing this fact before printing his story.
17) Gutta på tur (PÅL V. HAGESÆTHER) 12 March 2008

http://www.aftenposten.no/reise/article2309066.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Montreal: Jazz, festivaler, fransk sjarm og delikatesser fra alle verdenshjørner. Den nest største byen i Canada er en miks av Frankrike og USA, og har en stor homobydel som er en turistattraksjon for folk i alle filer." France and USA?? Is Norway a mix of German and Swedish? Or Danish and Swedish?? This is another example of how many Norwegian journalists don't give Canada proper credit. Montreal is a great Canadian city, the largest French speaking city in Canada, the second largest French speaking city in the world after Paris, and the second largest Canadian city. It lies in Canada, has French colonial roots, with Canadian, British, and influences and style. The city is a mix of French-Canadian, European and Canadian style for the most part, not American. Many cities in Mexico, Canada, and the USA have similar style, but this is a North American style, not just American. Montreal was founded in 1632. This would be like a Canadian journalist writing Norway is a mix of Danish and Swedish style, and not bothering to recognise Norwegians for it for being Norwegian.
18) Sport på amerikansk (By KURT HAUGLI ) 23 September 2008
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/article2669950.ece
In this story there are photos available under the heading "Sport på amerikansk," but the last two pictures are of a Canadian sport, not American sport, with three Canadian teams and Canadian players, not American. The game of hockey is a Canadian invented game frm 1800s, as well as the NHL is a Canadian founded league from 1917, expanded into the USA in 1923. The game of hockey is a Canadian sport, not American as the journalist writes. And posting pictures of this Canadian sport and giving the Americans credit for this sport is wrong. Why do the Americans get credit for a Canadian sport when it's not American? Especially when the two NHL games are from Canadian teams from games played in Canada? The other sports photos you have posted American football, and American baseball are American, but the hockey you posted is a Canadian sport with Canadian teams playing in Canada. not American. The one picture with the Buffalo Sabres is an American team, but in the USA they play Canadian hockey, so can it possibly be called a sport invented in Canada as American? If there was posted a picture of two Norwegian football teams from say Molde and Oslo should the heading above the title saying "Swedish Sports" or "German Sports," especially if the game is played in Norway? If there is posted a picture of two Norwegian XC skiers should it be stated as a Swedish or German sport? Should credit go to the Swedes or Germans for what is a Norwegian sport? The photo of Vancouver and Edmonton playing was not even played in the USA, it was played in Canada! An e-mail was sent several times to the Kurt and Aftenposten, but a reply was never received, and a correction was never made. This is another example of how Canadian content is changed or lumped in with American content to be made to look American to Norwegian readers.
19) Få deg en e-post-dytt (KLAUS BØRRINGBO) 11 December 2006
http://forbruker.no/digital/tester/mobil/article1559788.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "BlackberryDenne store push-mail-suksessen fra Kanada ble lansert i Norge i midten av oktober i år. Blackberry har i dag over 6 millioner brukere, hovedsakelig på de amerikanske kontinenter, Asia og noe i Europa. Suksessen har vært størst i USA, der "alle" forretnigsfolk i flere år allerede har bragt med seg e-posten ut av kontoret i denne typen mobiler." It's not the American continent, the correct term is North America.
20) Brukte klær mer trendy (SOL GABRIELLE LARSEN) 1 December 2008
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/oslo/article2800039.ece
In this story the journalist writes about a Canadian from Toronto in Canada. She writes: "Jeg har alltid elsket vintage på grunn av moten, ikke på grunn av prisen. Men etter at jeg flyttet til Oslo, har jeg kjøpt brukt på grunn av prisen, sier Kilgour som opprinnelig er fra Toronto i USA, men som nå studerer på Blindern i Oslo." In USA?? Wrong country. The Canadian city of Toronto is located in the country of Canada, not in the USA as the journalist writes. What this journalist has written is like a Canadian journalist interviewing a Norwegian from Oslo and writing Oslo is located in Germany or Russia. Later she also writes: "- Det har den siste tiden blitt mer viktig for folk å kjøpe brukt, spesielt i USA. Folk har ikke råd til å kjøpe dyre klær lengre. Da kan man heller handle på bruktbutikker, kanskje kommer man også over gamle designklær der, sier hun." But is this correct? Is she talking about Canada or the USA? She quotes a Canadian that moved from Toronto in Canada, but she writes USA? Toronto is a Canadian city with a population of 4.5 million people, and is not and has never been located in the USA. Is it not clear in Norway that there are three countries in North America (Canada, Mexico, USA) and not just the USA? After two days and five e-mails to Aftenposten, including three to the author, the story was corrected.
21) Det amerikanske forsvaret følger nissen (KLAUS BØRRINGBO) 23 Dec. 2008
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article2837777.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det amerikanske forsvaret følger nissen." This is not correct. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is not just American as the journalist writes in the story title, it is North American. To be specific, it is a defence organisation of two countries in North America - Canada and the USA, that work together for the common air space defence of North America (except Mexico). The title should state: "Det canadisk og amerikanske forsvaret følger nissen." NORAD it is both run by both Canadians and Americans. If Norway and Sweden had a joint programme to protect Norwegian and Swedish airspace this would be like a Canadian journalist headlining "Det svenske forsvaret følger nissen" and not bothering to recognise Norwegian ownership of the programme. Give Canada some credit is due, and stop making what is also Canadian look American. NORAD is called "North American..." for a reason. In addition the journalist writes: "Julenissen følges fra minutt til minutt på radar av amerikansk forsvar på julaften." This should say: "Julenissen følges fra minutt til minutt på radar av amerikansk og kanadisk forsvar på julaften." NORAD's website states: "The fourth system is made up of fighter jets. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15 or the F-16 get the thrill of flying alongside Santa and his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph." What's wrong with giving Canada some credit where credit is due?
22) Riisnæs svarte leserne (Fredrik Larsen) 25 June 2007
http://www.aftenposten.no/reise/article1854945.ece
23) Milliarder fordunster (BRIT MYHRVOLD) 4 October 2001
http://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/kommentarer/article206818.ece
In this story the journalist writes: "Resultatvarsel fra amerikanske Nortel Networksble oppgitt som en av årsakene til at teknologiaksjer falt i Europa." American?? Wrong nationality. Nortel is Canadian, not American, and is from Canada, not from the USA.
24) Hannah Montana på kinotoppen (TONE B. VÆRVÅGEN) 11 May 2009
http://oslopuls.aftenposten.no/film/article196835.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes. "I USA har Star Trek dratt inn 76, 5 millioner dollar åpningshelgen." In the USA?? It was a North American release, not just the USA. This is the North America total. It should say: "I Nord-Amerika (ikke Mexico) har Star Trek dratt inn 76, 5 millioner dollar åpningshelgen." The amount is Canadian sales in Canadian Theatres in Canada, and American sales in American theatres in the USA. The amounts do not include Mexico, even though they are in North America. The amount of 76.5 millioner is for two countries - Canada and USA, not just the USA as the journalist states.

Nordens-Nyheter - 1 Story

2009-06-30T19:19:00.005-07:00

1) Arbeidsløsheten øker neste år (Nils Petter Tanderø) 22 September 2009
http://www.nordensnyheter.no/default.aspx?Id=2196
"Amerikansk prestisjetap Styreleder Frank Stronach, som startet Magna, er født i Weiz, i Østerrike og emigrerte til Canada i 1954. "

Puls Music - 1 Story

2009-06-30T19:19:00.003-07:00

1) Pagan's Mind til USA (Odd Inge Rand) 4 August 2009
http://www.puls.no/15767.html
In this entertainment story, the journalist writes: "Skiens progressive sønner Pagan's Mind skal være oppvarmere for finske Stratovarius i USA i september og oktober." There is nothing technically wrong with that, BUT, Canada is NOT IN the USA. Of the 19 dates below, there are 9 dates that in the country of Canada, not in the USA. Amazing that Canadian concert tour dates make up almost 50% of the tour, yet Canada is listed under the USA in the heading, Canada is not mentioned, and Canadian portion of the tour is not mentioned. It seems the USA tour is worth mentioning, but the Canadian portion of the tour, or even going to Canada is not worth mentioning. This is like a Canadian journalist writing about a Canadian band touring Sweden and Norway, but just mentioning the band going to Sweden, listing the Swedish and Norwegian dates, but never actually mentioning Norway. To be at least fair in this story, it should say:

"Pagan's Mind til Nord-Amerika" or "Pagan's Mind til Canada og USA" and"Skiens progressive sønner Pagan's Mind skal være oppvarmere for finske Stratovarius i Nord-Amerika i september og oktober."

Are Norwegians no better at seeing Canada as part of the USA, in the same way Norwegians complain how the world sees them as part of Sweden?

Sep. 12 - Atlanta, GA - Centre Stage (ProgPower USA festival)

Sep. 16 - New York, NY - Nokia Theater

Sep. 18 - Toronto, ON - Opera House - CANADA

Sep. 19 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial de Quebec - CANADA

Sep. 20 - Montreal, QC - Medley - CANADA

Sep. 21 - Boston, MA - Middle East

Sep. 23 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar

Sep. 24 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's

Sep. 25 - Mokena, IL - Pearl Room

Sep. 26 - St. Paul, MN - Station 4

Sep. 27 - Winnipeg, MB - Garrick Centre - CANADA

Sep. 28 - Regina, SK - The Riddell at University - CANADA

Sep. 29 - Calgary, AB - Warehouse - CANADA

Sep. 30 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room - CANADA

Oct. 02 - Vancouver, BC - Plaza Club - CANADA

Oct. 03 - Victoria, BC - Sugar - CANADA

Oct. 04 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon

Oct. 06 - San Francisco, CA - The Grand Ballroom at the Regency

Oct. 07 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club"

Avisen Agder - 2 Stories

2009-06-30T19:19:00.001-07:00

1) Leiv Erikssons tipp-oldefar kom fra Kvinesdal! 1 April 2008
http://www.avisenagder.no/Nyheter/tabid/250/Default.aspx?ModuleId=13704&articleView=true

In this story the journalist writes: "Nytt fra januar 2008 er at Troens Bevis nå også har satellittsendinger over hele Nord-Amerika, Canada, og De karibiske øyene." Canada is located in North America. It should say "Nytt fra januar 2008 er at Troens Bevis nå også har satellittsendinger over hele Nord-Amerika, og De karibiske øyene." Under the photo it states: "Leiv Eirikson oppdager Amerika." It should say "Leiv Eirikson oppdager Nord-Amerika." The confirmed viking settlements in North America are in the Canada, in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador."

2) Satyricon i slaget 10 July 2009

http://www.avisenagder.no/Nyheter/tabid/250/Default.aspx?ModuleId=32770&articleView=true

In this story the writer states: "Under bandets andre USA-turnè i 2004 ble begge de innleide gitaristene i Satyricon siktet for neddoping og voldtekt av en kvinne i Toronto." How can it be a USA tour, when Toronto is in Canada? To be correct you should be saying: "Under bandets andre Canada-turnè i 2004 ble begge de innleide gitaristene i Satyricon siktet for neddoping og voldtekt av en kvinne i Toronto."

Skepsis.no - 1 Story

2009-06-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

1) "Oak Island: Snart er skatten vår en vår" (Bjørn Are Davidsen) 4 June 2009
http://skepsis.no/?p=698

DagenMagazinet.no - 1 Story

2009-06-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

1) Rick Warren støtter anglikanske utbrytere (JOHANNES REINDAL) 26 June 2009
http://www.dagenmagazinet.no//Kristenliv/tabid/256/Default.aspx?articleView=true&ModuleId=62005
"ACNA står for Anglican Church of North America og omfatter utbrytere fra den episkopale kirken i USA og Canada"

TV2 (Nettavisen) - 34 Stories

2009-06-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

1) «Uno» får amerikansk debut (By Vibeke Johnsen) 23 August 2004

http://pub.tv2.no/TV2/underholdning/film/article268693.ece
In the title of this story the Norwegian journalist writes the Norwegian film "Uno" will make its "American" debut at Canada's Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. American?? Wrong country, wrong nationality. Canada, Mexico, and the USA are located in North America, and the Toronto International Film Festival is a Canadian film festival located in the Canadian city of Toronto, not in the USA, and is not an American film festival. The Norwegian film is making its "Canadian" debut or "North American" debut because it is happening in Canada; the Americans have nothing to do with its debut. To be correct it should say "Canadian Debut" since it is premiering at a Canadian film festival, and why not give credit to Canada and Canadians? First, Toronto is located in Canada, and Canadians inhabit Canada, not Americans. Second, in order for the film to make an American debut as the journalist has written, it would have to make its debut in the USA. And third, the Toronto International Film Festival is a film festival with films from all around the world. Is writing "Canadian Debut" at a Canadian International Film Festival not enough status to Norwegians? Why would a journalist deliberately change the nationality of a Canadian film festival to American, or try to make it look American? Is Canadian not good enough? It would be like a Canadian journalist changing the origin of the Cannes Film Festival to Germany from France, or the Nobel Peace Prize from Norway to Denmark. It would be like a Canadian journalist writing a Canadian film is debuting at the Bergen International Film Festival making its "Swedish Debut" just because Canadians felt Sweden gave us more "status" than Norway. In an e-mail to Vibeke Johnsen asking her why this mistake happened she writes: "Of course we know that Toronto is not a city in America, but I see that there's a clever soul trying to put as much into the title as possible here :-) The title is wrong and it is now corrected. It's not always easy to check these errors when I am out travelling. However, the festival calls itself the largest North-American festival and it is more of a meeting place for American filmmakers than anywhere else. I guess that's what they were trying to derive in the title from the story, but I absolutely agree that in this case it turned out wrong. Best regards, Vibeke Johnsen Entertainment Editor - Nettavisen." It is good to see the mistake correct, even if sometime later, and to admit the mistake, but the film festival is more than just Americans coming to Canada to promote their films, it is an international festival, with a lot of Canadian film content, and international content. Aren't there enough American film festivals in the USA Norwegian journalists can give "Uno" or other Norwegian films credit for debuting at an American festival? Is Canada seen as so small a country and having no real cultural importance in the Norwegian mind-set that changing the story to look like Norwegians are having American success is better, even when the success or debut is not in the USA? Does that mean that the Toronto International Film Festival is not good enough because it's a Canadian film festival? She states the festival is more a place for American filmmakers than anywhere else. Is this really true? What about Canadian and international filmmakers? What about Cannes in France? How does she know if more American filmmakers come to Cannes, France or Toronto, Canada? What about film festivals in the USA, they surely have more American filmmakers there than an international festival in Canada? The Toronto International Film Festival in 2004 showcased "328 films from 60 countries over its 10-day run." That doesn't seem mostly American as the journalist has written. The story was later changed to "Toronto" (not Canadian debut) after contacting TV2. This story is an excellent example of the problem some Norwegian journalists have in seeing and respecting Canadians (and Canada) for who they really are. And how Norwegians when doing well in Canada, sometimes try to portray they are having success in the USA instead of Canada, or passing off Canadian success as American success, or Canadian nationality as American, with little or no reference to Canada. Many Norwegian readers must be true experts on Canada and Canadian geography when so many Canadian cities are often mentioned in stories, and not the country of Canada itself. It seems like for some reason doing well in Canada, is not seen as having as much status as in the USA, and that may be so for Norwegians, as Canada is not the USA, but if the festival is Canadian, and the film is making a Canadian debut in Canada, it should respectfully recognised as Canadian. For some reason, it is sometimes common for Norwegian journalists to remove and change Canadian details (or at least include as little as possible) to give the impression Norwegians are actually doing well in the USA. Canada is the neighbour to the USA and is not part of the USA anymore than Norway is part of Germany or Sweden. Strange how this does not happen to countries like Great Britain and Australia in the Norwegian press, but it seems "little Canada" is not important enough to Norwegians. This website has many examples of this Norwegian media habit.

2) «Ringenes Herre»-musikal klar (Christian Borge Rief) 27 October 2005

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/kultur/kunst/article481984.ece
In this story about the Canadian production and world premier of the Lord of the Rings musical taking place in Toronto, Canada. The journalist assumes, for some reason, the ticket cost for the show are $115.00 USD in his story. Why would the tickets be selling in American money in Canada? That's like a Canadian journalist writing the tickets at Oslo's new opera house sell in Swedish Crowns. The story is from Canada, and the currency used in Canada is Canadian dollars, not American money. But, for some strange reason he converts the $115 Canadian ticket price with exchange rate from a different country, in this case the USD-NOK rate, instead of by the correct rate based on the CAD-NOK exchange rate. Canada is not in the USA, so why would Canada use the USA's money? The Norwegian journalist writes $115 and then converts the Canadian amount with the USD-NOK exchange rate to get the wrong amount of 732 Norwegian kroner when it should be 630 Norwegian kroner ($115 Canadian currency x 5.51 NOK-CAD is 632 NOK, not 732 as the Norwegian journalist writes). This story is another example, of how many Norwegian journalists don't even know we use Canadian money in Canada. Why would Canada use a foreign currency? Are EUROs or Swedish Crowns the national currency of Norway? So why would Canadians use American money Canada, when Canada is not located in the USA? And in addition, even stranger, the BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4376452.stm) even writes the tickets are $115 Canadian each, yet the Norwegian journalists still uses the American currency exchange rate. The worst examples of this is when Canadian business stories are printed where Canadian stocks and shares, and financial transactions are quoted in the Norwegian press with the wrong totals because of this mistake. Very unprofessional. Mexico is also located in North America and no one in Norway assumes the national currency of Mexico is the USA's currency, and not the Mexican peso. Norwegian stories never seem to be converting Australian or New Zealand national currencies with USD-NOK exchange rates, so why does this happen so often to Canadian stories? Australia is a smaller country geographically and population than Canada (Canada 33 million people, Australia 20 million), Canada is a G-8 nation with 8th largest economy and the 7th largest traded currency in the world, and Norway's third largest trading partner after the EU and USA, so why so many mistakes in the Norwegian press? If British, Swedish, French, German and American news journalist can report about Canada and our Canadian currency accurately why can't Norwegian journalists?

3) Generalprøvene før Premier League (By Dag Langeroed) 10 July 2005

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/pl/article410729.ece
In this article the journalist writes about an English football team travelling to Canada and the United States to participate in some pre-season football matches, the Norwegian journalist writes the teams are just going to the USA, and writes the Canadian cities are located in the USA. Wrong country! Here are the "USA" dates he writes:

"Sunderland:

14. jul: Victoria State - Sunderland (i USA) - [Wrong country]
16. jul: Vancouver Whitecaps - Sunderland (i USA) - [Wrong country]
20.jul: Seattle Sounders - Sunderland (i USA)
23.jul: Portland Timbers - Sunderland (i USA)"

Actually the Canadian cities of Victoria (capital city of the Province of British Columbia) and Vancouver listed above are in the country of Canada, not in the USA. The two cities are located in the province of British Columbia located on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver is the Canadian host city for 2010 Winter Olympics. To be correct it should read:

"Sunderland:

14. jul: Victoria State - Sunderland (i Canada)

16. jul: Vancouver Whitecaps - Sunderland (i Canada)

20. jul: Seattle Sounders - Sunderland (i USA)

23. jul: Portland Timbers - Sunderland (i USA)"

Even though the list of dates, cities and countries on the English football team's website list the Canadian cities in Canada, the Norwegian journalist has changed them to the USA. Why? E-mails from the author of the story at TV2 didn’t clarify why he changed the country for the Canadian games, and it took a month to have the story corrected. Why would the journalist would change the name of the country and the name of the team they are playing against in Victoria? The team in Victoria, Canada they are playing is not called "Victoria State" as the Norwegian journalist has written. Victoria is a city in Canada, not a state. Why does it take a month to fix a mistake and several e-mails? How does it even happen in the first place when the source of information clearly states Canada?

4) Kandrer bilspill for dødsulykke (By Lars Wærstad) 6 February 2006

http://tv2.subnett.no/nyheter.asp
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes the Canadian city of Toronto as being in the USA. USA? Wrong country! The truth is that Toronto is actually located in the country of Canada. Toronto is the largest city in Canada with ca. 4.5 million people, and the capital of the province of Ontario in Canada, and yet for some reason this journalist writes it's in the USA. After mentioning to him the mistake, he wrote to say it was changed. And as far as can been seen on TV2 website, the story has just disappeared, not corrected. Why would a journalist write Canada's largest city is in the USA? That's like a Canadian journalist writing Oslo is in Sweden or Germany. Was is a guess or an assumption?

5) Fikk åtte barn med stedøtre (Ole Peder Giæver) 16 February 2002

http://arkiv.nettavisen.no/Nyhet/140684/Fikk+%C3%A5tte+barn+med+sted%C3%B8tre.html

In this story the Norwegian journalists writes: "I den kanadiske delstaten British Columbia ble han torsdag funnet skyldig i å ha hatt sex med mindreårige, og i seksuelle overgrep." Canadian state?? This is not correct. To be correct it should say: "I den kanadiske delstaten British Columbia ble han torsdag funnet skyldig i å ha hatt sex med mindreårige, og i seksuelle overgrep." British Columbia is a province in Canada, not a state. Canada does not have states, and has been using provinces since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North American with states.

6) Dramatisk NHL-start (Stig Nygård) 6 October 2005

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/ishockey/article469087.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist refers to the Canadian founded National Hockey League (NHL/LNH) as American. American?? How can that be when it was founded in Canada, and there are teams based in TWO countries, not just the USA? First, the NHL/LNH is a league with teams from two of the three countries in North America, Canada and the USA. Canada founded the league in 1917, gave it it's name, the Stanley Cup trophy, the rules, and much more, so it's fair to say some credit to Canada is deserved. Ignorance of the NHL doesn't make it right to give the Americans credit for what has become a North American league. In the article he writes the Americans are following the European lead; what he should be writing is the "Canadians and Americans" (or the North-Americans) are following the European lead. Why would he write the Americans and forget about the Canadian content of the NHL? The reality is the even though the NHL/LNH has more USA based teams playing in the NHL than Canada does, there are more Canadians watching hockey than all the Americans that watch hockey with all their USA based teams combined. In addition, 55% of all the players playing for all the NHL/LNH teams are still Canadians, and when the league was founded in Canada in 1917, it was closer to 100% of the players were Canadians. In Norwegian: Ligaen er kanadisk fra 1917 og NHL betyr the "National Hockey League" og National betyr Canada, ikke USA. De amerikanske NHL lagene spiller i Canadas nasjonal hockeyliga (the National Hockey League), selv om det er i dag mere amerikanske lag enn kanadiske lag. Amerikanske lag fikk lov til å spille i Canadas NHL i 1920 årene, men ligaen er forstatt kanadisk. The Stanley Cup heter faktisk "Lord Stanley Dominion Challenge Cup." Dominion er "The Dominion of Canada," Canadas navn. After e-mailing the journalist to correct the mistake, a correction has never been made. It seems that it is virtually impossible to convince some Norwegian journalists that not everything in North America is American or from the USA. Mexico and Canada are in North America as well, and have made contributions to North America and the world. Why is it so difficult to convince some Norwegian journalists that not everything in North America is American?

7) Ny utlending til Storhamar (No author listed) 22 June 2006

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/ishockey/article665767.ece

In this story about a Canadian hockey player TV2 writes that Perry Johnson comes from the "University of Alabama" in the USA. That is not correct. Perry Johnson comes from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, in Alberta, in Canada. How is it that Johnson is reported being from a foreign country and foreign university in the USA, when he is from Canada? The University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada is over 4,000 kilometres north of the US state of Alabama. After sending TV2 an e-mail about the mistake in this story, a correction has never been made and a reply was never received by TV2. The Norsk Pressforbund states: "Code of Ethics of the Norwegian Press 4.13. Incorrect information must be corrected and, when called for, an apology given, as soon as possible." The mistake has not been corrected and their is no reference as to the person or source of the story. This is very typical response received (or not received) by many Norwegian news outlets; it seems they don't care to be informed of a mistake, and some care even less to correct their mistakes. Many do, but it seems trying to get many news media outlets to change their mistakes is often difficult. Why do so many Norwegian journalist not care if there are mistakes in their stories? Is it because they are mistakes about Canada and Canadians, and Canada doesn't matter? Is it discrimination? A double standard? Is it arrogance? Or, is it just ignorance? Are so many Norwegian journalists so knowledgeable about Canada, Canadians and Canadian culture they are 100% convinced what they have written is correct?

8) Verdens lengste fyllefest (Anders Røeggen) 18 September 2006

http://www.side2.no/reise/article741885.ece
9) Jesus, for en park! (By Anders Røeggen) 15 July 2006

http://www.side2.no/reise/reisemal/nord-amerika/article685680.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Mall of America var lenge verdens største kjøpesenter." That is not correct. The Canadian shopping centre - the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Canada, has always been larger than the Mall of America in the USA. The West Edmonton Mall was built in 1981. The American shopping centre was built in 1992. The Wikipedia website states about the Mall of America in the USA: "The mall became the largest shopping mall in total area in the United States when it opened in 1992; however, the mall has never been the largest in the world." Why would a Norwegian journalist write it has long been the world's largest when it has never been? A guess? An assumption? Why are simple facts like these not checked before printed? Of all the coverage in this story about family theme parks the largest in Canada is not even mentioned. Is that complete and accurate journalism? Two days later the story was corrected.

10) Peter Jennings er død (Runa Hestmann Tierno) 8 August 2005

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article433403.ece
In this story about Canadian news journalist Peter Jennings the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det amerikanske nyhetsankeret Peter Jennings er død, 67 år gammel." This Norwegian story is another excellent example of how often Canadians that have made a success in their careers in foreign countries like the USA, are virtually not recognised nor respected for being Canadian. In this story the journalist refers to Jennings an "amerikanske nyhetsankeret" and little reference to his Canadian nationality. Peter Jennings was born and raised, educated, and started his news journalism career IN CANADA. Born and raised as a Canadian, Peter Jennings has always been a Canadian, and a Canadian citizen. In the 1960s Peter Jennings was offered an opportunity to work for NBC news in the USA. Until the age of 65, Peter Jennings never even had American citizenship, he has always been a Canadian. At 65 he applied and received American citizenship and thus had dual-citizenship. Under Canadian law, a Canadian can also have dual citizenship with a foreign country (e.g. say with Norway, Denmark, Britain, Spain, USA), and still keep his Canadian citizenship. In this story, despite the fact he is a Canadian, raised a Canadian, educated in Canada, has Canadian citizenship, Canadian family, and never applied to receive American citizenship until 65 years of age, there is little credit given to him being a Canadian all his life. Yet, in the Norwegian press if this man was a Norwegian that went to the USA to work, never gave up his Norwegian citizenship, he would still be regarded as a Norwegian. A clear double standard on how many Canadians working in the USA are reported on in the Norwegian press. For some reason in the Norwegian press little credit is given to Canadians that work in a foreign country (like in the USA) for being Canadians. Unlike Brits, Australians, and Norwegians - it seems Canadian nationality and citizenship is less recognised in the Norwegian press when they live and work in the USA. Why are Canadians when working in the USA less recognised for their Canadian nationality, and more likely to be incorrectly identified American nationality than, Australians, Norwegians or British working in the USA? Despite the fact Peter Jennings was a Canadian and had Canadian citizenship all his life, and only had US citizenship the last two years of his life, why can't he be recognised in the Norwegian press for who he is - a Canadian? How is Knut Rockne still considered a Norwegian in Norway when he moved to the USA and raised as a child, when Peter Jennings moved to work in the USA as an adult? Sadly it seems, there is a douuble standard in how some in the Norwegian press see Canada's nationality, nationhood, and citizenship. If a Norwegian moves to Sweden to take a job on a Swedish television news channel and only takes out Swedish citizenship in the last two years of his life, and never giving up his Norwegian citizenship, would the Norwegian press write "Swedish news journalist" in their news stories? The answer is no. Norwegians would be proud of him being a Norwegian and would make reference to his Norwegian heritage. Here's a quote from a local Canadian news article regarding Canadian Peter Jennings: "Jennings was proud of his Canadian citizenship, although it was occasionally a sore point with some (US) critics. When Jennings spoke at the dedication of a museum celebrating the U.S. Constitution in 2003, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told him, 'not bad for a Canadian.' " Just days before his death Peter Jennings recieved the highest civilian award a Canadian can receive from his country - The Order of Canada." Taken from the CBC: "A day after his 67th birthday, and eight days before he died, Peter Jennings found out he would be awarded the Order of Canada, the nation's highest honour. The nomination process began long before Mr. Jennings' dramatic on-air announcement on ABC-TV on April 5 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. The decision was made on June 29 at the last meeting of the advisory committee to the Order of Canada, chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada, which makes recommendations to the Governor General (of Canada). Mr. Jennings was already too ill to respond directly. His sister Sarah, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, communicated with Rideau Hall, and told her brother the news on July 30. He officially accepted the honour only days before his death." After giving the Norwegian journalist more facts to base her story on, she changed it to mention he was "Canadian born." Considering the facts the man was Canadian first, born in Canada, was always a Canadian, only an American two years, worked as a journalist in Canada, at least a mention of him being a Canadian is deserved. Canadians can certainly get the feeling when reading the Norwegian press that being Canadian doesn't count for very much in Norway. One can certainly get the feeling in the Norwegian press that if you're not American, you're not as good.

11) Møt årets heteste spillbabe (Lars Wærstad) 26 September 2006

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/spillmagasinet/article750378.ece
In this story about Canadian actress Emmanuelle Vaugier the Norwegian journalist writes: "...og i år er det halvt australske, halvt franske Emmanuelle Vaugier som fronter spillet." Australian and French?? wrong countries, wrong nationalities. This is not correct, she is not from France or from Australia. Emmanuelle Vaugier is a Canadian actress born in Vancouver, Canada. More specifically she is part of Canada's French heritage. The two largest ethnic groups in Canada are French-Canada (about 30% of Canada and close to 8 million Canadians) and English-Canada. Canadians of French origin have been in Canada for 400 years and were the original European founders of Canada from as early as 1534. This story is an excellent example of how Canadians are poorly recognised in the Norwegian press. Often there are stories relating to Canada where Canadians are not properly recognised for being Canadians at all. Even though Emmanuelle Vaugier's own website states the following information she gets no credit for being Canadian in this TV2 story: "Emmanuelle Vaugier is considered one of Canada's most promising young * performers"* "As one of Canada’s busiest actors, Emmanuelle can be seen in the upcoming new season"* "The Vancouver native"* "Vaugier was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and grew up in a French (Canadian)-speaking household." From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Emmanuelle Vaugier Born: June 23, 1976 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Occupation: Actress Emmanuelle Vaugier (born June 23, 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a French Canadian actress." From the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC): "Along with Alberta's (Canada) Evangeline Lily, Vaugier is considered one of this country's (Canada's) most promising young performers." How does it happen that a Canadian actress get's no recognition for being Canadian, and the country she is from doesn't even get mentioned in the story? Is it ignorance or is there a habit in the Norwegian press to not give Canadians, Canada, or Canadian culture its proper credit? If so, why? The journalist has beeen informed of his mistake, and the next day the story was corrected to state: "...fransk-kanadiske Emmanuelle Vaugier." In asking the journalist the source of his information for his original information about her he states: "I believe it was the australien FHM, but i'm not sure. Sorry..." The original FHM Australian story writes the following about this Canadian actress: "...we love the 29-year-old French-speaking Canadian." In addition to mentioning she is Canadian there are a couple of different mentions of Canada in the story including a mention of a popular Canadian drink: "If a desirable fellow were to approach you at a bar, how should he do it? He can buy me a drink. Do you guys have Caesars? It’s a cocktail with clamato juice (disturbingly, this is a Canadian blend of tomato juice and clam broth. True!) and vodka." It seems the FHM artcile is very clear she is Canadian. How does this journalist think she from Australia and France?

12) Oppskrift på vennskap (Anders Røeggen) 5 October 2006

http://www.side2.no/film/anmeldelser/article759576.ece
In the review of this Canadian-UK movie the Norwegian journalist writes: "denne nordamerikanske småbyen." It's a Canadian movie, based in Canada. Why can't he write "small Canadian city"? Why the need to make it sound American in this story? Although there is nothing "technically wrong" with writing "small North-American city" as all cities and towns in Mexico, Canada and the USA are located on the continent of North America, but why not be more specific when the film is about based in Canada? This another example of how some Norwegian journalists often exclude as much possible reference or clarity to Canada and Canadian content and for some strange reason make it sound more "American" or "North-American" as much as possible. If this was a story about a small town in the USA or Mexico, it's likely it would not be refered to as a "small "North-American city" but either as a small "American city" or small "Mexican city." This is a Canadian/UK film, and credit should be given for that. Let's face it, when the majority of Norwegians think about or hear the words "America" they don't think of Mexcio or Canada, they think of the USA. Is being Canadian not as acceptable to Norwegians that the context has to be made as "American" or "North American" as much as possible? Imagine if in Canada, Canadian journalists painted Norwegian stories, culture, language as much as possible with a Swedish perspective - would Norwegians find that acceptable? So why do it with Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture? Every other review of this movie has been more specific and either stated "small Canadian city" or small "Ontario city" in Canada. Is it so difficult to give credit to this film based in Canada for being Canadian? There are three countries in North America with three distinct cultures and three main languages (French and English in Canada) spoken. What part of North america is this story talking about? If this was a Norwegian film being reviewed in Canada, no one would write "small European city" as this is so vague it could be anywhere in Europe. It is time for Norwegian journalists to give Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture the same fair treatment it gives Britain, Australia, and USA.

13) Hvorfor jenter gjør det dårlig i matte (By Trude Wermskog) 23 October 2006

http://www.side2.no/helse/article778715.ece
In this story the original Norwegian journalist from Forskning writes: "Det antyder i hvert fall en ny amerikansk undersøkelse.- Funnene tyder på at folk har en tendens til å godta genetiske forklaringer, som om de er sterkere og mer uunngåelige, sier Steven Heine fra University of British Columbia i ei pressemelding." This is wrong. The study is a Canadian study done at a Canadian university by Canadian researchers. Despite the fact the researchers, are Canadians, the univeristy is a Canadian univesity, located in Canada, the Norwegian journalist writes "amerikansk undersøkelse." Why does a Canadian study like this gets credited as being an American study? The British, American, and Australian media stories all state Canada, Canadians, and Canadian researchers, yet this journalist gives credit the country located beside Canada, the USA. How does something like this happen? Does the journalist think the University of British Columbia is located in the USA? An e-mail was sent to the journalist, and to date a reply or correction to the mistake has not been received.
14) Gjør plass for Montreal (Vidar Dons Lindrupsen)
http://www.side2.no/reise/reisemal/nord-amerika/article962971.ec
In this story the Norwegian journalists uses American references to the Canadian city of Montreal that are perplexing. In the story he writes: "Den beste blandingen av amerikansk og europeisk finner du i Montreal." American?? Wrong country! First, Montreal is not American, nor is it correct to say it is the best mix of American and European. The city is Canada's second largest, it's French speaking, and the second largest French speaking city after Paris in the world. To be give the city proper credit the story should say it is the best blend of "Canadian and European" or "North America and France." First, the city is in Canada, and second, the city is Canadian, the more modern Canadian style in the city is Canadian, not American. Is the style of a Norwegian city like Oslo for example, Swedish? Montreal was founded in 1642, and since has been the financial and economic heart of French Canada, and to call it American, when the city is Canadian is not respectful to Montrealers or Canadians. If the Norwegian journalist means to say it is a blend of North-American and European style then that is fair to say and accurate, as Montreal and Canada are located in North America, but they are Canadian, not American. Should a Canadian reporter comes to Norway and say Oslo is a blend of European and Swedish? Later in the story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Dersom man ser grupper av amerikanske gutter i 18-19 årsalderen, kan man være trygg på at de høyst sannsynlig ikke er på vei til butikkene eller klar for å skrifte." First, Canada is occupied by Canadians and the nationality of the people of Canada is Canadian, not American. If there are a group of boys hanging around a stripe club in Canada, then they would be Canadians, not Americans as this journalist has written. If these are Canadians, why has he called these Canadians Americans? Americans are the name of the people that live in the USA, and not Canadians. If by chance when the journalist saw these boys and they identified themselves as "Americans" then they are American tourists in Canada and not Canadians, and this should be clarrified in his story. If in the story the journalist means the local boys of the city of Montreal then they are Canadians. Canada and Canadians deserve more respect from the Norwegian press for who and what they are. The Canadian press does not treat Norway poorly, so why does the Norwegian press often treat Canada poorly in their media? This website is testament to this Norwegian problem, despite the fact that there are still hundreds of stories have not been listed on here. The above stories above all show an ignorance of Canada, especially because they come from jurnalists that have a responsibility to report accuratley. Had these stories been about the USA, Australia or the UK, the same mistakes would most likely not have happened, or certainly no where near as often as they happen to Canadian stories.

15) Ett usunt måltid skader deg (Jorunn Egeland) 26 April 2007
http://www.side2.no/helse/article987233.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes "skal vi tro amerikanske forskere." This is wrong. First, it is a Canadian study, not an American study, and second the University of Calgary is in Canada, not in the USA. This story is another example of how Norwegian journalists read about a Canadian story and often just assume it is American, or change it to be American or look American. The study is from Calgary as the information shows, and there is no media source that states the study is American. In fact, there are several media sources that states the study is Canadian, including this one from Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070424.wxifat24/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/homeWhy

would a Norwegian journalist take a Canadian story and deliberatley change it to call it an American story? Especially when the news source does not state is an American study, but done at a Canadian university. Even the Forskning story made reference of in the Nettavsien story does not stay it is American. Nettavsien has several stories misrepresenting Canada and Canadians, and seems to be a regular occurance with their journalists. Is it not the norm in journalism to verify facts befire printing them? Is is not wrong to change facts or details in stories to make them appear different than what they are, without verifying the facts?

16) Wrestlingstjerne drepte familien (By TV2) 26 June 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article1152350.ec
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Den amerikanske fribryteren Chris Benoit ble mandag funnet død i sitt hjem i delstaten Georgia i USA." American?? Wrong nationality. This is wrong Chris Benoit is not an American; he is a Canadian born and raised in the French part of Canada. Why change his nationality? He speaks French and English, and even though he may have worked and lived in the USA for his career, that doens't change his nationality. If a Norwegian comes to the USA to live and work, does that make him an American? If a Norwegian goes to live and work in Sweden does that make him a Swede? Why is it so often that Canadians living and working in the USA, just as many Brits, Australians or Norwegians do, are suddenly no longer Canadians in the Norwegian press? Why is the Canadian nationality so often incorrectly reported as American, but this doesn't seem to happen with other foreigners in the Norwegian press? Why does the Norwegian press so confidentaly think these Canadians are Americans? And why are these facts not verified in the Norwegian press before the Norwegian stories go to print? Upon, pointing out the mistake to TV2 they corrected the story and properly identified his nationality as Canadian, but no e-mail was received to explain the error. It is safe to say the journalist took a guess or assumed, despite the Canadian speaks French, has a French-Canadian name, and is Canadian, he was guessed or assumed to be an American.

17) Helt matt i shoppe-mekka (Rapport fra Torstein Bae) 18 October 2007
http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sjakk/article1385333.ece
In this report ("Rapport fra Nettavisens sjakkspaltist Torstein Bae") there is a mistake about the Canadian shopping centre - West Edmonton Mall. He writes: "ALBERTA, CANADA (Nettavisen): West Edmonton Mall er Nord-Amerikas største og verdens tredje største kjøpesenter, og kan tilby det aller meste den kjøpeglade kan begjære" The shopping centre is Canada's, North America's and the world's largest shopping centre. Why he writes it is the 3rd largest, who knows, but that is not correct. The following comes from the West Edmonton Mall website: "West Edmonton Mall is waiting for you! It's the world's largest entertainment and shopping centre and Alberta's number one tourist attraction, featuring over 800 stores and services, over 100 eating establishments, plus nine world class attractions. It's the only mall of its kind - both a shopper's dream and a world of excitement and adventure. This amazing structure - often called the "8th Wonder of the World" - spans the equivalent of 48 city blocks in the prestigious west end of the City of Edmonton (metro population over 995,000), in the Province of Alberta."

18) Drept med el-pistol (By David Brændeland ) 15 November 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article1446226.ece
In this very tragic and terrible Canadian story there are a couple of mistakes. The Norwegian reporter writes: "Det mest bekymringsverdige var at én av politimennene brukte kneet ogbeinet til å holde hodet hans på gulvet, sier Pritchard til CNN." This is wrong. In the American CNN story, the Canadian Paul Pritchard said this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), not CNN. The CNN story the Norwegian reporter quotes this from even states Paul Pritchard said these comments to the CBC. The Norwegian reporter has changed it to make it look like Paul Pritchard made these comments to CNN, not the CBC. It clearly states in the American CNN story - "Probably the most disturbing part is one of the officers uses his leg and his knee to pin his neck and his head to the ground," Pritchard told CBC News." Why is this Canadian fact change by the Norwegian reporter; from a Canadian news agency to an American news agency, even when CNN does not do this? Secondly: "De må gjøre noe, fordi dette dreper mennesker, sier Cisowski til CBS." She did not say this to CBS in the USA, she said this to the CBC in Canada. The CNN story clearly says she states this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation In both these quotes the Norwegian journalist changes the Canadian news agency to American news agencies. Why change the Canadian news agencies when the USA's CNN story does not say this? From CNN: "The dead man's mother, Zofia Cisowski, told CBC News that Tasers should not be used by police." "They should do something because that is a killer, a people killer."" Does this Norwegian journalist think the Canadian CBC is actually the American CBS and CNN? Even when the Americans use the correct Canadian references, the Norwegian journalist has changed them to American references. After sending two e-mails to the journalist the corrections were made, but the link in the story taking readers back to the CBC in Canada, actually directs them back to the story from CBS in the USA. It is amazing how Canadian facts are changed from a Canadian story to made to look American, and even after pointing out these errors, no reply from the journalist or TV2, and there is still an incorrect link in the story. Why so little respect given top the Canadian references in this story?

19) Nesestyver til Moore (Asle Bentzen) 29 November 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/side2/film/anmeldelser/article1466446.ece
In this story about the Canadian film "Maufacturing Dissent" the Norwegian writers states it is from the USA. It is not an American film, it is a Canadian film. In the story the journalist writes the about the two Canadians making the film, andmentions Canada, but itedentifies the film as from the USA. He states: "På sporet av Michael Moore (Manufacturing Dissent) - dokumentar. USA 2007. Regi: Debbie Melnyk og Rick Caine. Med: Michael Moore, Melnyk, Caine, m.fl." How can it be from the USA when it comes from Toronto, Canada and is done by two Canadians Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine and is rcognised world-wide as a Canadian film? Is there a mindset in Noway that assumes everything from this side of the Atlantic Ocean is from the USA? The story was corrected after the mistake was pointed out to TV2. Why are there so many consistent errors about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture in the Norwegian press? Do Norwegian journalists not have a responsibility to their readers to verify facts before they publish a story? Why is so much of what is Canadian guessed or assumed to be American; or made to look American? The story was later corrected.

20) Utfor – endelig ukalkulert spenning (Håkon A. Bjercke) 29 November 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/vinter/article1460265.ece
"I den snørike vestlige delen av verdens største land, Canada, kan været endre seg på minuttet. Det kan gå fra sol til snøstorm på kort tid og omvendt."
21) Hadde sex med død hest (By Farid Ighoubah) 6 January 2008

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/innenriks/ibergen/article1521711.ece
This story is an example of how many Norwegian journalists can be sloppy in their reporting about Canada, and often don't understand that geographically North America is three countries - Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.A. In this story, the Norwegian journalist writes: "En canadisk mann er dømt til fengsel for å ha sex med en død hest." He further writes: "I Canada ble Bryan James Hataway fredag dømt til ni måneders fengsel for å ha hatt seksuell kontakt med en død hjort, melder Canadian Press." This is all wrong. This man is not a Canadian, not from Canada, this did not take place in Canada, and this is not what the Canadian Press reported. The Norwegian journalist has used the Canadian Press as a source, in which the Canadian Press was reporting about an American in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Canadian Press Story states: "SUPERIOR, Wis. - A Wisconsin man convicted of having sexual contact with a dead deer has been sentenced to nine more months in jail." (http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hiZ4j2OOEug3O3W7pEfVHLsp4TyQ). The U.S. state of Wisconsin is located in the U.S.A., not in the country of Canada. This man is an American, not a Canadian. This Norwegian story would be like a Canadian journalist using a Swedish Press story about a Swedish man having sex with a dead horse and writing it was a Norwegian, and took place in Norway. That would be extremely poor, unprofessional, and lazy journalism. It hard to believe that a story cleary marked as taking place in the USA, is reported to have taken place in Canada, by a Canadian, just because a Canadian source was used to report in the Norwegian press. The Canadian Press was created in 1917 to report about Canadian and international news, not just stories in Canada. The Canadian Press site states: "The Canadian Press continues to be an organization driven by a quest for first-rate journalism. We will keep Canadians informed and help them understand and experience their world more fully for many years to come." After sending Nettavisen an e-mail pointing out their errors, they changed fixed part of the story to correctly make reference to that fact it took place in the USA, but still made reference to him being a Canadian man under the photo caption. A second e-mail has to be sent to correct this mistake as well.

22) DRILLOS HELGENØTT: Svar på geografinøtten (Liv Ekeberg)http://pub.tv2.no/dyn-nettavisen/reiseliv/?archiveSection=21&archiveItem=164966

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Victoria er hovedstad på Seychellene, den er provinshovedstad i British Colombia i Canada." The province of British Columbia is spelt "British Columbia" not "British Colombia". Colombia is a country in South America. As well, the story states: "Kanadiske Vicotia ligger på Vancouver Island, i havet utenfor Canadas hovedstad Vancouver." The city of Vancouver is not Canada's capital; the City of Ottawa is Canada's Capital proclaimed by Canada's Queen Victoria in 1857, and is 4611 kilometres east of Vancouver in the province of Ontario.

23) I Canada tar de røykeloven et sted lenger (By Lene Gunvaldsen) 6 March 2008

http://www.side2.no/helse/article1659217.eceIn this story about the Province of Ontario in Canada the Norwegian journalist writes: "statsminister Dalton McGuinty." Prime Minister?? That is wrong, there is only one statsminister in Canada, and he is the Prime Minister of Canada, he represents all Canadians and the Government of Canada. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories, and Ontario is a province in Canada. The leaders of Canadian provinces and territories in Canada are called "Premiers", and they are below the statsminister/Prime Minister of Canada. The correct Norwegian term for a Canadian Premier is "Premierminister."

24) Rømte fra slakterbilen (By Morten Michelsen Berg) 22 March 2003

http://www.tv2.no/nyhetene/snop/article1700455.ece

This story is another excellent example of how many times Norwegian journalists do not list the country of Canada in stories about Canada. This story is not wrong, but often in Norwegian reporting a Canadian city or Canadian province may be mentioned but not the country. If is safe to say the majority of Norwegians do not know where these cities or provinces are in Canada. Would it not better service to the Norwegian to report the event or story comes from Canada? In this story the Norwegian journalist states: "utenfor Toronto" and "i Mississagua, Otario". There is nothing in this story that even helps to inform the Norwegian reader what country this story takes place. If a Norwegian reader is curious enough perhaps they would look up the location of Toronto or Mississauga in an atlas. In addition to the country not listed the name of the Canadian city of Mississauga and the Canadian province of Ontario have also been both spelt wrong by the TV2.

25) Fem omkom i flystyrt (By Thomas Olsen) 29 March 2008

http://www.nettavisen.no/verden/article1716915.ece
In this story, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Flyet var eid av firmaet A.D. Williams Engineering, og skulle frakte ansatte fra delstatshovedstaden Edmonton til et møte i Winnipeg, opplyser firmaets talskvinne Sue O'Connor." Delstatshovedstaden?? Albert is a province in Canada, not a state, so how can Edmonton be a state capital? Mexico and USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not. In fact, Canada has been using the French system of provinces for 345 years since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, and the word in Norwegian is: provinshovedstaden. What is amazing about this story is that the Norwegian journalist has based his story off a story picked up from a South African news source - news24.com, in which the news24.com story writes: "Four men and one woman were confirmed dead in the crash of the PA-46 Piper Malibu, which went down in the morning near Wainwright, 225km southeast of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province." Despite the fact the South African story clearly states Alberta is a province, the Norwegian journalist incorrectly refers to the provincial capital of Alberta as the state capital. The point here, is the Norwegian media often do not verify facts before they print stories about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture. And even when their original news sources uses the correct term, they disregard they still don't get it right, as in the case of this story. Many in the Norwegian media often doesn't care to get the facts correct about Canada, often practises sloppy journalism when reporting about Canada, assumes what they know is correct about Canada, or just takes a guess. In any case, the number of mistakes relating to Canada in the Norwegian press exemplifies that many in the Norwegian press, whether from a local small town newspaper, to the larger national news media organisations, do not know much about Canada when reporting, and guess far too often, or even more bizarrely must think Canada is part of the USA, and not an independent country north of the USA.

26) Drep meg, vær så snill (By Stefan Offergaard) 6 August 2008

http://www.nettavisen.no/verden/article2115414.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Li er siktet for forsettlig drap og måtte møte i retten i staten Manitoba i Canada." State?? This is wrong. Manitoba is a province in Canada, not a state. There are no states in Canada; and Canada has been using the French system provinces since Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. The link in the story from the U.K. paper states: "Vince Weiguang Li made the plea as heappeared before a court in the central Canadian province of Manitoba."The Norwegian word for province is "provins". After e-mailing the Norwegian journalist a correction was made.
27) Fly traff hus - fire omkom (Mathias Rongved) 7 August 2007
http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article1273904.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian province of British Columbia in western Canada. British Columbia is a province (provins) in Canada, not a state as the journalist has written. Canada does not have and has never used states. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America that use states, Canada uses the French system of provinces and has been since 1663.
28) Kåt sjåfør fikk ambulanse beslaglagt (Runa Hestmann Tierno) 6 December 2004
http://arkiv.nettavisen.no/Nyhet/66703/Kåt+sjåfør+fikk+ambulanse+beslaglagt.html
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Kanadisk politi har nå beslaglagt ambulansen til mannen, med henvisning til den strenge anti-prostitusjonslovgivningen i delstaten. Episoden utspant seg i Alberta i Canada." This is not correct. Canada does not have states; it is divided by 10 provinces and three territories. Canada has been using provinces for 345 years since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. The Norwegian word for province is provins. An e-mail was sent to TV2, but a repsonse was not received and the mistake has never been corrected. The (Vær Varsom-plakaten) Code of Ethics of the Norwegian Press states: "4.13. Feilaktige opplysninger skal rettes og eventuelt beklages snarest mulig.4.13. Incorrect information must be corrected and, when called for, an apology given, as soon as possible."
29) Oscar-vinner slo seg vrang (Gisle Stokland) 9 April 2009
http://www.side2.no/musikk/article2601006.ece
There is nothing techinically wrong with this story at all. The journalist writes "Q TV-programleder Jian Ghomeshi på CBC kommer ikke til å glemme sitt påskeintervju med Billy Bob Thornton." What is Q-TV? What is CBC? Do most Norwegian readers know Q-TV and CBC? It seems they leave a lot for the Norwegians to guess and try to figure out on their own?
30) Pandemikomiteen fraråder bruk av munnbind (By Olav Haugan) 29 April 2009
http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/article2705730.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "I Canada er det bekreftet seks tilfeller i to stater. Det er også bekreftet et tilfelle i Costa Rica." Canada does not have states, it is divided internally by provinces, and has been for 346 years when Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada has does not. The story was corrected the next day.
31) «Star Trek» trekker galaktisk‏ (Gøril Huse) 10 May 2009
http://www.side2.no/film/article2622350.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalists makes two mistakes. She writes: "På filmens åpningshelg spilte «Star Trek» inn sanseløse 461 millioner norske kroner i USA. Dermed har «Star Trek» vekket til live science-fiction-fansen for alvor." This is not correct. It should say: "På filmens åpningshelg spilte «Star Trek» inn sanseløse 461 millioner norske kroner i Nord-Amerika. Dermed har «Star Trek» vekket til live science-fiction-fansen for alvor." The total she writes is the total for North America (Canada and the Unites States, except Mexico), not just the USA. Reuters, clearly states the total is for the North American market. Reuters writes: "The new "Star Trek" movie beamed up an estimated $72.5 million in North American ticket sales its first weekend in theaters." Canada is not located in the USA, so how can the totals be for just the USA? What this journalist has written is like a Canadian journalist writing about ticket sales for a movie premiering in Sweden and Norway, or all of Scandinavia, and writing the sales are just for the country of Sweden. She also writes: "I tillegg kommer førpremierevisningene i torsdag og mottakelsen i Canada som gir ytterligere 25 millioner kroner i kassa, opplyser distributøren Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures studio i følge nyhetsbyrået Reuters." This is not correct either. The 25 millioner kroner she states is Thursday night sales in Canada and in the USA, not just Canada, and listed in U.S. currency. Reuters writes: "Combined with $4 million grossed from Thursday evening's preview screenings, "Star Trek" tallied $76.5 million in U.S. and Canadian receipts through Sunday, according to its distributor, Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures studio."

32) Kommer snart til en skog nær deg (Ronald Toppe) 14 November 2009

http://www.storm.no/nyheter/3007310

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "– De er et varselsignal, sier Lucas Brotz ved Columbia University til AP. Økningen forteller oss at havet er i ubalanse." This is a mistake. Lucas Brotz is a with the Canadian University of British Columbia, in the Canadian westcoast province of British Columbia in the country of Canada. The Norwegian writes it is the Columbia University, which is an American univesity located in the United States, not in even in the country of Canada, and Lucas Brotz is with the Canadian University of British Columbia, not the American Columbia University.

33) Felles mål (Janne F. Lønne) 7 December, 2009

http://www.tv2.no/kanalene/zebra/felles-maal-3046984.html

Int his breif story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Ved første øyekast kan sjansene for å vinne og overleve i det røffe terrenget i British Colombia, være små for utfordrerne. Men det er ikke alltid lurt å dømme noen etter utseende." This is another excellent example Norwegian media coverage. First, where is "British Colombia?" And second, "British Colombia" is spelt British Columbia." The point here is most Norwegian eaders of this story won't know where British Columbia is located, and most won't know it's a province in Canada. Would the Norwegian reader not be better informed if the story said: "Ved første øyekast kan sjansene for å vinne og overleve i det røffe terrenget i British Columbia i Kanada, være små for utfordrerne. Men det er ikke alltid lurt å dømme noen etter utseende." Adding in the country for frame of reference, and also spelling the name correctly. It's no wonder so many Norwegians are not well infomed about Canada, when there are so many errors, or omissions in the Norwegian media. For example, would Canadians reading a Canadian jounalist's media story stating: "Ved første øyekast kan sjansene for å vinne og overleve i det røffe terrenget i Finnmork, være små for utfordrerne. Men det er ikke alltid lurt å dømme noen etter utseende."

34) Mann maltrak av sin egen tiger (Birthe Steen Hansen) 11 January, 2010

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "CBS News" as the source for her story. CBS News?? How can it be CBS News when there is no CBS News in Canada, and the story is from Canada? This is a mistake, as there is no CBS News in Canada; CBS News is from the USA, not from Canada. This is a good example of how sometimes a Norwegian jounalist will use a clearly indicated Canadian media source like CBC News (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - which is Canada's version of NRK, Britain's version of BBC), and somehow either guess or assume that since it's on the North America side of the Atlantic, that is must be American, and must be CBS from the USA. It's amazing how reading a Canadian source, from a clearly marked "CBC" news website get's changed to a USA news source, when the story doesn't even come from the USA. After two e-mail to TV2, the story was finally corrected, but nor reply or explaination was received from TV2. This is like a Canadian journalist using the Norwegian news source NRK to report about a Norwegian story from Norway, and renaming the Norwegian NRK after a Swedish or German news source.

Klassekampen - 2 Stories

2009-06-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

1) Bushs mann til Oslo (By Maren Sæbø) 28 June 2005
http://www.klassekampen.no/kk/index.php/news/home
In this story "Bushs mann til Oslo" the journalist talks about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States and Mexico. What about Canada? For some reason there is no mention of Canada as a member of NAFTA. Three countries belong to the NAFTA, and prior to NAFTA existing, Canada and the United States had a trade agreement in place called the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since 1989. It was Canada (not the United States) that sought this free trade agreement with the United States, to which the United States agreed to participate and eventually joined in 1989. By 1993, Canada (not the United States) approached the United States and Mexico, with interest in expanding the FTA to include Mexico. At that time, Mexico decided to join, hence the new and expanded free-trade agreement NAFTA. In this example the Norwegian press once again leaves out any reference to Canada when it should be clearly noted. If a journalist is to write on a topic of which Canada is an important part we should be included, considering the history of NAFTA Canada should be included. It is obvious that the Norwegian media is often very ignorant of Canada.
2) Lav trussel (By Bjørgulv Braanen) 10 June 2006

http://www.klassekampen.no/kk/index.php/news/home/artical_categories/kommentarer/2006/june/lav_trussel

In this article the journalist refers to Canadian writer as "British." After an e-mail to the journalist a reply was never received and the mistake in the story has not been corrected.

Dagsavisen - 4 Stories

2009-06-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

1) Pellerud har skapt fotballfeber i ishockeylandet 20 November 2003
http://www.dagsavisen.no/sport/article947054.ece

In this article about Pellerud coaching football in Canada, it states: "Ishockey, basketball og amerikansk fotball dominerer i Canada." That is not correct. How can American football dominate in Canada when we don't play "American football" in Canada? It is correct that the number one sport in Canada is hockey, probably due to the fact the sport was invented in Canada, and the NHL was founded in Canada by Canadians, and of course the great winters in Canada help to play the game. And, even though the sport of basketball was invented by a Canadian by the name of Dr. James Naismith from Almonte, Ontario, Canada, and "American football" actually has much of its origins from the game of Canadian football, these sports - basketball and "American football" do not dominate in Canada and it is not correct to say this of Canada. Here' s a little history:
Basketball - Canadian Dr. James Naismith (1861-1939).

Dr. James Naismith is the Canadian physical education instructor who invented basketball in 1891. James Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada and educated at McGill University and Presbyterian College in Montreal, (Canada). He was the physical education teacher at McGill University (1887 to 1890) (in Montreal, Canada).

There are three type of football in North America: Canadian Football (played just in Canada), European football (played in Mexico and to a lesser extent in Canada), and American Football (played in just the USA). In Canada we play European football as played in Europe, and in Canada's national Canadian Football League (CFL/LCF) we play "Canadian football." Canadian football is played just in Canada and is a Canadian invented sport. This Canadian invented sport is the basis of even some of "American football" and was introduced to the United States by a Canadian team from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. The three North America versions of football are not the same. There are different rules, different size balls, different size playing fields, different trophies, different organisation, different championship games, and more. Norwegians are not familiar with Canadian football. It was a Canadian team that helped to introduce football to the USA, and it was Canadian football that helped form the basis of what is today called "American football" in the USA. The USA has Canada to thank for one of its most popular sports. Canadian football dominates in Canada, a separate and exciting game unique to Canada.
"American Football's Origins Taken from Canadian Football (taken from Wikipedia):

The Canadian contribution (to American football), took place in the late 1860s. The first known instances of rugby football in North America were in the 1860s in Canada. In 1864, at Trinity College, Toronto, (Canada) F. Barlow Cumberland and Frederick A. Bethune devised rules based on the Rugby School game. However, the first game of "rugby" in Canada is generally said to have taken place in Montreal, (Canada) in 1865, when British Army officers played local civilians. The game gradually gained a following, and the Montreal Football Club was formed in 1868, the first recorded football club in Canada. Codes based on the Rugby School rules began to be played at other Canadian universities in the late 1860s and these games were the basis of Canadian football.[4]; [5] & [6] They would also prove to have a major influence on American football.
Canadian Football and the Canadian Football League (taken from Wikipedia):
The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional league located entirely in Canada that plays Canadian football. It is considered to be the highest level of play in Canadian football. The league's top trophy, the Grey Cup, (Ever heard of Earl Grey Tea? - Same Person!) was donated by Governor General (of Canada) Earl Grey in 1909 to the team winning the Senior Amateur Football Championship of Canada. Both the trophy and the championship game have become known as the Grey Cup....A recent survey conducted at the University of Lethbridge (in Alberta, Canada) confirmed that the CFL is the second most popular league in Canada, with the following of 19% of the total adult Canadian population compared to 30% for the NHL (National Hockey League)."
Bob Orrick writes about Canadian football versus American football:

"After a period of gestation in Merry Olde England, the British took their new sport abroad to the New World. The British garrison in Montreal (Canada)played a series of games against Montreal's McGill University. The McGill (University) gang so liked the sport that they arranged a game versus Harvard University in the United States. The game had truly become international in scope. The year was 1874. Both the Canadian version of football - the pointy ball type - and the American version with the same ball [the Yanks (Americans) fancy a slightly smaller ball, not as fat as the hardy Canadian ball] came about because of that McGill (Canada) (versus) Harvard (USA) game. A check into the history of both Canadian and American football reveals that the story does not end there. The American version differs from the Canadian version in that the dates and places of the game of football [pointy type ball] differ...According to the (USA's) National Football League [NFL] website, the NFL came about on 06 November 1869 when Rutgers played Princeton. This is where the American and Canadian versions of the origin of the sport of football [pointy ball] differ. The Yanks claim the aforementioned date as the start of the NFL, while the Canadians claim that the British, sometime subsequent to 1823, introduced the sport of rugby to Canada and eventually (Canadians introduced it) to the U.S.A. with the McGill (Canada) - (versus) Harvard (USA) 1874 game....In Canada, the right to claim the title of champion (of Canadian football) goes to the winner of the annual Grey Cup game. The (Canadian) Grey Cup (Football trophy) [1909] is the oldest sport trophy in North America being decades longer in the tooth thanthe NFL's (USA's) Super Bowl...The Grey Cup, on the other hand, pits the eastern (Canadian) and western (Canadian) conferences of the CFL head to head in a no-holds-barred, knock-'em-down, drag-out contest that usually exceeds all expectations for excitement. The CFL with it's more alluring scoring rules, three down, backfield-in-motion-toward-the-line-of-scrimmage-before-the-snap-of-the-ball, wider field and longer end zones provides pure adrenaline pumping excitement whereas in the (American football) NFL the rules tend to stymie innovative plays. The Canadian Football League with its one-yard zone between the offensive and defensive lines seems silly to proponents of the (USA's) NFL who are used to seeing opposing linemen nose to nose. The Canadian twelve-man team is one more than the American's eleven-man team. Canadians do not have a 'fair catch' rule on kick-off and punt-returns as do the Americans; the receiver is fair game and an easy target for onrushing opposing players intent on sending the receiver into tomorrow. To offset the 'danger zone,' the CFL has a five-yard restraining zone that, theoretically, allows the receiver to catch the ball before being smacked hard by an opposing player. The five-yard restraining zone is more fiction than fact. With Canadian rules, a football game is played quicker than the American game; for instance, (in American football) the American quarterback has forty seconds to put the ball in play whereas (in Canadian football) his Canadian counterpart has half that time. In the Canadian Football League if a game is tied at end of regulation time, the teams play two five-minute overtime games, each with a kick-off. Teams have an equal opportunity to score and win the game. South of the (Canadian) border (in the USA), the NFL does not have that; there teams play overtime but the first team to score wins. There have been games in which one team - the receiving team on the kick-off - wins the game before the opposition has touched the ball. This strikes me as a bit unfair and sets up another difference between the two leagues is that CFL team rosters are much smaller than the NFL rosters. The Canadians play a faster game on a larger field with fewer players and more ways to score points while the Americans' game is slower, has more players, and generally bigger players and far more hype."
The reality is in Canada, the number one sport is the Canadian invented sport of hockey. The second most popular sport is the Canadian invented sport of Canadian Football. Basketball does not dominate sports in Canada. Even though basketball was invented by a Canadian, it is not popular in Canada. It is played recreationally just like in dozens of countries around the world, but is not a major sport. Canada's largest city of Toronto has a professional basketball team that plays in a USA league, but there is only one team in all of Canada. In Canada sport is really all about the Canadian invented games of hockey and Canadian football that are dominant. The comments in this article "Ishockey, basketball og amerikansk fotball dominerer i Canada" were said by someone that doesn't know really know Canadian sports and someone that doesn't know that we actually play Canadian football in Canada, and NOT American football. American football is played in just one country in the world - the USA. How can American football dominate in Canada when there are no American football teams in Canada? And, in addition much of American football's roots actually come from the Canadian game of Canadian football. The Americans have borrowed some Canadian football rules for themselves for American football, learnt basketball from the Canadian who invented it and introduced it into the USA, and we in Canada have also exported hockey to the USA. The reality is that Canada and Canadians, not the USA are the inventors and contributors of these sports. In addition, it is fair to say more people in Canada are into Canadian hockey, curling, and Canadian football that what Pellerud has stated.
2) Seier over «den store» (Author unknown) 28 July 1999

http://www.dagsavisen.no/innenriks/article1046401.ece

In this story the journalist writes "Winnipeg i USA." The city of Winnipeg is actually located in the Province of Manitoba in Canada, not in the USA.
3) Angrepet med gullfiskbolle (Author Unknown) 7 October 2000

http://www.dagsavisen.no/innenriks/article996168.ece
In this story the journalist writes "Winnipeg i USA." The city of Winnipeg is actually located in the Province of Manitoba in Canada, NOT in the USA. The original Reuters story does not state it is in the USA, this has been added into the story by Dagavisen.
4) Se kongens krimskrams (Author unknown) 29 August 2007

http://www.dagsavisen.no/kultur/article297294.ece

In this story, under the heading "Barndom i USA" it states "Ved siden av bildet står modellen av et jagerfly, og på esken står det «Til prins Harald fra gutta i Toronto»." This was a gift from from Norwegian servicemen living, working, and training at Little Norway in Toronto, Canada. In the autumn of 1940, a Norwegian training centre known as "Little Norway" was established by Royal Canadian Air Force base Borden outside of Toronto, in Canada.

Oilinfo.no - 3 Stories

2009-06-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

1) Oljesand for 12 milliarder (Alf Inge Molde) 27 April 2007
http://www.oilinfo.no/?tpl=nyheten&id=134223

In this story regarding the Canadian oil company "North American Oil Sands Corporation" the Norwegian journalist incorrectly writes the name of the company as "North American Sands Corporation." Amazing that a $2.3 billion Canadian currency deal that the name of the company purchased is not correct.
2) En hvit, kald løgn (Silje Svennevig) 10 August 2007

http://www.oilinfo.no/?tpl=nyheten&id=147704

In this story, the journalist writes about Canadian film director James Cameron as: "...den amerikanske." This is not correct. James Cameron nationality is Canadian. He is from Chippawa, Ontario, Canada. He lives and works in the USA, but this doesn't make him an American.
3) StatoilHydro gjør New Foundland-funn (Henrik Salthe) 8 April 2009
http://www.oilinfo.no/index.cfm?event=doLink&famId=80875

Amobil.no - 6 Stories

2009-06-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

1) Mobile filmskapere (By Silje Gomnæs) 16 September 2005

http://www.amobil.no/nyhet/multimedia/mobile_filmskapere/19152
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "To fremmede kvinners kjærlighetserklæringer er blant to av mobilfilmene som vises på filmfestivalen i Toronto i USA." The Canadian city of Toronto (4.5 million population) is located in Canada, not in the USA. Toronto, is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. Within hours of e-mailing this journalist an very polite apology was made and a prompt correction to the story.

2) Symbian ruler markedet (By Silje Gomnæs) 16 February 2007

http://www.amobil.no/artikkel/markedsutvikling/symbian_ruler_markedet/36561In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian company Research in Motion (RIM) the inventor and manufacturer of Blackberry. The journalist states: "På tredjeplass følger amerikanske RIM, som lager Blackberry-enhetene, med 7 prosent." Research in Motion is a Canadian company headquartered in Waterloo, in the province of Ontario, in Canada" as it states on RIM's website, not American. Unfortunately, and sadly this Canadian success story has been more often identified as being American, than Canadian by many in the Norwegian media. This would be like Canadian journalists writing the Norway's King Harald V is Swedish and comes from Sweden; or writing Statoil is a German company and comes from Germany. It seems many Norwegian journalist think this Canadian company and product is an American invention, and an American company; that is not correct. It comes from Canada, and exported to the USA market, just as Canada has now exported it to Norway. After e-mailing the Norwegian journalist the story was corrected.
3) Nokia utfordrer Blackberry (Silje Gomnæs) 12 October 2005

http://www.amobil.no/artikkel/mobiltelefoner/nokia_utfordrer_blackberry/19944In this story the Norwegian journalist incorrectly identifies the Canadian invented Blackberry as American. He writes: "Blant de nye modellene i E-serien finner vi E61, en ny smarttelefon som med sitt utvalg av funksjoner og trådløs teknologi burde anses som en aldri så liten trussel mot de amerikanske Blackberry-enhetene." Blackberry was invented by Canadians, is Canadian technology, is a Canadian company and is headquartered in the Canadian city of Waterloo, in the Canadian province of Ontario, in Canada. Why does Blackberry so often get incorrectly identified as being American in the Norwegian press? Guessing? Assumptions? Why do so many Norwegian journalists not check their facts before the print, or do they think everything on this side of the Atlantic Ocean is from the USA? Mexicans and Canadians share the continent of North America with the USA, and they also invented and manufacture successful products, not just the Americans. After e-mail this journalist several times the story has never been corrected.
4) Blackberry kommer til Norge (By KLAUS BØRRINGBO) 16 October 2006

http://forbruker.no/digital/nyheter/mobil/article1497157.eceThis story is an excellent example of how Canada is overlooked in the Norwegian press. In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Blackberry har lenge ledet an i en rekke av de store internasjonale markedene. Ved å levere sikker e-post-teknologi til mobil har Balckberry sikret seg 5,5 millioner brukere i USA, Sør-Amerika, Asia og Europa." What about Canada? Considering the story is about how Canadian Blackberry is coming to Norway, there is no mention of Blackberry being Canadian. Considering the product is from Canada, invented in Canada, Canadian technology, an was available first in Canada; Blackberry's homeland is not even mentioned. Of the 5.5 million users mentioned by the journalist, Canada is included in that total. Canada is left out, despite the product being from Canada. It is no wonder most Norwegian know very little about Canada, even when there is the odd Canadian success story in Norway, it's often not mentioned as Canadian. For sure if Blackberry was Australian, British, or American, its origin would be mentioned.
5) Er du epost-junkie?
http://www.amobil.no/artikler/er_du_epost-junkie/40381
6) Flykter fra Blackberry etter epost-kaos
http://www.amobil.no/artikler/flykter_fra_blackberry_etter_epost-kaos_/38668

Vi over 60 - 2 Stories

2009-06-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Canada - på engelsk og fransk (Posted by viover60 taken from Nordmann-Reiser AS)
28 January 2008
http://www.viover60.no/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=823

In this travel story about Canada posted by (Vi over 60 taken from Nordmann-Reiser) the story states: "...franske byene Montreal og Quebec City" These two Canadian cities are both French speaking, but they are Canadian cities. The story should say "kanadiske byene Montreal og Quebec City" and "Vi besøker også nasjonalparken Algonquin." "Algonquin Provincial Park is a provincial park in Canada, not a national park as is written. Meaning it is controlled, maintained by the Ontario provincial government Ministry located in Toronto, and not by Canada's national government in Ottawa. The Ontario Parks system (administered by the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources) covers over 78,000 square kilometres in the province of Ontario, about 10 percent of the Ontario Parks system is often used as the model for other parks systems in North America. This can be attributed to its delicate balance of recreation, preservation, and conservation. Many parks in Ontario also offer a Natural Heritage Education program. Ontario Parks' mandate is to ensure that significant natural, cultural, and recreational environments are protected and that these areas allow and encourage recreational activities for visitors." "Etter to fine dager her reiser vi sørover til Montreal og hygger oss i denne franske metropolen som er verdens nest største fransktalende by." This should be written: "... Montreal og hygger oss i denne kanadiske metropolen som er verdens nest største fransktalende by." After five e-mails to Vi over 60, a single reply has not been received.
2) Trender - Nytt galleri for fashionistaer (Kjersti Staarvik) 16 April 2008
http://www.henne.no/php/art.php?id=520702

Although there is nothing "technically" wrong with this story, it is another example of how Canada, mention of Canada, or being Canadian is often left out in Norwegian stories. All that is mention is that this new gallery is open at the Royal Ontario Museum, and being in Toronto. Most Norwegian readers will not know of the Royal Ontario Museum or where Toronto is located. To better serve the Norwegian readers, mentioning Canada, or in Canada would be beneficial. This would be like a Canadian journalist writing about a new museum opening in Oslo or Bergen, with no reference to the country, as most Canadians would not know to what country the Canadian story is making reference. Could it be that many Norwegian journalists don't add Canada into their stories because they assume since they know their story takes place in Canada, Norwegian readers should know as well? After sending two e-mails to have the story updated to include a reference to Canada, a reply was never received.

ITavisen - 1 Story

2009-06-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

1) Blackberry til Norge (Ida Oftebro) 16 October 2006

http://www.itavisen.no/php/art.php?id=343511

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Amerikas avhengighetsskapende e-postmobil kommer til Norge" This is wrong; it should read: "Canadas avhengighetsskapende e-postmobil kommer til Norge" or "Nord-Amerikas avhengighetsskapende e-postmobil kommer til Norge." Blackberry comes from Canada, not from the USA. It's Canadian not American. Further on the story states: "Blackberry har vært en kjempesuksess i USA, og har for lenge siden blitt synonymt med den håndholdte e-postleseren. Siden lanseringen i 1997 er det solgt 5,5 millioner Blackberry-terminaler verden over. Nå kommer de til Europa." This should say: "Blackberry har vært en kjempesuksess i Canada, og har for lenge siden blitt synonymt med den håndholdte e-postleseren. Siden lanseringen i 1997 er det solgt 5,5 millioner Blackberry-terminaler verden over. Nå kommer de til Europa." Considering the Canadian company is now coming to Norway, it's easy to see how a Norwegian reader can get the impression that the Canadian phone and company RIM is American, and not Canadian. Sadly, not a single word of reference or credit to this Canadian success story being Canadian or from Canada is in this story, and so many other Norwegian stories related to this Canadian success story. There is not one indication in this story that this extremely successful Canadian product and technology, sought after by so many people worldwide is Canadian. The story doesn't need to be all about Canada, but, it is easy to see from the content of this story, as most Norwegian readers will do, that the product is American and from the USA. The point here is, if it's a Canadian success story, it should be reported as a Canadian success story. Should the Canadian press give the Swedes or Germans credit for Statoil, or NorskHydro when they are Norwegian companies? Is the nation of Canada, at 33 million people, larger than most countries in Europe, and the second largest country in the world in size after Russia, seen so irrelevant in the Norwegian media mindset? Even, when we produce one of the most successful products selling worldwide?

Vi Menn - 1 Story

2009-06-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

1) Med kano og fiskestang i Canadas villmark (By Peter Christensen) June 2008
http://www.vimenn.no/reportasje/article274601.ece

In this story the Norwegian writer states: "Canadas to nordlige provinser, Nunavut og Northern Territories –arealet er omkring åtte ganger større enn Norge" and " i hjertet av Northern Territories i Canada." Also, "Canadas Northern Territories er blant verdens største villmarker." This is a mistake. The Canadian territory of Nunavut and the "Northwest Territories" are territories in Canada, not provinces as Peter has written. They do not have provincial status in Canada. Canada is divided politically by 10 provinces and three territories. Territories are below provinces in political status and power. The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, not in Canada. The Norwegian word for territory is: territorium. Also, the Northwest Territories correct name is Northwest Territories (N.W.T.). After contacting the writer, the story was promptly corrected.

Offshore.no - 1 Story

2009-06-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

1) Statoil kjøper i Canada (by Åse Thirud) 27 April 2007
http://www.offshore.no/nyheter/sak.asp?Id=17342

In this story about Statoil buying the Canadian oil company North American Oilsands Corporation she writes: "...nordøst for byen Edmonton i delstaten Alberta." State?? wrong country. Alberta is a province in Canada, not a state. This journalist either used a source on this story that states Alberta is a states or just assumed Canada uses states and didn't bother to check the facts before the story was printed. Canada does not have states and has never had states. The system of provinces has been used in Canada for over 345 years, since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Canada now has 10 provinces and three territories. It seems this story is another excellent example of how Canada's provinces are often referred to as "states" because many Norwegian journalists are ignorant of Canada's internal political divisions. Yet, Norwegian stories relating to provinces in China, Afghanistan, Sri-Lanka, etc., never seem to been referred to as states.

Store Norske Leksikon

2009-06-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

Some mistakes in Store Norske Leksikon
1) Canada

http://www.snl.no/Canada

Canada's national day 1st of July is called La fête du Canada / Canada Day, and has not been called "Dominion Day" for over 27 years, since 1982. It states: "Nasjonaldag: 1. juli (dominiondagen)"

2) IMAX

http://www.snl.no/Imax

"Konseptet eies av det amerikanske selskapet Imax Corporation. Systemet ble presentert for første gang under EXPO 67 i Montreal. Per 2005 finnes det ca. 250 slike kinoer fordelt på 35 land. En imaxkino ble etablert i Norge (Oslo) 1998." IMAX is a Canadian corporation.

DinSide (DinSide.no) - 18 Stories

2009-06-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Dinside has a few stories on Canada, their North America coverage is very much centred around the USA, and Mexico. It seems of the three countries in North America, Canada is written about the least, and often there are mistake about even the most basic coverage like the proper spelling of Canadian provinces, proper use of Canadian terms, etc. Many of their Canadian stories do not really reflect the same amount of content, and accuracy as their stories about other countries, and it's easy to see some details are either guessed or just assumed. Often e-mails sent to have stories corrected are not even replied to, nor the mistakes changed.

1) Verdens største kjøpesentre (By Karoline Brubæk) 29 August 2000

http://www.dinside.no/reise/ferietema/shopping/verdens+største+kjøpesentre/art15244.html
In this story about the world's largest shopping centre the journalist writes about the Canadian shopping centre the West Edmonton Mall. The journalist writes: "Stedet er West Edmonton Mall – den Canadiske staten Albertas største turistattraksjon" State?? The West Edmonton Mall is located in the provincial capital of Edmonton, in the province of Alberta in Canada. Alberta is not a "state." Alberta became a province the same year Norway received independence from Sweden in 1905. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states. The use and term province has been a fact in Canada since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. When Great Britain took over Canada by Treaty from France in 1763, the British kept the French system of provinces already well established in Canada for 100 years. Does the Norwegian journalist use the term of state to describe provinces in Canada, because the USA has states, and since Canada is also located in North America, so Canada must use states as well? Do Norwegian journalists either guess or assume Canada has states, thinking it must be the same as in the USA? Should the facts not be checked first? In addition where she writes that the shopping centre is the "staten Albertas største turistattraksjon" is taken from the West Edmonton Mall's website - where is clearly written: "in the province of Alberta". Even though the Canadian reference clearly states "province" on the shopping centre's website, it was changed to state in the Norwegian story. Several e-mails have been sent to Dinside to ask for a correction to this error, and it has never been made.

2) Nye håndbagasjeregler (By Karoline Brubæk) 6 November 2006

http://www.dinside.no/reise/produkter/bagasje/nye+håndbagasjeregler/art356045.html
In this story about travel to North America (Canada and the USA are mentioned, but not Mexico for some reason) the journalist writes about the new travel regulations on airlines, and then directs readers for travel to Canada and the USA to the U.S.A's Transportation Security Administration for the U.S.A's regulations. She writes: "Reisende fra USA og Canada har andre størrelsesbegrensninger å forholde segtil. Her skal væskebeholdere inneholde maks 90 ml (3 amerkanske ounces), og posen skal ha maksmål på 20x20 cm. Flere tips for flyreiser i Nord-Amerika her." This is not correct. North America is not just the USA! This is not correct information for Canada. Why would a US government agency be the reference for Norwegian travellers to Canada? Are Canadian travellers supposed to refer to the Swedish or British or German government for regulations on travel to Norway? For travel to Canada the link in the story should have been to the Administration canadienne de la sûreté du transport aérien / Canadian Air Transport Security Authority for Canadian requirements. On a side note, Canada uses the metric system, and if ounces are used in Canada, it is the British Imperial system ounce, not American ounces. Canada is not the USA! This story is just another example of how sometimes Norwegian journalists just dump Canada in with, or as part of the USA, thinking it must be the same. This is not fair to Norwegian readers. The story was later corrected.
3) Toronto - The Mekka of hockey (By Stine Okkelmo) 29 December 2006

http://www.dinside.no/reise/ferietema/storby/toronto++the+mekka+of+hockey/art362173.html
In this Dinside story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian city of Toronto, but the story includes many mistakes. First, the spelling is written as – "Tornonto" in one paragraph, it should be "Toronto." Second, the spelling of Yonge Street is "Yonge" not "Young" street as the journalist has written. Third, the journalist writes "Toronto er ikke hovedstad, som mange tror, men byen er for alvor ishockeyens hovedstad." Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario in where it is located. Fourth, he writes: "Canadiere har alltid hatt et slags mindreverdighetskompleks overfor amerikanere. Derfor skal de gjøre alt amerikanere gjør, bare litt bedre, litt større og litt høyere. Som et svar på Sears Tower fant de ut at de måtte ha noe som overgikk dette. Løsningen var å bygge det 553 meter høye CN Tower." Where does this come from? Canada is the neighbour to the USA, but to write Canadians built this tower because of a "inferiority complex" to the USA is ignorance and reflects many Norwegians inability to write about Canada without copmparing it to the USA, and reflects the ignorance and lack of understanding Norwegians have about Canada and Canadians. The object of building this tower had nothing to do with the USA or Americans, but to show the strength of Canadian industry, and was built by Canadian National Railways, at the time a Crown corporation of the Government of Canada. Here's a little history for clarity: "During Toronto's building boom in the early 70's, a serious problem was developing. People were experiencing poor quality television…The pre-skyscraper transmission towers of Toronto stations were simply not high enough anymore...In 1972, Canadian National (CN) set out to build a tower that would solve the communications problems, serve as world class entertainment destination, and achieve international recognition as the world's tallest tower." Why do Norwegian journalists so often when writing about Canada, always do so in comparison to the USA? Why is it that Canadian journalists can write about Norway effectively and accurately without having always to judge and compare Norway to Sweden or Germany? Instead of writing Canadians have always had some inferiority complex with Americans can't Dinside write the real reasons behind the building of the CN tower? Why when Canada is discussed in the Norwegian press is it always in relation to the USA? Japan, Dubai, Mexico, Russia, Brasil, and other countries around this world all have tall towers. Do these countries all have "inferiority complexes" to the USA? And, if Dinside was writing a story about towers in these countries would the same journalist write that these countries did it out of an inferiority complex to the USA? Canadian press coverage of Norway and Norwegian culture isn't so limited, narrow, and ignorant to just write Norwegians have a complex about their big Swedish neighbour and that's reason behind why they do things. The Oslo Plaza hotel in Oslo, Norway is the tallest hotel at 117 metres. Would it be correct for a Canadian journalist to write that the Norwegians have always had an inferiority complex to Swedes and Americans, and as a result the Norwegians needed to build a hotel higher than the Swedes and everyone else in Northern Europe in order to feel superior to the Swedes and Americans? Dinside's coverage of Canada, which is minimal at best, often includes mistakes and limited details of Canada, Canadians and Canadian culture, and Norwegian readers if they want a better perspective, should consult a Canadian or non-Norwegian publication. Almost every story written about Canada has generalisations, mistakes or plain assumptive comments that would make any Canadian wonder where Norwegians from where they get their information. Comments that paint a different picture than reality of Canada.

4) Sporty? Vær her i 2007! (By Dag Erik Grøtnæs) 1 January 2007

http://www.dinside.no/php/kontakt/kontakt.php?aid=361973
In this story uder the section Stanley Cup there are several errors. First, the journalist writes "Verdens eldste trofé som fortsatt kan vinnes." This is not correct. The Stanley Cup is one of Canada's oldest trophies that can be won, but not the world's oldest. The oldest in the world is in the USA and is called the America's Cup from 1870. Second, the name Stanley Cup is a nickname. The real name of the Stanley Cup is the "Dominion Challenge Cup" and is the Canadian trophy used in the NHL. Third, the NHL is not "å vinne av de fire store amerikanske ballidrettene." The NHL was founded by Canadians in 1917, in Montreal, in Canada. The Canadian founded and Canadian based NHL/LNH later allowed USA based teams to join into Canada's league in 1924. The first US team did not play in the NHL until 1924, seven years after the formation of the NHL. The Norwegian journalist writes it is an "American ballidrettene." but this is not correct. Modern hockey is a Canadian invented sport, a Canadian sport exported to the USA from Canada, so how can the journalist give credit to the Americans for a sport and a professional league started by Canadians in Canada? Today, because of the population of the USA, there are more American based teams than Canadian teams. In addition, the trophy comes from Canada, and 57% of the players are still Canadians. For your reference: "At its inception, the NHL boasted five franchises- the Montreal Canadiens, the Montreal Wanderers, the Ottawa Senators, the Quebec Bulldogs, and the Toronto Arenas. The league's first game was held Dec. 19, 1917." The NHL has two offices in Canada, one in Montreal and one in Toronto, and there is one office in the USA. That's like writing skiing comes from Finland or Sweden and not from Norway. Is it not the responsibility of Norwegian journalists to verify their facts before the print that they "think" they know as the truth? In addition F.Y.I., basketball is another Canadian invented sport, invented by a Canadian. Dr. James Naismith from Almonte, Ontario, Canada invented the game of basketball in 1891. Dr. Naismith introduced the game to the USA when working in the USA as a physical education instructor. Norwegian ignorance of the facts or of the origins of the game is no excuse for unprofessional journalism and mistakes. For reference: "James Naismith was the Canadian physical education instructor who invented basketball in 1891. James Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario and educated at McGill University and Presbyterian Cllege in Montreal. He was the physical education teacher at McGill University (1887 to 1890) and at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts (USA) (1890 to 1895)." Why are there so many mistakes in Dinside's stories? Are the facts not verified before a story is printed? Is the quality of journalism so poor that the basic facts are not reported correctly?

5) Karnevalskalender for USA (By Karoline Brubæk and Inga Holst) 14 January 2002
http://www.dinside.no/reise/ferietema/uteliv&fest/karnevalskalender+for+usa/art28617.html
The title of this story and subtitle are confusing. First, the heading states "Carnival Calendar for USA." USA?? Canada is not in the USA so to be accurate the title should say Carnival Calendar for Canada and USA, not just the USA. The subtitle would be less confusing to readers if it stated: "Fra strandparty i California (USA) til isskulpturer i Ontaria (Canada)." Also, the province of Ontario in Canada is spelt - "Ontario" not "Ontaria" as it is written in the Dinside story. The city of Quebec in the province of Quebec is called "Ville de Québec" and is located in the province of Quebec in Canada. Why is there the need to say Frenching speaking "Quebec City?" The journalist doesn't write "English speaking Ontario?" In addition, the festival details for Ontario are vague. The province has 12 million people and thousands of cities, what places are the journalists referring to?

6) Canadisk lov som stinker! (By Karoline Brubæk) 27 June 2000
In this story regarding Halifax in the province of Nova Scotia in Canada, the Norwegian journalist writes: "...hovedstaden i delstaten Nova Scotia." State?? That is wrong. Nova Scotia is a province in Canada, not a state. Canada does not have states. Why would a Norwegian journalist use an American term to describe a province in Canada? Provinces in Canada differ in how the function politically and legally from states in the USA. Canada has used province since Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Why is it that Norwegian press doesn't seem to have a problem using province for countries like China, Afghanistan, France and others that use provinces, but yet, seems to have this problem with Canada? Is it that Norwegian journalists just make assumptions because Canada happens to be located in North America with Mexico and the USA? Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America that are A) republics and B) divided by states. The story has never been corrected.

7) Bjørnejakt i Canada (By Stine Okkelmo) 15 September 2005

http://www.dinside.no/reise/ferietema/sport&aktiv/eksotiske+jaktreiser/art266111.html
In this story about the Province of Alberta in Canada (like the story about about Nova Scotia) the Norwegian journalist writes: "Jakt på svartbjørn i delstaten Alberta." Again, Canada does not have states, but provinces and has been using provinces since 1663. This journalist has made an assumption and used the USA term for Canada. An e-mail was sent to Dinside to point out this error for correction, but a reply, nor a correction was ever made or received.

8) Verdens beste øyer (Kristin Sørdal) 26 October 2007

http://www.dinside.no/reise/nytt/verdens+beste+yer/art493688.html

In this story the Norwegian journalists writes: "Beste øy i Nord-Amerika 1. Vancouver Island 2. Kiwah 3. Nantucket og Gulføyene i Britisk Columbia (Canada)." Nantucket is not located in Canada, but in the USA. Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are located in Canada, but not Nantucket.

9) Fremtidens filmferiesteder (By Stine Okkelmo) 6 February 2006

http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=289714
In this story the Norwegian journalist refers to the Canadian province of Alberta as a "state" which is not correct. Alberta became a province in Canada in 1905, and has never been a state. Canada does not have a states. The Norwegian word for province is "provins". After the journalist was informed of the error the reference to Alberta as a state was removed, but not replaced by the correct term province.

10) Nord-Amerikas topp ti (By Stine Okkelmo) 18 September 2007

http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=397165
In this story about the ranks of the top 10 ski places, taken from the U.S. magazine SKI Magazine, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Whistler/Blackcomb, British Colombia (Canada)." The Canadian province of British Columbia is spelt British Columbia not "British Colombia" as the journalist writes. The American SKI Magazine spelt it correctly, but not the Norwegian journalist. After e-mailing the journalist to correct the error, no response or correction was made. Yes, this is a minor spelling error, but would the Norwegian media accept having New York spelt as "New Yark" in their stories or London as "Londan," or any other international city or province?

11) Pudderperlen Colorado (By Hans Kristian Krogh-Hanssen) 19 January 2006

http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=287726
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "British Colombia i Canada." The Canadian province of British Columbia is spelt British Columbia not "British Colombia" as the journalist writes. Colombia is a country in South America.

12) Catskiing i Canada (Vebjørn Haugerud) 19 March 2008
http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=514177
In this story the writer states: "Vi reiste på cat skiing til naturparadiset The Kootenays i British Colombia" and "Vakkert vinterlandskap i British Colombia." The Canadian Province of British Columbia is spelt British Columbia" not "British Colombia." Colombia is a country located in South America. An e-mail was sent to Dinside, but no reply was received.

13) Flere store shoppingsenter (Kristin Sørdal) 6 December 2004

http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=113319&=katnav

"Kina står klare til å overta shoppingtronen, men ennå er det strengt tatt amerikanerne som innehar tittelen "verdens største shoppingsenter."

14) Overvekt øker risiko for benbrudd (By Jorunn Egeland) 23 November 2005

http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=350508

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Studien ble presentert på et møte i Obesity Society i Vancouver, USA." This is the wrong country. The Canadian city of Vancouver (2010 Canadian host city for the Winter Olympics), and the Obesity Society mentioned are located in the country of Canada, not in the USA as this journalist writes. An e-mail was sent to Dinside and the journalist, but a reply nor a correction was received, and the mistake never corrected.

15) Pudderperler i Colorado (By Hans Kristian Krogh-Hanssen) 5 February 2009

http://www.dinside.no/803098/pudderperler-i-colorado

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Mount Elbert topper lista med sin 4.399 meter høye trone i fjellmassivet som strekker seg 4.800 kilometer sørover fra British Colombia i Canada, til New Mexico i USA." The Canadian province of British Columbia is spelt British Columbia not "British Colombia" as is written in this story. Colombia is a country in South America.

16) Du kan bli fet av kontaktlinser (By Helseredaksjonen) 11 September 2008
http://www.dinside.no/786046/du-kan-bli-fet-av-kontaktlinser
In this story DinSide writes: "Nå har amerikanske forskere ved universitetene Yale og Ontario sett nærmere på hva som kan skje når man utsettes for nær eksponering av kjemikaliet." There are a few mistakes here. First, they mention the Canadian province of Ontario (which is in Canada), and American researchers. The story should read: "Nå har kanadisk og amerikanske forskere ved universitetene Guelph i Canada, og Yale i USA sett nærmere på hva som kan skje når man utsettes for nær eksponering av kjemikaliet." The Canadian researchers are from the Canadian University of Guelph in the province of Ontario in Canada, and are Canadians, not Americans, as DinSide writes. The American researchers from Yale is correct; they are Americans. The mistakes in this story about not correctly identifying the Canadian researchers and the Canadian university is another excellent example of the Norwegian media mistakes about Canada and Canadians.

17) Danskefrie løyper (By Hans Kristian Krogh-Hanssen ) 23 February 2009

http://www.dinside.no/805217/danskefrie-loyper

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Et av dem er Mont Tremblant i staten Quebec." Canada does not have states, and Quebec is a French speaking province in Canada, not a state. Canada has 10 provinces and has been using provinces for 346 years since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states. The Norwegian word for province is provins. After contacting the journalist, the mistake has not been corrected.
18) Kan dette komme i brødet ditt? (By Tone Ra Pedersen ) 21 May 2009
http://www.dinside.no/813315/kan-dette-komme-i-brodet-ditt
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Data fra alle barn født i delstaten Quebec mellom 1990 og 2005 ble samlet inn - hele 1 324 440 unger. Totalt ble 2 083 av disse født med alvorlig hjertefeil." This is not correct, Quebec is a province in Canada, not a state. Canada has been using provinces for 346 years when Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Mexcio and the USA are the only two countries with states in North America, Canada does not. The Norwegian word for province is provins. It story should state; "Data fra alle barn født i provisen Quebec mellom 1990 og 2005 ble samlet inn - hele 1 324 440 unger. Totalt ble 2 083 av disse født med alvorlig hjertefeil."

Anniken Huitfeldt - Norwegian Minister of Children and Equality

2009-06-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

Et kultursensitivt barnevern (By Norwegian Minister of Children and Equality Anniken Huitfeldt) 26 September 2008

http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/bld/dep/barne--og-likestillingsminister-anniken-/taler-og-artikler/2008/et-kultursensitivt-barnevern-.html?id=528038
In this speech, the Norwegian minister states: "Utvandringen til Amerika på 1800-tallet ga Norge en sikkerhetsventil i ei tid med sosial uro, rask folkevekst og mye fattigdom. En liten seilskute, "Restaurationen", førte de første 52 norske utvandrerne fra Stavanger til New York i 1825. Siden den gang utvandret omkring 900.000 nordmenn til USA og Canada fram mot 2. verdenskrig. Fra og med 1836 og til dampskipene overtok på slutten av 1800 tallet, seilte det hver sommer emigrantskip fra Norge til amerikanske havner." This is not correct. Historically, most Norwegians that immigrated to the USA came through the country of Canada, and Canadian harbours and ports, not American port or harbours. There were over 800,000 Norwegians that left Norway from the period mentioned, but not all went to "Amerika" as the minister states. Of the three countries in North America, the majority of Norwegians went to the USA, but others immigrated to the country north of the USA - Canada; and later thousands of Norwegians left the USA and immigrated to Canada. In addition, a small number of Norwegians immigrated to Mexico. Outside of these three countries in North America (Canada, Mexico, and USA), others went to New Zealand, and Australia et al. The minister states: "Fra og med 1836 og til dampskipene overtok på slutten av 1800 tallet, seilte det hver sommer emigrantskip fra Norge til amerikanske havner." This is not correct. The majority of the Norwegians that went to the USA, came through Canadian harbours or Canadian ports (approximately 500,000 of the 800,000 that went to North America), where they were received by the British and Canadian governments. Upon arrival in Canada and onto Canadian soil, they were processed through British and Canadian government immigration, and then moved onto the USA from Canada. Norwegians should look into the reasons they came though Canada. These Norwegians sailed mostly on immigrant ships to Canadian harbours and ports, not America as the minister writes. The majority of Norwegians came to North America through the Canadian harbour in the Ville du Québec, in the Province du Québec, in Canada. Most Norwegians coming to North America landed in Canadian harbours and ports, not American ones as she states. This is a mistake in what she states. In the book From Fjord to Frontier: A History of the Norwegians in Canada by Gulbrand Loken, Toronto: 1980 he writes "In the nineteenth century Canada was the corridor or passageway to the United States for over half a million Norwegians". (p. 14). Upon arriving in the Canadian port of Quebec (one of the French speaking parts of Canada) the majority of Norwegians would have heard the French language, as much as, if not more than English. Upon arrival, the Norwegians would have been processed through by British and Canadian government officials, and in many cases sick immigrants would have been quarantined on Grosse Île 48 km from the Canadian port of the ville du Québec (http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile/index_f.asp). It's surprising a minister in the Norwegian government would make claim that most Norwegians that immigrated to the USA came though American harbours, when in facts they came through Canadian harbours and ports. It seems, many Norwegians honestly think the only part of their history that is worth mentioning relates to the USA.

Verdens Gang (VG Norge) - 29 Stories

2009-06-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

1) Finanskrisen truer OL-landsby (ESPEN SOLBAKKEN) 13 January 2009
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=535804
This story is an excellent example of the guessing and assuming that takes place about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture by some Norwegian journalists. It's an excellent example of how some Norwegian journalist seem confused about the currency used in Canada; and either guess or assume we use American money as Canadian currency. In this story about the 2010 Winter Olympics taking place in the Canadian city of Vancouver in western Canada, the journalist writes about the effect of the financial crisis on the Olympic village currently being constructed in Vancouver. This is a Canadian story, quoting Canadian officials, taken from AP using Canadian currency amounts, where for some reason the Canadian currency amounts in the story are guessed as being the USA's currency and converted with the USD-NOK exchange rate, instead of the correct CAD-NOK exchange rate. In the story the journalist writes: "Kostnadsrammen på seks milliarder (820 millioner dollar), fordeler seg på 4,5 milliarder i rene byggekostnader, en snau milliard i tomteverdier, mens resten på omlag 700 millioner kroner skal være kostnadsoverskridelser." The amount of $820 million as stated is in Canadian currency, afterall the Olympics are being held in Canada, so natuarlly that is the working currency of Canada. The $820 million Canadian converts: 820 million CAD x 5.83NOK = 4.78 millarder NOK, not "seks (6) millarder as the journalist writes. He is wrong by 1.25 millarder NOK. In addition, the cost overruns of $103 million Canadian currency, converts $103 million CAD x 5.83NOK = 600 million NOK, not the "700 millioner kroner" the journalist writes. He is wrong by 100 million NOK. How is it that a Norwegian journalist reporting about an Olympic financial story from Canada, can be so wrong by using the wrong foreign currency for Canada? It's unbelievable to think some Norwegians think we use the USA's money in Canada when Canada has its own currency. This would be like a Canadian journalist writing about a cost overun in the Lillehammer Olympics using the Swedish Crown or EURO.
2) Betalte 300 000 for å være Dalys caddy (Kristian Holli) 31 July 2006
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=125058

In this story the Norwegian journalist has taken a Canadian story about a charity golf game in Canada and for some odd reason uses a foreign currency (USD-NOK) exchange rate to convert the Canadian currency amount into Norwegian Crowns (NOK). The charity golf game took place in the country of Canada; the amount of $51,000 dollars is in Canadian currency (CAD$), but for some reason the journalist used the USD-NOK currency exchange rate (a foreign currency not used in Canada) to convert the Canadian money. The amount listed is $51,000 in Canadian currency, which is: $51,000 CAD$ dollars x 5.45NOK for the Canadian exchange rate = 277,950 NOK. The journalist wrote 314,000NOK, a difference of 36,050 NOK. In addition, the total charity amount in the story was $67,000 Canadian dollars which is 365,150 NOK. The journalist wrote "innbrakt nærmere 400 000". How does a Canadian story, from Canada, with Canadian money, from a Canadian newspaper, somehow get converted with the USD-NOK currency exchange rate when the currency and the story is not from the USA? Why would a journalist use a foreign exchange rate for Canadian currency? This would be like a what a Canadian journalist using the Swedish Crown or Euro exchange rate to convert the Norwegian Crown, from a story taking place in Norway. Do some Norwegian journalists actually think Canada uses the USA's currency?
3) Afghansk popstjerne drept etter konsert (CATHERINE IGHANIAN) 10 May 2005 http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=276761

Although there is nothing technically wrong with this story, it is uncertain where it takes place. The Norwegian journalist just writes "Vancouver", but where is Vancouver? Are Norwegians that well informed about Canadian cities and Canadian geography that they will automatically know where Vancouver is located? There is a Canadian city of Vancouver (located in the Province of British Columbia) in western Canada, and there is also an American city called Vancouver, in the USA, in Washington state. Which one does she mean? Which country is she referring to? This would be like a Canadian journalist just writing the name of the city of Bergen, and not mention the country. Would most Canadians know what country that's in?
4) Destiny's Child sammen i studio (Catherine Gonsholt Ighanian) 9 August 2005
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=286257
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the city of Vancouver. The country the city is located in is not mentioned. There are two cities in the world with the name Vancouver. One is in Vancouver, in Canada, and the other is Vancouver, in the USA. In an e-mail to the journalist it was asked which country was she referring to in her story, as it was not clear with the name. In a reply she writes, "Vancouver, USA.", but that is wrong. The city in the story is actually the city of Vancouver, Canada. Was it just a guess? There are hundreds of stories in the Norwegian press that mention several different Canadian cities of all sizes and locations within the various provinces of Canada, and yet Canada is never mentioned. Are Norwegians so well informed about Canadian geography that adding in a reference to Canada is not necessary, or do most Norwegians just guess, think, or assume it's the USA? It seems that is not helping give full context to the story, which doesn't benefit the Norwegian reader. The reality is that Canadian cities are less likely to be identified as Canadian in the Norwegian press than cities from countries in the U.K. Australia, and USA. Most Norwegian journalists are in fact not well informed about the location of many Canadian cities, and out of this ignorance (and perhaps some laziness) make little effort to clarify the proper country. The other reality of the Norwegian method of reporting on Canadian stories is often through USA news media publications, not Canadian sources. The Norwegian press often picks-up a story about Canada from American news publications (i.e. CNN, etc.) that makes no reference to Canada in it (i.e. Vancouver, British Columbia or Toronto, Ontario) and then reprint the stories in the Norwegian press without adding Canada or changing the facts to Canadian. Often, there's just an assumption made because it's from a USA news source, it is in the USA. In many USA written stories about Canada, most American journalists will take the Canadian story and "translate" the Canadian details for the benefit of American readers. For example, they will change the Canadian currency to USA currency, change the metric measurements to the British Imperial system (i.e. miles, pounds, temperature, etc). As a result, USA converted stories are then reproduced in the Norwegian press with an American perspective, which doesn't always keep the details Canadian. If Norwegian journalists are going to follow a Canadian story, there are hundreds of Canadian media outlets they could follow the story from - why use a USA media source for a Canadian story, especially major Canadian stories? This does not help to better inform the Norwegian reader, not give a complete story. It would be like Canadian journalists reporting about Norwegian news following through the German or Swedish media.
5) Dristig Rihanna vant favorittpris (CATHERINE GONSHOLT IGHANIAN,

& CAMILLA FLAATTEN) 19 June 2006
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=120136

In this story about the Canadian MuchMusic Video Awards (Canada's version of the MTV Video Awards) in Canada the journalist gives a listing of the prize categories, but decides to exclude the Canadian prize categories. She writes:
"Her er vinnerne i hovedkategoriene:
Beste video: Kardinal Offishall f. Ray Robinson - Everyday
Beste regi: Kardinal Offishall f. Ray Robinson - Everyday
Beste cinematografi: Buck 65 - Devil's Eyes
Beste popvideo: Massari - Be EasyMuchLOUD
Beste rockevideo: Nickelback - Photograph MuchVibe
Beste rappevideo: Classified - No Mistakes
Beste uavhengige video: Metric - Poster of A Girl
MuchMore Music Award: Michael Buble - Save the Last Dance for Me
Beste internasjonale video-artist: Rihanna - S.O.S.
Beste international videogruppe: Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends
Beste internasjonale gruppe: Fall Out Boy - Dance Dance
Beste internasjonale artist: Kelly Clarkson - Because of You"There are 16 categories at the MuchMusic Video Awards, and all are listed except the three Canadian categories - Favourite Canadian Group, Favourite Canadian Artist, and Best French Video, they have been deleted. In this story (important enough to be covered by VG, but not important enough to cover the Canadian content) the journalist is reporting about the largest Canadian music video awards event in Canada, in Canada's largest city of 4.5 million people, watched on Canadian television by millions of Canadians, and somehow the awards given by Canada's MuchMusic to Canadians are not worth mentioning in her story. The categories of: * Favourite Canadian Group* Favourite Canadian Artist * Favourite French Video. These are all important and major categories at the MuchMusic Video Awards show and to millions of Canadians that watch MuchMusic. Why is omitting Canadian content, or not recognising Canada and Canadians, or not giving credit to Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture in the Norwegian press stories so common? Why write about a Canadian awards event if you're just going to delete the Canadian awards? It's like reporting on the Olympics taking place in Norway and not bothering to mention the Norwegians that won the medals. Why do the British, Australians, and Americans get such better coverage of their music and culture in the Norwegian press than Canada and Canadians? Is Canadian culture not as good in the mindset of Norwegian Press? Why are Canadians so often not credited for being Canadian in the Norwegian press and Norwegian websites, when British, Australians, and Americans get their reference for being who they are? And, why are Canadians so often referred to as being Americans in the Norwegian press? NWM has seen Canadians such as William Shatner, Jim Carrey, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Pamela Anderson, Kiefer Sutherland, Celine Dion, David Foster Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, and so many others reported as Americans, Australians, or from France. This happens in the Norwegian press more to Canada and Canadians more than any British, Australians, or Americans. Why? Even when Canadians like Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Pamela Anderson, David Foster, Henry Larson, and so many others receive the highest recognition or award in Canada for their contribution to Canadian culture and society, it is rare if ever reported. Yet, their achievements in foreign countries like the USA and Britain are often reported. When Canadians do well at home in Canada for their own country, why is there no mention in the Norwegian press? Are Canadians seen as boring when in Canada, and only seen as exciting outside of Canada? It seems there is a double standard in the Norwegian press when it comes to reporting on Canadians and Canadian achievements.
6) VG Nett / Rampelys / Filmdatabase / Het Ungdom
http://interaktiv.vg.no/filmextra/film.php?id=5098On VG's site the movie Porky's is listed as "Amerkansk" as the nationality. That is wrong. The movie is a Canadian film, with Canadian actors (including Canadian actress Kim Catrell), and until 2006, also the second top grossing English speaking film in Canadian history. The plot and location may take place in the USA, but this is a Canadian film.
7) 20 personer skadet i skoleskyting i Canada (By INGUNN ANDERSEN, &

MONA BRISTØL ) 13 September 2006
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=130424

In this terrible story the journalists make two mistakes. They write: "største skolene i delstaten Quebec" and "Minst 13 personer skal være fraktet til sykehus, tre av disse er kritisk skadd, sier fransk politi under en direktesendt pressekonferanse onsdag kveld." Quebec state? French police? Québec is a province in Canada, not a state. We do not have states in Canada. In Canada, like France, China, Afghanistan there are provinces, not states. Canada uses the French system of provinces since New France was proclaimed a Royal Province of France in 1663. Why would a Norwegian journalist use an American term and political system for Canada? In the other mistake they write: "sier fransk politi." We don't have police from France in Canada. Why would a journalist write that we have police from France in Canada? The police in French speaking part of Canada are French speaking Canadians, so to be correct the proper term is Canadian. Canada was originally a French colony of France, and when Canada became part of the British Empire after the Seven Years War in 1763 the two largest European ethnic groups in Canada today are French speaking Canadians and English speaking Canadians. We are all Canadians, but the two largest groups are French-Canadians (Canadians that speak French - ca. 1/3 of Canada, and more than double Norway's entire population) and English-Canadians (Canadian that speak English - ca. 2/3 of Canada). Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world after Paris, so the majority of people living there are French speaking Canadians, not from France as this journalist writes. How do mistakes like these happen? Are journalist not supposed to confirm their facts before they write their stories? What source did these journalists use that referred to Quebec as a "state"? None of the other international coverage called Quebec a "state" or referred to the Montreal police as being from France. After e-mailing the journalist the corrections were made. In asking the journalist what source she used that identified Quebec as a "state"; she wrote that there was "no source." If that is the case, a guess or an assumption was made that we have states in Canada and that was published in the story without confirming the facts. If Norwegian Media Watch did not contact the journalist it's possible these errors would still be in the story. It is easy to see how the Norwegian media helps to contribute to misunderstandings about Canada and Canadians with Norwegian public. Think how many people read these mistakes, and never the corrections? The story has now been corrected.
8) Fisk, skodde og historie (Submitted By FRED LIEF to VG) 30August 2006
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=127989

In this well written and story about the province of Nova Scotia in Canada the writer makes two errors. One is a small error referring to "Fundy Bay" which is actually called the Bay of Fundy. In the second mistake he writes: "som akadierne - fransk-amerikanere - tekket tak med." This is not correct. The Acadians are not "French-Americans" as he writes, but are "French-Canadians." The Acadians are French speaking Canadians living in what is today the province of Nova Scotia, in Canada. Take from Wikipedia:
"The Acadians (French: Acadiens) are the descendants of the original French settlers of parts of the northeastern region of North America comprising what is now the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Although Acadians and Quebecers are both French-Canadian, Acadia was founded four years prior to the founding of Quebec and in a geographically separate area. Furthermore, Acadians to a great extent hail from different parts of France than do M>Quebecers. Consequently, the two have formed distinct cultures."
Americans are the people living in the USA, and of course Acadia and Nova Scotia are located in Canada. French is an official language of Canada and there are more French-Canadians in Canada than Norway and Denmark's population combined. This is an excellent example of the difficulty Norwegians have in seeing Canadians as "Canadians." Why are Canadians so often referred to as "Americans" in the Norwegian press and in Norway? In comparison, it is hard to see in the Norwegian press Norwegians referring to Mexicans as "Americans" or "Spanish-Americans" or Brazilians as "Americans" so why are Canadians so often referred to "Americans" in Norway? Why is Canada the only country on either one of the two continents on this side of the Atlantic Ocean that is treated this way in Norway? Why does a Canadian travelling in Norway get constantly asked "Are you American?" How often does a Mexican or Brazilian get asked "Are you American when travelling in Norway? Let's face reality, when most Norwegians hear the word "American" they are not thinking of Brazilians or Mexicans, but yet referring to Canadians as "Americans" in the Norwegian press doesn't see to be a problem. See the story below for an example.
9) Klarte ikke verdensrekorden (By KRISTINE ELSHAUG) 15 January 2003
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=5234543

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes, "Denne amerikaneren satte onsdag ny verdensrekord." That is wrong. The man is a Canadian from Winnipeg, Canada and NOT an American. How can the man be an American when his nationality is Canadian and he is from Canada? The story was later corrected to state: "Denne mannen fra Canada." Why wasn't it just changed to "Denne canadianeren"? In addition, one mistake still remains in the story, under the picture of the Canadian man it states: "VERDENSMESTER: Brent Moffatt fra USA tok onsdag ny verdensrekord i piercing." Brent Moffat is a Canadian from Winnipeg, Canada, NOT from the USA. How does this kind of lazy journalism take place? From all the stories posted on the Norwegian Media Watch website, it is clear there is a problem in the way some Norwegian journalists see Canada. And many don't research their stories, and don't confirm their facts before they print. What Norwegian would not be bothered to read in a Canadian newspaper about the Nobel Peace Prize from Stockholm, Sweden, or Berlin Germany? The journalist corrected the one mistake in the text and didn't bother to correct the mistake below the picture.
10) Blir syk på tross av vaksine October 2004
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=250839

In this story that mentions the province of Ontario in Canada, the Norwegian journalist writes "delstaten Ontario." State?? The province of Ontario is in fact a province and not a "state" as this journalist has written. Canada has been using provinces since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Countries like Canada, China, Afghanistan all have provinces. Why would this journalist use an American term in reference to Canada? The mistake has never been corrected. Eveb after e-mailng the journalist the mistake has never been corrected. The Norsk Presseforbund states mistakes should be corrected. They are journalistic guidelines in Norway.
11) Antibiotika til spedbarn kan gi astma Tina Oppen) 19 June 2007
http://www1.vg.no/helse/artikkel.php?artid=141593

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "(VG Nett) Barn som blir behandlet med antibiotika i løpet av sitt første leveår har en økt risiko for å utvikle astma, viser en ny amerikansk undersøkelse." This is wrong. The study she calls American is not American; it is a Canadian study from the University of Manitoba in Canada. Why would a Norwegian journalist take a Canadian study and change it to call it American? A guess? This story is an excellent example of how Norwegians often guess or assume that stories about Canada reported in the international press are from the USA. Is this journalist that informed about Manitoba and it's location to say it is in the USA or was it just a guess? Many Norwgeian journalists seem to be so confident of their geography to just guess or assume Canadian cities are in the USA. And instead of giving the University of Manitoba credit for being in Canada, and instead of giving Canada credit for this study, the USA receives the credit. Should it be the norm in the Canadian press to give credit to Sweden or Germany for Norwegian studies, just because Canadian journalists "think" or "assume" they know where Norwegian cities are located? It is no wonder why so many Norwegians are so poorly informed about Canada if their media assume or guess, instead of verifing what they "think" they know is correct. In addition, the original story from the New York Times does not call or state the study is American, this has been added in by the Norwegian journalist. Do journalists not have a responsibility to verify their facts before they print a story?
12) Wrestling-stjerne funnet død (BJØRNAR TOMMELSTAD) 26 June 2007
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=145165
In this story about Canadian wrestler the Norwegian journalist writes: "(VG Nett) Den amerikanske fribryteren Chris Benoit (40), hans kone og sønn (7) ble mandag funnet døde i hjemmet sitt." American?? Wrong nationality. Chris Benoit is of course a Canadian, not an American as this journalist has written. The worst part is the original AP story does not state he is an American, in fact even refers to his wrestling nickname as the "Canadian Crippler". Did the journalist just guess or assume he is American and decided to add that in?
13) Politiet drepte Robert (40) med strømpistol (Morten Ulekleiv Eng) 15 Nov. 2007
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=185686

There a couple of mistakes in this very tragic and terrible Canadian story the Norwegian journalist has reported on from a foreign news media outlet; the USA's CNN story. He writes: "- Det mest bekymringsverdige var at én av politimennene brukte kneet og beinet til å holde hodet hans på gulvet, sier Pritchard til CNN." Paul Pritchard did not say this to the American CNN as the Norwegian reporter writes, (Cable News Newtork in the USA), he said this to a Canadian news agency - the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as it clearly states in the American CNN story - "Probably the most disturbing part is one of the officers uses his leg and his knee to pin his neck and his head to the ground," Pritchard told CBC News." The Norwegian reporter has changed this fact of him saying this from Canada's CBC to USA's CNN, when he did not say this to CNN. Why would a reporter do this? Second: "Zofia Cisowski er bitter på det canadiske politiet for tapet av sin sønn. Til den amerikanske tv-stasjonen CBS sier hun at det nå må bli en slutt på bruken av strømpistoler.- De må gjøre noe, fordi dette dreper, den dreper mennesker, sier Cisowski til CBS." She did not say this to CBS, she said this to CBC. How can she have said this when CBS is a foreign news service from the USA and she is in Canada? As well, the CNN story clearly says she states this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In both these quotes the Norwegian reporter changed it to say these Canadians said these comments to American news agencies when they in fact stated these comments to Canadian news agencies. Why would a Norwegian journalist change the name of Canadian news agencies when the USA's CNN story does not say this? From CBS: "They have to do something with this killing with that Taser weapon. they should do something because that is killer, people killer," Cisowski told the CBC before going into seclusion. Would it not be more useful to use a Canadian source for this Canadian story? Would Norwegian journalists use a Canadian media sorce to report about an American story? So why use an American story to report about a Canadian story? It seems there is some difficulty being able to tell the difference between Canadian and American news agencies despite the fact the correct Canadian ones are listed in the CNN and CBS story the Norwegian journalist quotes from. The Americans, the British and Australians seemed to get these facts correct, yet some in the Norwegian press made these errors. After notifying the Norwegian journalist he apologised and promptly corrected the mistakes.
14) Nyskilte Tori giftet seg (CATHERINE GONSHOLT IGHANIAN) 8 May 2006
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=115700

There is nothing "technically" wrong with this story, but it is an excellent example of how the Norwegian media has a tendancy to delete or remove all references to Canada or Canadians in some of their coverage. This story is about American actress Tori Spelling and her marriage to Canadian actor Dean McDermott. In the VG story the Norwegian journalists quotes from comments made to the American magazine People. In the American story they mention two Canadian cities, and Canada, yet in the VG story the Canadian reference to Dean McDermott is excluded, the two Canadian cities are excluded, and Canada is not mentioned. It is clear from People Magazine the events around their meeting and being in Canada is clear and important to mention to American readers, but from reading the Norwegian story, all Canadian references are excluded. To a Norwegian reading the story they would not know they meet while filming a movie in Canada, that he proposed to Tori Spelling in Canada, or that Dead McDermott is a Canadian. What's the problem here?? Why is Canada so often not worth mentioning to so many Norwegian journalists? If this story was about Tori Spelling marrying an Australian or Brit, then chances are much more likely these facts would not be omitted. If she had met an Australian or Brit and not a Canadian, the chances are more likely these details would be mentioned. Why is there such a tendancy in the Norwegian press to make Canadians, Canada, Canadian events and culture look American? Why is there so little consideration to respect to mention Canada, Canadians, and the Canadian cutlure in the Norwegian press as is done with the British, Americans, and Australians? From a Canadian perspective, it is easy to see the Norwegian press has a bad habit of excluding references to Canada, to being Canadian, locating cities in Canada, or acknowleding Canadians much more often than Australians, Brits, and Americans? Why? Why are Canada and Canadians less likely to be acknowledged in the Norwegian press, even when they are acknowledged in the stories the Norwegian press base their stories from?
15) Latter baner vei for romantikk (By Madeleine Ferre ) 25 January 2006
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=143661
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Amerikansk undersøkelse Forskerne Eric Bressler ved Westfield State College i Massachusetts, USA, og Sigal Balshine fra McMaster University i Hamilton, Ontario..." McMaster university is a Canadian univesity located in Hamilton, in the Canadian province of Ontario in Canada, not an American univesity as the heading states. The heading "Amerikansk undersøkelse" is not correct. For this story to be correct it should state: "Amerikansk og Kanadiske undersøkelse". Why does the Canadian univesity the particiapted in this study not get mentioned for the correct nationality it is - Canadian? Why does the country of Canada not even get mentioned. Not more than a handful of Norwegians know that McMaster University is a Canadian university. If the effort is made to identify the American university as American, then why is there no effort to identify the Canadian university? Because it is Canadian it's not worth it? Does it not deserve recognition in the same way as the American univesity? What this Norwegian journalist has done is like a Canadian journalist writing a story about a Norwegian and Swedish study, and identifying the Norwegian university as Gaerman or Swedish, and the Norwegian researchers as German or Swedish. An e-mail was sent to have the story corrected, but it has never been corrected. Why are Canadian instutions often not treated with the same fairness in the Norwegain press? So often, Canadian researchers, Canadian universities, Canadian studies are identified as being American!
16) Ledger-film blir fullført (By Øystein David Johansen ) 29 January 2008
http://www1.vg.no/film/artikkel.php?artid=503363

In this story, the Norwegian journalist identifies Canadian actor Christopher Plummer as British. The Norwegian journalist writes: "I tillegg klaget han veldig på at han ikke fikk sove, og tok sovepiller,sier den engelske veteranskuespilleren." Mr. Plummer is Canadian, not English, born in Toronto, in the province of Ontario in Canada. He is one of Canada's most famous actors, and in fact he is also a direct decendent of one of Canada's Prime Ministers, Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott (1891). Mr. Plummer speaks both French and English, and has been in several Canadian films, and international films, and is one of the world's leading Shakespearean actors. The journalist promptly correct the error after an e-mail was sent.
17) Pamela flyttet inn i «Big Brother» (Catherine Gonsholt Ighanian) 10 July 2008

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about Canadian Pamela Anderson: "Tre dager til ende får realitydeltagerne ha besøk av den amerikanske TV-stjernen (41) - på dagtid. Pamela skal ikke overnatte i «BB»-huset." Pamela Anderson is from Canada, not American as this journalist writes. In addition, the BBC story the Norwegian journalist mentions in the story, does not state Pamela Anderson is an American, and the Australian and Canadian media stories about this story, all identify her as a Canadian:

http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/07/10/Pamela_Anderson_enters_Brigitte_booted http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=594895 http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2008/07/09/anderson-pam-bigbro.html

This Norwegian journalist and some Norwegian journalists seem to believe that many Canadians working in the USA for their careers are somehow automatically "Americans" now, and are no longer Canadians, or have no longer any Canadian identity. It's true many Canadians work in Hollywood, but so do many Brits, Australians, Swedes, and other nationalities. So why do Canadians so often in the Norwegian press, more than Brits, Australians or Swedes, end up being identified and reclassified as "Americans" in Norwegian news and entertainment stories? And, if Norwegian journalists can claim that Norwegians that immigrated to the USA at an early age (Knute Rockne for example), or Americans born to a Norwegian parent or parents (Renée Zellweger for example) are still Norwegians even after either coming to USA at an early age or are in fact born American, and raised American, then how can they write in their stories that Canadians are Americans now. It is a double standard, and hypocritical of these Norwegian journalists that take away a Canadian entertainer's identity, just because a Norwegian journalist doesn't hold any real significance to the Canadian identity. Take this quote from Canadian actor Michael J. Fox for example from the London (Canada) Free Press: "I became an American citizen a few years ago, mostly because I pay a lot of taxes and I wanted to see where it went. If we're buying bombs, I want to have some say in who we drop them on. And also I had four kids in school. So just to get my American thing out of the way, I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had in the U.S. But if you're a Canadian, you're always a Canadian. There's kind of an acceptance of life on life's terms. There's a feeling sometimes in America of, 'We can change it. We can rebuild it. We can make it what we need it to be.' And in Canada it's kind of like, 'Well, it is a mountain.' And then Canadians figure out a way to get up it, over it, around it, or just sit in the shade of it, you know?"
18) Svenske sjokkerte NHL-slåsskjempe (By MORTEN ULEKLEIV) 25 September 2009

http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=526598

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes "Slåsskamper er normalt i amerikansk ishockey og anses også somen viktigdel av underholdningen for store deler av tilskuerne. Svensken knock out påBrennan Evans var sesongens første, men definitiv ikke den siste." It should say: "Slåsskamper er normalt i canadisk ishockey" or "Slåsskamper er normalt i ishockey i USA og anses..." or "Slåsskamper er normalt i nord-amerikansk ishockey og anses også..." To call the Canadian sport of hockey, invented in Canada, played in the Canadian founded NHL (1917) is wrong. Hockey that is played in the USA is comes from Canada. The NHL was formed and started in Canada in 1917. The first American team did not join the NHL until 1923. The original teams, in the Canadian founded NHL/LNH are all Canadian. The modern game of ice hockey was founded in Canada, and exported to other countries outside of Canada including the USA, etc. When the NHL/LNH first started 100% of NHL/LNH players were Canadian. Today of course, 55% of the players are still Canadians largely due to more Swedes, Russians, Finns, and Americans playing the game. The majority of players playing in the USA on USA based teams are Canadians. What you have written is like a Canadian journalist writing XC skiing in Norway is a Swedish or German sport. Why do so many Norwegian journalists think the game Canada invented is American? After several e-mails back and for to the journalist, the story was correct to say: "Slåsskamper er normalt i nord-amerikansk ishockey og anses også som en viktig del av underholdningen for store deler av tilskuerne." Why is it so difficult to have credit given to Canadians in so many Norwegian stories where credit or reference to Canada and Canadians is due?
19) Her er USAs hotteste idrettsarena (LARS VESTAD) 14 November 2008
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=524087
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Her er USAs hotteste idrettsarena" and "3. Air Canada Center, Toronto." USA?? This is wrong. The Air Canada Centre is not in the USA, it is located in Canada. Second, "Air Canada Center" is splet wrong; it is spelt "Air Canada Centre." He has properly used the correct Canadian spelling. Can you please correct Canadian spelling which is Air Canada Centre. This is like a Canadian journalist writting that Oslo's Ullevaal Stadion is located in Germany or Sweden. It was correct four days later on the 18th of November.
20) Nytt parkometer varsler deg (Tina Oppen) 7 August 2007
http://www.vg.no/bil-og-motor/artikkel.php?artid=158088
In this story about the Canadian company - Photo Violation Technologies, and the newly Canadian invented parking meter the journalist writes: "amerikanske byene." First, this is a Canadian company that has sold its technology and products to Canadian cities, and exported it out of Canada for sales to USA cities. She writes "American" cities, but Vancouver, British Columbia is a Canadian city, not American, located in Western Canada. How is it that a story about a Canadian company identifies a Canadian city as being in the USA? Is Oslo located in Sweden or Germany? Not only is it not mentioned as being Canadian, there is no mention the company is Canadian, and in addition she has either assumed or guessed the Canadian city of Vancouver is located in the USA.
21) Brokkoli halverer faren for å få prostatakreft (Julie Hæhre) 3 August 2007
http://www.vg.no/helse/artikkel.php?artid=157692
In your story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det har et forskningsteam fra USA konkludert med etter å undersøkt 1300 menn og deres kostholdsvaner." This is wrong. The 1388 patients were Canadians from Toronto, with a Canadian researcher - Dr Victoria Kirsch leading the research. It was a team of Canadians and Americans working on this joint study, yet in the story a Canadian doctor, a Canadian medical institution, and Canadian research is mentioned, but they are identified as Americans, and from the USA. This was a team of Canadians and Americans from the two countries doing this study, yet Canada and Canadians that were included and doing research in this study are not even recognised, and their nationality incorrectly identified in the story as being from another country. See the story below. To be correct the story should say "Det har et forskningsteam fra Canada og USA konkludert med etter å undersøkt 1300 menn og deres kostholdsvaner". What has been written here is like a Canadian journalist giving Swedes and Sweden or Germans and Germany all the credit for the research done by Norway and Norwegians.
22) Andrea Bocelli: «Amore» (By KURT BAKKEMOEN) 28 February 2006
http://www.vg.no/musikk/artikkel.php?artid=182312
In this story KURT BAKKEMOEN writes "Amerikanske David Foster har produsert denne plata der blant andre Stevie Wonder, Kenny G. og ikke minst Christina Aguilera er gjester. Dette er en voksenpopplate med klassisk islett." American?? Wrong nationality! This is not correct. David Foster is Canadian, not American as Kurt writes, and comes from British Columbia in Canada.
23) Mange stipendkroner til overs Superstipend til USA-studenter

(Svanhild Blakstad - Dine Penger) 22 November 2006

http://www1.vg.no/pub/vgart.php?artid=158205
In this story the title states: "Superstipend til USA-studenter" and then it states: "Hvert år deler Norge-Amerika Foreningen ut 3 millioner kroner i stipend til studier i USA og Canada." Which one is it? Just USA? Or Canada and USA? The title is wrong since the story is about studying in two countries in North America, not just the USA. It should state: "Superstipend til Canada og USA-studenter" or "Superstipend til Nord-Amerika-studenter." Canada is not in the USA as the title suggestes, and considering the programme includes monies to Canadian universities. In fact, most of the story mentions just the USA, even though the first paragraph mentions: "...ut 3 millioner kroner i stipend til studier i USA og Canada."
24) Lyst til flytte til syden som pensjonist? Ta med pensjonen utenlands

(Eline Hvamstad) 30 October, 2007

http://www1.vg.no/pub/vgart.php?artid=177332
In this story about pensions the Norwegian journalist writes: *Land utenfor EØS-området: U.S.A., Canada, Quebec, Chile, Tyrkia, Kroatia, Serbia og Montenegro." Quebec?? The Canadian province du Québec is not a country; it's part of Canada. To be correct is should say: "*Land utenfor EØS-området:U.S.A., Canada, Chile, Tyrkia, Kroatia, Serbia og Montenegro." After e-mailing VG Dine Penger, they responded, but didn't want to correct the mistake.
25) Billy Bob Thornton forbannet under radiointervju (Halstein Røyseland)

9 April 2009
http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/04/09/kjendis/musikk/film/billy_bob_thornton/5688073/
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Billy Bob Thornton (54) og bandet hans, The Boxmasters, er for tiden på turné med Willie Nelson, og tidligere denne uken var de gjester under morgenshowet på CBS Radio i Canada." CBS Radio in Canada??There is no CBS Radio in Canada. In the United States, Canada's neighbour to the south, there is a T.V. network called the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). The Canadian interview mentioned in this story took place on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) /Radio-Canada (SRC) in Toronto, in Canada. What is written here is him being interviewed on a U.S. radio programme, even though he has done the interview in Canada and there is no CBS radio in Canada. The CBC in Canada, is the same as the BBC in Britain, as is the same as ABC in Australia, and similar to NRK in Norway. This would be like a Canadian journalist writing about a Canadian musician being interviewed on NRK in Germany or Sweden. The mistake was promptly corrected by the journalist on the same day.

26) Her er Obamas gigantiske militærimperium (By Marianne Vikås , Mads A. Andersen & Tom Byermoen) 8 December, 2009

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=582848

In this Norwegian story, the Norwegians jounnalists write "5.500 militærbaser hjemme og ute." In the graph it shows the Americans have two military bases in Canada. This is not correct. There are no USA military bases in Canada. The Canadian government would not allow any foreign country to place military bases in Canada. The source the Norwegian journalists are using says the U.S. military has less 144 square feet (less than 15 square metres) of space in Canada, and does not list any bases under the "Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Nantional Guard" sections of their military report. After confirming with the USA's Embassy to Canada in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, that there are no USA military bases in Canada, VG has not corrected the mistake in their story.

27) Slik blir USA-turen billigst (Richard Nodeland) 10 December, 2009

http://www.vg.no/dinepenger/artikkel.php?artid=596537

Is this a story about Canada or the USA? In the title it says USA, in the story it states: "200.000 nordmenn besøker Obama-land årlig." But of course Canada is not the country of Obama, that is the USA. Yet, some of the content is: "Det generelle prisnivået i USA og Canada er ikke bare mye lavere enn i Norge, det er også lavere enn i Alpene. Skal du bo billig, må du velge moteller i nærmeste by." Then it states: "Med ekstreme snøfall gjennom vinteren er både USA og Canada et paradis for løssnøkjøring." This story is another excellent example of how the Norwegian media just dumps Canada in with USA centred stories as an afterthought, or adds Canada in with a USA story, that is really just about the USA, and Canadia is added in as some afterthought. If this story is about the USA, which the title, 200,000 Norwegians, USA pictures clearly indicate it is, then why is Canada added into it? Is this a travel story for the USA? Or is it a travel story about North America? If it's about North America, then why so little coverage about Canada? And why no mention of the Norwegians that travel to Canada? Canada is not part of the USA, so why is it in the story. If the story is about Norwegians visiting countries in North America then should it not say that in the title? In the story? This is like Canadian journalists writing Sweden is the country Canadians visit, and thousands of Canadians visit Sweden, and Sweden has so much to offer Canadians, and if you're visiting Sweden and Norway.

28) Superstipend til USA-studenter (Svanhild Blakstad) 16 November, 2009

http://www.vg.no/dinepenger/artikkel.php?artid=598624

In this Norwegian story the journalist writes: "Du kan få 200.000 kroner i stipend Superstipend til USA-studenter." This is not quite correct. Canada is not located in the USA. This story is not about just studying in USA, it's about Norwegian students wanting to study in two different countries in North America - Canada and the USA. The title should be: Superstipend til Nord-Amerika-studenter. The stipends available are not just for the USA, as the VG title suggests, but also for two Canadian universities. The Norge-Amerika Foreningen (Noram) has 3 million NOK to study in North America, not just the USA.

29) U2 tjente best i 2009 (Halstein Røyseland) 1 January 2010

http://www.vg.no/musikk/artikkel.php?artid=599813

In this story about music sales in North America, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Til sammen solgte U2 omlag 1,3 millioner konsertbilletter i USA i fjor." This is not correct. This should say: "Til sammen solgte U2 omlag 1,3 millioner konsertbilletter i Nord-Amerika i fjor." The totals in the original Pollstart story are for North America sales - Canada and the USA, not just the USA. Also the journalist writes "Bruce Springsteen - «The Boss» - er fortsatt ganske sjef. Sammen med The E Street Band spilte han inn omlag 545 millioner kroner i USA i 2009." This is not correct either. This should say: "Bruce Springsteen - «The Boss» - er fortsatt ganske sjef. Sammen med The E Street Band spilte han inn omlag 545 millioner kroner i Nord-Amerika i 2009." The totals are North America sales, not just for the USA, but also include sales in Canada. How is it possible to state the totals for just the USA despite the fact the original Pollstar story states: "Pollstar Top 50 Tours of North America." Are Norwegians taught the USA is the only country in the continent of North America?

Nordmann-Reiser "Amerikaspesialisten"

2009-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

This Norwegian company claims to specialise in travel to the two continents on the Canadian side of the Atlantic Ocean; North America and South America. An interesting feature about their corporate logo is the use of the USA's Statue of Liberty, a symbol that only represents one country on this side of the Atlantic - the USA. It does not represent Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Belize, Argentina, etc., etc. In North America and South America, and including the Caribbean, there are over 30 countries in the Western Hemisphere. In the Nordmann-Reiser 2008 catalogue, (and website), their travel stories for one of the travel destinations - Canada - is filled with several sloppy and unprofessional mistakes. How can they claim to be specialists for travel to North America when they can't even get some of the most basic of information about the country of Canada correct? These may not be major mistakes, but they reflect an attitude that permeates many in the Norwegian press and Norwegian organisations about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture. An attitude that verification of Canadian details, proper use of Canadian terminology, currency, geography etc., is not that important. And often, if Norwegian journalists gets the Canadian details wrong, they are "close enough" to being accurate that it doesn't really matter. An attitude that certainly reflects that Canada is not important enough to take time to get right. Oddly, does this Norwegian journalist attitude take hold when stories about the U.K., Australia, the USA are covered? Would Nordmann-Reiser start referring to Australian and American states as provinces for example? Would Nordmann-Reiser feel having as many mistakes in their coverage on the USA be acceptable as their coverage on Canada? Their mistakes about Canada include:
1)"Banff - Lake Louise: Ikke minst strekningen Colombia Icefield Parkway mellom Banff og Jasper er populær." Colombia is spelt wrong, the correct name of the Columbia river system and Columbia ice field is "Columbia." Colombia is a country in South America.
2)"Edmonton: Edmonton er hovedstaden i delstaten Alberta...Den største attraksjonen er West Edmonton Mall som nå er Nord-Amerikas nest største shoppingsenter." This is wrong. The Canadian city of Edmonton is the capital city of the Province of Alberta, not "delstaten" as is written. Canada does not have states, and has been using the French system of provinces for 345 years when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Mexico and USA are the only two countries in North America with states. As well, the Canadian shopping centre - West Edmonton Mall is the largest in Canada, the largest in North America, and is the largest entertainment and shopping centre in the world. It is larger than "Mall of America" in the USA. Many Norwegians seem to think the USA's "Mall of America" is the largest in North America, but this is not correct.
3) "Halifax: Halifax er Canadas eldste by grunnlagt i 1749 av britene og har en sterk skottsk innflytelse." Halifax is not Canada's oldest city. The Ville de Québec (founded 1608) and St. John's in Newfoundland (St. John's is the oldest English-founded settlement in Canada and in North America, by Royal Charter in 1583) are Canada's two oldest cities.
4) "Toronto: Yorkville er et trendy område mens Yonge Street er hovedgaten med bl.a. Eaton Shopping Center....Villmarksopplevelser i Algonquin National Park." In their catalogue they have Eaton Shopping Center; this is the wrong name, and is also spelt wrong. It's called and spelt the Toronto Eaton Centre. The Toronto Eaton Centre uses the Canadian spelling of "centre". Also, Algonquin Provincial Park is a provincial park in Canada, not a national park. This means the park (7630 square kilometres) is administered by the government of the Province of Ontario, and not the Canadian government. Two different types of parks and levels of government in Canada.
5) "Vancouver: World Trade Center og Vancouver Trade and Convention Center" These are also spelt wrong, and the names of the two facilities are wrong. In Canada they are spelt using the Canadian spelling of The Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre and also World Trade Centre Vancouver. Both use the Canadian spellings of "centre" not the American spelling of "center".
6) "Victoria: Hovedstaden i delstaten British Columbia ligger...Butchard Gardens." The city of Victoria is the provincial capital of the province of British Columbia. British Columbia is a province in Canada, and has been since 1871 when the British colony negotiated with the Canadians to join Canada in 1871 as Canada's 6th province. Canada has been using the French system of provinces for 345 years from 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Mexico and USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not. In addition the correct name of the gardens is "Butchart Gardens", not Butchard Gardens. Their website and catalogue are excellent examples of how little respect and attention is paid to using the correct names of Canadian places, the proper Canadian spellings, and the correct Canadian political terms and descriptions. And, it's obvious that paying attention to detail about Canada in their catalogue is not their specialty.

Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK) / Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) - 23 Stories

2009-06-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

From the NRK website: "NRK's corporate social responsibility is summed up in our business concept by four catchwords: We will inform, develop, challenge and entertain Norway with our programming." NRK may entertain, challenge, but is seems like they need to better develop their knowledge of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture. Of the 10 posted stories listed below (and there must be others) NRK does a good job of misinforming readers about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture. Do these journalists just have a blank cheque to assume or guess what they are writing is correct about Canada and Canadians? Do these journalists not verify information before they print a story? And why have no corrections been made to some of these mistakes, even after the journalist and NRK have been informed? Shania Twain an American?? Canadian football is American football?? The 2010 Winter Olympics in the USA?? The Canadian province of British Columbia is in the USA?? The Canadian city of Calgary (also the 1988 host city for the winter Olympics) is in the USA?? Canadian wrestler Chris Benoit is an American? Canada's Prime Minister is a President?? Why are there so many mistakes about even the most basic of information about Canada??
1) Shania Twain (Elisabeth and Roger Myren) 23 January 2006

http://nrk.no/musikk/artistar/5423808.html

In this story the Norwegian journalists have listed Canadian singer Shania Twain as an "American." Wrong nationality. Shania Twain is from Canada, not from the USA, and she is Canadian, not an American. Shania Twain was born and raised in the province of Ontario in Canada, and that would make her a Canadian. For some strange reason these journalists have written she is an American. Was it a guess or an assumption? Do Norwegians think all the success music and culture that comes from North America is from the USA? Mexico and Canada are in North America, and yet Canada and Mexico do produce successful cultural exports. It's very strange to write she is an American since NRK lists her Canadian birthplace. Why would these journalists inform their Norwegian readership she is an American when she is a Canadian? If a Norwegian musician is born and raised in Norway, does that make him or her Swedish or German? After e-mailing these journalists they corrected their mistake.
2) Hardangermoreller til hele verden (By Jo Hjelle og Asle Hella) 27 July 2006
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/hordaland/1.778556
In this story the Norwegian journalists write: "De norske morellene overtar i uke 33 morell-hegemoniet fra British Columbia i USA, og det betyr at norske moreller blir enerådende i England." British Columbia is a not located in the USA. British Columbia is a Canadian province located on the west coast of the country of Canada. That is like writing that Stavanger in Norway is located in Sweden, Denmark or Germany. Most likely this was a guess or an assumption, as it seems many Norwegian journalists assume or guess they know about Canada and don't bother to verify their facts before publishing many of their stories. This website is evidence of this Norwegian problem. The mistake was later fixed.
3) I kjølvatnet a Leiv Eriksson (By Gunnar Sandvik) 11 June 2007
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/more_og_romsdal/1.2673322
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "New Foundland og Canada," but the province of Newfoundland is located in Canada. As well, the spelling of the province of Newfoundland as "New Foundland" is not correct. The province's name is one word - Newfoundland. That is like spelling Norway - "Nor Way." In one line the story states: "Det er en tøff jobb å komme inn på det amerikanske markedet, sier verksjef Dr. Robert J. Petzenhauser ved Hustadmarmor. Men vi er stolte over å ha greid det." Does he mean the American market or the Canadian market, or the North American market? After contacting the author the correct spelling of Newfoundland was updated in the story.
4) Norge tek maten frå kvalen (By Øyvind Andre Haram) 5 November 2007
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/1.3952784
In this story the journalist writes: "Universitetet i British Colombia i Canada." The province of British Columbia in Canada is spelt, Columbia not "Colombia". Colombia is a country in South America. This is a fairly common mistake in the Norwegian press relating to this Canadian province.
5) Wrestlingstjerne, kone og barn funnet døde (By Anders Brekke) 26 June 2007
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/utenriks/1.2803933
In this story about Canadian wrestler Chris Benoit the Norwegian journalist writes: "Den amerikanske wrestlingstjernen Chris Benoit ble funnet død med sin kone og sønn på mandag. Saken etterforskes som dobbeldrap og selvmord." Wrong nationality. Chris Benoit is a Canadian, not an American as the journalist has written. He may have lived and worked in the USA for his career, but this Canadian comes from one of the French speaking parts of Canada, and has a French-Canadian name. He is not an American as NRK has written. To put this into context, this is like writing a Norwegian is Swedish just because he lives and works in Sweden, or a Norwegian is a German just because he lives and works in Germany. The worst part is the original AP story does not state he is an American, in fact even refers to his wrestling nickname as the "Canadian Crippler." Did the journalist just guess or assume he is American and decided to add that in?
6) G8: Fra klima til atomvåpen (Rima Iraki) 6 June 2007
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/utenriks/1.2627427
In this story the NRK writes underneath the photograph "Fra venstre til høyre: USAs president George Bush, den kanadiske presidenten Stephen Harper...." Canadian President?? This is a mistake, Canada does not have a president, it has a Prime Minister. Mexico and the USA are the only two republics in North America, and thus the only two countries in North America with a president. Canada is not a republic, and has basically the same system of government as Great Britain and many other countries with a Monarch. Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and a parliamentary system of government modelled off of Great Britain's government. Canada was a former French colony, conquered by Britain in 1758-1763, and given to Britain by treaty in 1763, and remained a British colony until the Canadians negotiated independence from Great Britain in 1867. This is an excellent example of how so often many Norwegian journalists guess or apply what they know of the USA thinking it must be the same in Canada. Why do so many Norwegian stories so often say Canada uses USA's currency (and not Canadian currency)? Canada has "states" (and not Canada provinces)? Canada has a "president" (and not a Canadian Prime Minister?) etc. How are such basic facts of the country of Canada so often incorrectly reported? Some Norwegian journalists must be so convinced they "know" the country of Canada to write this information without even checking their basic facts before printing a story.
7) - Ingen kan ta oss (Lene Granli og Fredrik Hansen) 26 March 2008

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostafjells/vestfold/1.5202991

In this story the Norwegian journalists write: "Han satser i hvert fall mot OL i Vancouver i USA i 2010, men først går tankene mot åpningskampen mot Tyskland på lørdag." This is a mistake. First, the country of Canada, not the USA is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. What these journalists have written is like a Canadian journalist writing "Lillehammer in Germany" is hosting the Olympics. And Second, the Canadian city of Vancouver is located in the Canadian province of British Columbia in the country of Canada, not in the USA as the journalists write. After e-mailing the journalists and NRK four times the story has still not been corrected.
8) Gull til Stordal (By Camilla Wernersen/ Elin Svilaas) 20 Dec. 2004

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_ostafjells/buskerud/4363482.html

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "På nyåret skal Stordal til Calgary i USA for å kjempe i World cup sprinten og målet fremover er også en medalje i OL i 2006." This is wrong. The city of Calgary is a Canadian city located in Canada, not in the USA.
9) 2008: Godt for inuitter i Canada (By Piera Balto) 30 Dec. 2008

http://www.nrk.no/kanal/nrk_sami_radio/1.6379435

In this story the writer states: "Den siste avtalen om landrettighetene ble inngått i Nunavik, Nord Quebeck, etter mange års forhandlinger. Både Nunavik og Nunatsiavut har fått hjemmestyre." The province of Québec in Canada is spelt Québec, not Quebeck as written.

10) Nærmer seg OL i 2014 (Andreas Budalen & Tommy Barstein) 23 october 2009

http://www.nrksport.no/hopp/1.6832209

In this story the Norwegian journalists write "I sommer kom avgjørelsen om at det ikke ble hopping i vinterens OL i Vancouver etter at høyesterett i den canadiske delstaten British Columbia avslo kravet fra en gruppe kvinnelige skihopper." Delstaten?? How can there be states in Canada, when Canada does not have states? British Columbia is a province in Canada, and has been since 1871. The Norwegian word for province is provins. With just over a few months till the Olympics in Canada, it might be a good time to for NRK to learn there are no states in Canada. "I sommer kom avgjørelsen om at det ikke ble hopping i vinterens OL i Vancouver etter at høyesterett i den canadiske provinsen British Columbia avslo kravet fra en gruppe kvinnelige skihopper." An e-mail was sent to NRK, but no reply was received from the journalist.

11) Klart for historisk åpningsseremoni (Kristian Elster & Ole Jacob Jorsett) 12 February, 2009http://www.nrksport.no/1.6476099
In this story about Vancouver, Canada and the upcoming winter Olympics in Canada, the Norwegian journalists have written under the photo of the interior of British Columbia Place "På innsiden av BC Place Stadium under en amerikansk fotballkamp." American football team?? Wrong sport and wrong country and wrong nationality. The Canadian team is not an American football team, it is a Canadian football team. These are three different types of the game of football played in North America. The team is the provincial team for British Columbia called the British Columbia Lions (B.C. Lions), and they play Canadian football, a different type of football than American football, with different number of players, different field size, rules, history, etc. The team pictured there is the B.C. Lions, and they are part of the Canadian Football League / Ligue canadienne de football. These journalists have incorrectly identified the game of Canadian football as American football. These are two separate and different games. American football is played in the USA, not in Canada, and Canadian football is played in Canada, not in the USA. It is two different sports. What they have written is like a Canadian journalist writing Norwegians play Australian football.
12) Ein redda etter helikopterstyrt (By Magnus Stokka) 12 March 2009
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/utenriks/1.6522200
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian province of Newfoundland & Labrador on the east coast of Canada. In the story he writes: "New Foundland." This is not correct. The spelling is Newfoundland. That would be like a Canadian journalist spelling Norway - Nor Way. Not a major mistake, but considering Newfoundland was first discovered in 1497, and ca. 1000 by the Icelandic Norse, and is the closest piece of North America to Europe, it's not some spec of an island in the middle of the Atlantic.
13) Nortel venter underskudd på 180 milliarder (Author not stated) 18 June 2001
http://www3.nrk.no/magasin/nyheter/okonomi/1093605.html
In this story the journalist writes: "Amerikanske Nortel Networks varslet før helgen at selskapet vil rapportere et underskudd på rundt 180 milliarder norske kroner i årets andre kvartal. Dette betyr at 10.000 mister arbeidet." American?? This is not correct. How can it be American when the company is Canadian, and from Canada? Canada's Nortel Network is Canadian, not American. It should say: "Kanadiske Nortel Networks varslet før helgen at selskapet vil rapportere et underskudd på rundt 180 milliarder norske kroner i årets andre kvartal."
14) - Obamas nettmøte er historisk (By Oddvin Aune) 26 March 2009
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/kultur/1.6543552
In this story the Norwegian journalists writes: "Barack Obama ble under valgkampen avbildet et utall ganger med sin Blackberry – en amerikansk smart-telefon, spesiallaget for e-post-bruk." American phone?? Wrong nationality. How can it be American when Blackberry is a Canadian telephone? BlackBerry is not American as the writer states. Blackberry comes from Canada, not the USA. This should say: "Barack Obama ble under valgkampen avbildet et utall ganger med sin Blackberry – en kanadisk smart-telefon, spesiallaget for e-post-bruk." Research in Motion, the makers of Blackberry and this Canadian technology and phone come from the province of Ontario in Canada, not the USA. Yes, Obama, the Americans (and nor available in Norway) love this phone yes, but the product is Canadian.

15) 45.000 km til OL (By Arve Lote) 22 October 2009

http://www.nrksport.no/meisterskap/vancouver_2010/1.6830318

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "hovedstaden i delstaten British Columbia på landest vestkyst - ikke langt fra Vancouver, der vinter-OL skal avvikles fra 12. til 28. februar 2010." Delstaten?? How can there be states in Canada, when Canada does not have states? British Columbia is a province in Canada, and has been since 1871. The Norwegian word for province is provins. To be correct it should say: "hovedstaden i provinen British Columbia på landest vestkyst - ikke langt fra Vancouver, der vinter-OL skal avvikles fra 12. til 28. februar 2010." Canada has been using provinces for 346 years, since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. The only two countries in North America with states are Mexico and the USA.

16) Med balsaflåte over Stillehavet 19 April, 2002

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/bakgrunn/portretter/thor_heyerdahl/1797919.html

17) Gullfeber i Klondike (By 7 August, 2007) Ingelin Røssland

http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/newton/1.3134248

18) Noen styrkerekorder (Viggo Valle) 7 August, 2007

http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/newton/1.3133858

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Rekorden for å heve seg selv opp på én arm har Robert Chisholm fra Canada. Han klarte 22 ganger på rad da han deltok i en turnering på Queen's University i Kongston i delstaten Ontario 3. desember 1982." Delstaten?? Kongston? There is not states in Canada. Ontario is a province in Canada, and has been since 1867. Canada has been using provinces for 346 years when Canada became a royal province of France. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not. And the Canadian city of Kingston is spelt "Kingston," not "Kongston" as the journalist writes. To be correct the story should say: "Rekorden for å heve seg selv opp på én arm har Robert Chisholm fra Canada. Han klarte 22 ganger på rad da han deltok i en turnering på Queen's University i Kingston i provinsen Ontario 3. desember 1982."

19) Indianerjenta i Canada - 26 October 2002

http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/tore_pa_sporet/2244181.html

20) Reddet etter natt på isflak (Anne Cecilie) 9 November, 2009

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.6857805

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det viste seg at de to hadde kommet bort fra hverandre like ved utløpet av Hudson Bay i Nunavuat-provinsen i Canada." Province? Nunavut is a territory in Canada, not a province. Canadian territories does not have provincial status in Canada. They are basically one step lower politically than a Canadian province. Canada is divided by three territories and 10 provinces. Also, the location Coral Harbour is spelt "Coral Harbour" with the Canadian spelling, not Harbor. After e-mailing NRK and the journalists, the story has never been corrected. It's amazing that even the most basic information about a Canadian story is not correct, nor any desire to correct the story.

21) 11 av 13 nobelprisvinnere i ett rom (Oddvin Aune) 2 December, 2009

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/nobels_fredspris/1.6892410

In this story about Nobel winners in physics, NRK writes: "Og i år ble det ekstra folksomt. Hele 11 av årets 13 nobelprisvinnere er amerikanere, hvorav 10 er fra USA og én fra Canada." Eleven are Americans?? That is not correct, Willard Boyle's nationality is Canadian, not American. He comes from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Yes, he was working in the USA at an American university at the time, but that does not make his nationality American. For example, the Norwegian golfer Susann Petterson who won the Canadian Open Women's Golf in 2009, lives and trains in the USA, but she's still a Norwegian, and the Canadian media didn't report her as an "American" that won the Canadian Open. If a Norwegian works at a Canadian university and wins the Nobel prize for physics, he's still a Norwegian. Further on in the story the photo captions states: "Amerikanerne Willard Boyle, Charles Kao og George E. Smith fikk Nobelprisen i fysikk 2009." Again, Boyle's nationality is Canadian, he's from Canada, not the USA. This story is an excellent example of the Norwegian double standard towards Canadians. It's amazing how easily some Norwegian journalists can take away a Canadian's nationality and identity, and just identify him or her as an American, or from the USA or some other country, but Norwegians that live and work in the USA or some other country for their careers are still considered Norwegians. Norwegian stories relating to Knute Rockne, Torill Kove, or Swedish born Canadian actor Malin Ackerman still credit these Swedes and Norwegians as Swedish and Norwegian, but so often Canadians get their nationality and citizenship changed to American, and not Canadian. After several e-mails over the course of a week, the story was finally corrected, and Canadian Willard Boyle given proper credit. How can Norwegian readers trust some of the content written about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture, if the most basic of Canadian information is wrong?
22) "NHL-slåsskjempe er død" (Bjørnar Hjellen) 6 July, 2010
http://www.nrksport.no/ishockey/1.7198831
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes "Amerikanen falt sammen under en båttur sammen med familien i Windsor, Ontario, i Canada, melder NHL.com. Han ble kun 45 år gammel." American? That is wrong. Propert's nationality is Canadian, not American. He's from Canada, not from the USA. The story was later corrected, yet no reply received from the journalist.
23) Ryddesjau før topplederne kommer (NRK Norway) 25 June, 2010
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7184788
In this Norwegian story about the Canadian hosted G-8/G-20 in Toronto, Canada, NRK posts the location the journalist is reporting from as "USA" above his name. The reporter, and the G-20 was in fact taking place in Toronto, Canada, not in the USA. After notifying NRK there was a mistake and that the G-20 and the reporter was in fact taking place in Canada, and not in the USA, NRK changed it to read "G20." Why is it okay to write the "USA", but when finding out about the wrong country mistake changed to read "G20" and not "Canada?" It's okay to list "USA" when they thought the G20 was taking place in the USA, but not Canada? Why?

Erna Solberg (Member of Parliament) Høyre - Leader of the Conservative Party of Norway

2009-06-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

1) Vil ha fest for nye landsmenn (VG Story) 22 April 2004
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=224253
In this article published in VG on immigration in Norway, Norwegian Conservative Leader politician Erna Solberg was quoted as saying that in Canada new Canadian citizens, and in the USA new American citizens and pledge allegiance to the constitution of their new country: "I USA og Canada må nye statsborgere løfte høyre hånd og avlegge en troskapsed til konstitusjonen i sitt nye hjemland." Erna Solberg is wrong about Canada. This is not correct for Canada and new Canadian citizens. In the USA new American citizens do this, but in Canada (not part of the USA - the northern neighbouring country above the USA) new Canadian citizens don't pledge allegiance to the Canadian Constitution. This story and her comments are another an excellent example of how so many Norwegian journalists, and in this case a Norwegian politician just assume or guess about Canada and Canadians, and often apply the USA's experiences and traditions to Canada and Canadians. In Canada, being a separate country, with a separate history, new Canadian citizens do not pledge allegiance to Canada's constitution. New Canadian citizens pledge allegiance to Canada's Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Canada. Pledging an allegiance to a constitution is not part of the Canadian experience or way of life, despite what Solberg states in her story. In Solberg's comments she has just informed every Norwegian reader of the VG story that this American tradition is also the same from the country of Canada. Here are the details to becoming a Canadian Citizen in both of Canada's official languages - French and English. The oath is taken in French or English depending on if you're a French speaking Canadian, or an English speaking Canadian:

"Canadian Citizenship Ceremony: A citizenship ceremony is the final step in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen. It occurs after the individual passes either a written test or an oral hearing. There is a legal requirement for the individual to attend the ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship. The ceremony is conducted in French or in English. During the ceremony, the new citizen receives a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship. Guests attending the ceremony, who are Canadian citizens, may be invited to reaffirm their commitment to Canada by repeating the oath along with the new citizens. THE OATH OF CITIZENSHIP: 'From this day forward, I pledge my loyalty and allegiance to Canada and Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada. I promise to respect our country's rights and freedoms, to defend our democratic values, to faithfully observe our laws and fulfil my duties and obligations as a Canadian citizen.' [In French ]Je jure (ou j’affirme solennellement) que je serai fidèle et porterai sincère allégeance à Sa Majesté la Reine Elizabeth Deux, Reine du Canada, à ses héritiers et successeurs, que j'observerai fidèlement les lois du Canada et que je remplirai loyalement mes obligations de citoyen canadien.] After the oath, the clerk calls out the name of each new citizen to get his/her certificate from the judge. There are closing remarks and then the singing of the anthem. Congratulations! You've become a Canadian Citizen."

After sending Erna Solberg an e-mail informing her of her mistake, she commented that she in fact did "see there was a difference." Of course there is a difference; Canada and the United States of America are two different, separate, independent and sovereign countries in North America. But despite the fact she knows there is a difference, she publicly states that Canada follows a tradition that does not happen in Canada. It must be easier for Norwegians to assume or guess that Canada's traditions are the same traditions as the USA's; much like how Norwegians often complain how the world sees them as some part of Sweden. Canada and the USA are neighbours, they are not part of each other. Erna Solberg mentioned that she had in fact "been to a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony" and "witnessed" it in person. It is hard to believe that someone who has actually been to a Canadian Citizenship ceremony would say Canadians follow the same traditions of a foreign country like the USA. If she was at a Canadian citizenship ceremony she would not has heard or seen any pledge to the Canadian constitution take place. No Canadian would expect the average Norwegian to know about Canada's citizenship ceremony and becoming a Canadian, but a Member of Parliament, a leader of a political party, and someone that has actually been to a Canadian citizenship ceremony in person you would think knows there's a difference and wouldn't apply a foreign country's tradition to Canada. Even after Solberg admitted there is a difference, no correction to the mistake in Erna Solberg's comments have ever been made to the VG story, or an apology issued. It's no wonder Norwegians so often think life in Canada the same as in the USA when comments like this are made, and assumptions and guessing about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture by so many in the Norwegian media only help perpetuate this type of ignorance. It's obvious Erna Solberg knows what is the USA's citizenship ceremony, but it seems she doesn't know Canada's citizenship ceremony to comment on it correctly. No correction to the story has been made.

Hegnar Online - 17 Stories

2009-06-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

This site has an almost daily report about the Canadian (in Toronto) and American (in New York) stock markets from two of the three countries in North America - Canada and the USA (Mexico is not included). But, it seems the Canadian market is often not reported on with the same equality of reporting as the American market. According to Wikipedia, the Canadian "Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX; abbreviated TSE until 2001) is the largest stock exchange in Canada, the third largest in North America and the seventh largest in the world by market capitalization. Based in Canada's largest city, Toronto, it is owned and operated by TSX Group for the trading of senior equities" The Hegnar report is basically a report about shares on the major markets in Canada and the USA, both in North America, but it often seems Canada and the Canadian markets are placed in USA. Here are some Hegnar examples:

1) For the longest time the title of the "international" report was called "De norske aksjene i USA," despite the fact that Canada, the Canadian city of Toronto, the Canadian TSX, and the shares on the Canadian TSX are not located in the USA. In fact, there was very little differentiation even made to really indicate the shares are Canadian, where in Canada's markets and being traded and valued in Canadian currency.

2) Often, when there is a USA national holiday, for some reason the Canadian markets are not reported, despite the fact the Canadian markets are in open. Why? Does Hegnar think Canada has the same holidays as the USA so the Canadian markets are not open? Or is it an attitude that since it's "little" Canada, and there are not as many companies on the TSX in Canada, as the NYSE in the USA, it's not worth doing a report? If Canadian markets and the Canadian TSX are worth reporting on when there is not a national USA holiday, then why are they not worth reporting on when there is a USA national holiday? It has taken some time, but Canada and the Canadian markets are now finally listed as a separate country (which it is) and currency amounts are now clearly defined in Canadian currency, and not in the USA's currency. This would be like the Canadian media adding Norway Oslo's exhange under Sweden or Germany's financial reports for their respective markets, and reporting Norway's NOK totals in Swedish Crowns or EUROs.

1) De norske aksjene i USA (By Marianne Løland ) 30 September 2009
http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article319537.ece
In USA? The TSX is not located in the USA! Is this story about shares in the just the USA or Canada, or both? The title says the USA, but in the story two countries are mentioned - Canada and the USA. To be correct this story should say: "De askjene i Canada og USA, or Nord-Amerika." Canada is not located in the USA as this title suggests; so why does Canada get placed under a USA heading? If this report is about the share prices and exchange activities of two seperate and independent countries in North America, as it seems to be, then would it not be correct to mention those two countries in the headline or the continent? Or should Canadian journalists write financial markets reports for Canadian companies on the Oslo and Stockholm exchange as "De canadiske aksjene i sveriges?"
2) Har bestilt rigger for milliarder - uten penger (Øystein Byberg)

http://www.hegnar.no/Finansavisen/newsdet.asp?id=219348

Here is a story about a business transaction that took place in Canada in Canadian dollars. The amount is $30 million in Canadian currency, but the journalist must have either guessed or assumed we use American money in Canada and converted the Canadian amount in his story with the wrong USD-NOK exchange rate, instead of the correct CAD-NOK exchange rate, making the amount inaccurate by 15 million Norwegian kroner. Why, when a business transaction that takes place in Canada is in Canadian currency, would a Norwegian journalist use the USD-NOK exchange rate to convert it? That would be like a Canadian journalist using the Swedish Crown or Euro exchange rate to convert Norwegian currency in a story he or she has written about for a Norwegian business transaction. After e-mailing the journalist the story was corrected to be accurate. How can even the basic information like the currency and exchange rate of Canada get mixed-up on a Norwegian business website? In any country, 15 million NOK is a lot of money. Why do so many Norwegian journalist think we use American money in Canada? We've never seen a Canadian story that writes Norway uses Swedish Crowns.
3) Aksjen har steget over 400 prosent på litt over ett år (Thomas Erling Oksum)
27 Sept. 2007
http://www.hegnar.no/hegnar/newsdet.asp?id=266239

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes the Canadian company Research in Motion is an American company. He writes: "Det er amerikanske Research In Motion (RIM) Inc. Lindgren har analysert i en rapport i dag." That is a mistake. To be correct it should say: "Det er kanadiske Research In Motion (RIM) Inc. Lindgren har analysert i en rapport i dag." The Canadian company that manufactures Blackberry - Research in Motion, is not an American company. It's Canadian technology, a Canadian company, started by Canadians, and based in the Canadian province of Ontario in central Canada. How does a Canadian company like RIM, so popular worldwide, exported to Norway, the USA, etc., from Canada get so much coverage in the Norwegian press about being American and from the USA, or its USA success, with little or no Canadian references at all? Why does it seem like so many in the Norwegian press think Blackberry is an American success story when it is a Canadian success story? When Norwegians read American or Amerika, is it Canada, Brasil, Colombia they think of first?
4) De norske i utlandet (Marianne Løland) 9 September 2007

http://www.hegnar.no/hegnar/newsdet.asp?id=267412

In this report the Norwegian journalist writes: "De norske i utlandet Slik gikk det med de norske aksjene i USA og Canada i går kveld. Artikkel av: Marianne Løland (9.10.07 07:59)" In the report the journalist reports the numbers for October 8th, 2007 trading on Canada's Toronto Stock Exchange, but how is this possible when the stock market was closed on Monday for a Canadian national holiday? They can't be Friday's totals, as there was a report on October 8th showing Friday's numbers. The Canadian stock markets where closed for Thanksgiving on October 8th, so how is it possible that her report has closing numbers for Toronto, Canada? Thanksgiving is a national holiday all across Canada. In addition she lists the closing value of Canada's currency and the USA's currency. Because of the Canadian national holiday on Monday, the Canadian dollar did not trade, yet with the Canadian dollar closing higher (which closed Friday at $1.018 US) than the USA's dollar she lists the USA currency as higher than Canada's: 5.48 for the USA's currency in NOK, versus 5.45 for the Canadian dollar. How is that possible when the Canadian currency closed higher than the USA currency on Friday, and when the Canadian dollar did not trade on Monday because of the Canadian holiday? It seems Canadian hoilidays are often not recognised or forgotten and some how TSX numbers are listed on days when the Canadian markets are closed. How is this possible? Is it possible the Norwegian media do not know Canada's national holidays and just assume Canada follows the same holidays as in the USA? What is more interesting is when there are national holidays in the USA, but none in Canada (as Canada does not follow the American holidays simple because they are not holidays in Canada, for example, Canada does not celebrate July 4th, this means nothing to Canadians) then no report is given. Even thought the Canadian markets are open, it seems they are either not worth reporting, or the journalists think it must be a holiday in Canada as well.
5) De norske i utlandet (Marianne Løland) 3 July 2007
http://www.hegnar.no/
In this report the Norwegian journalist reports the Canadian Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) market numbers from July 2nd. How is it possible when the Toronto Stock Exchange was closed on July 2nd in for a Canadian national holiday? July 1st is Canada's national day (same as Norway's 17th of May) so how can the journalist report closing numbers from yesterday when on July 2nd the markets were closed in Canada for recognition of July 1st - Canada Day / La fête du Canada holiday? That would be like reporting numbers for 17th of May when the market is closed in Norway. The Norwegian journalist's June 28th report has totals for the TSX on June 27th. The June 29th report has totals for the TSX on June 28th. The July 2nd report has totals for the TSX on June 30th, the July 3rd report has totals for the TSX on July 2nd (TSX was closed for Canada's national holiday July 1st, observed on July 2nd). The July 4th report has totals for the TSX on July 3rd. From my observations of Hegnar, they have had some difficulties in reporting about Canada in their reports. It has happened on several occasions that Canadians numbers are reported for days when the Canadian stock market is closed for national holidays. They obviously don't know the dates of Canadian holidays, and must just assume the Canadian markets are open because the USA markets are open. But what is also odd, is often when USA holidays take place there is no Canadian report at all, despite the fact the Canadian markets are open. It seems the Canadian markets are not worth reporting when the USA markets are closed, despite the fact they are open, but they are worth mentioning when the USA markets are open. Seems like a double standard, or is it becuase they assume the Canadian markets are closed when the USA markets are closed? If so, does that mean they assume we in Canada celebrate the same holidays as in the USA? In fact, there have even been stories from past years where the NOK-USD exchange rate was used to convert Canadian currency (CAD-NOK) stocks. That would be like a Canadian news report using Swedish Crowns to convert Norwegian Crown totals from Norway's stock exchange. How does it happen that reporting on Canada's stock market seems so difficult when it is a simple matter of identifying when Canadian markets are closed for Canadian holidays?
6) Grieg Seafood med ny bankfinansiering (Marianne Løland) 7 November 2007

http://www.hegnar.no/okonomi/article234596.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian province of "British Colombia." The province of British Columbia in Canada is spelt, "Columbia" not "Colombia". Colombia is a country in South America.
7) De norske utenlandsaksjene (By Øystein Byberg) 10 October 2006
http://www.hegnar.no/
In this report, the Norwegian journalist has stock market numbers for companies in Canada for Monday, October 9th, 2006. It was Canadian Thanksgiving in Canada on October 9th, and the markets were closed, so how is it possible to get numbers for the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, when the markets are closed for a Canadian national holiday? Again, the problem that happens here is that Norwegian journalists do not know the dates of Canadian holidays, but somehow Canadian stock market numbers seem to be reported on Canadian holidays. And when there are holidays in the country south of Canada - the USA, the Canadian numbers for the same same day in Canada are not reported despite the fact American holidays are not celebrated in Canada.
8) Ti fantastiske utdrikkingslag (By Stian Jacobsen) 17 June 2008

http://www.hegnar.no/reise_livsstil/article282497.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "• Skitur, med mulighet for heliskiing, i Whistler/Blackcomb, British Colombia, USA" This is wong. First, Whistler/Blackcomb are located in the country Canada, not in the USA. Second, the Canadian province of "British Colombia" as he has spelt it is wrong. It is spelt "British Columbia", not Colombia. Colombia is a country located on the continent of South America. Third, the Forbes magazine from the USA, DOES NOT write in their publication that these are American destinations, and Forbes does not write these Canadian destinations are located in the USA. This is another example of how Norwegian journalists often either either guess or assume what is Canadian is actually from the USA. In this case, they have guessed the wrong country, even though Forbes does not say they are in the USA. This is like a Canadian writer writing Oslo, or Bergen is located in Germany or Sweden. Why are there so often mistakes about Canada happen on Hegnar? Are Hegnar journalists not required to verify facts before they are printed? Or do they prefer to guess? Are writers at Hegnar assuming the USA is the only country located in North America; and that Mexico and Canada don't exsist?
9) Da kan Questerre falle 50 prosent (By Sverre Rørvik Nilsen) 19 August 2008

http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article306487.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Questerre Energy CompanyQuesterre utvikler en portefølje bestående av olje og gass-ressurser i Canada og selskapet har eiendeler i fire stater, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan og Quebec." These are not "states" as the Norwegian journalist writes, but provinces in Canada. The country of Canada does not have states, and has been using the French system of provinces since Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. The correct Norwegian word for Canadian stories - provins. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North American with states, Canada has provinces, and they differ in how they function both politically and legally. The story was corrected after contacting Hegnar.
10) Håper på positiv kontantstrøm (By Yasmin Hildrum) 19 August 2008

http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article306329.ece
There is nothing technically wrong with this story. It's just another Norwegian media example of how Canada is so often not mentioned. Unless the Norwegian reader knows that the Canadian province of British Columbia is in Canada, most will not know. This can be vague to many Norwegian readers. If a Canadian journalist wrote a story about Telemark in Norway, and just mentioned Telemark, would most Canadian readers know where that is located? Why not give Norwegians readers a clear picture and mention British Columbia, Canada. A reader-centred approach should be what most journalists should practise to best inform their readers.
11) Uventet suksess for Questerre (By Odd Steinar Parr) 19 December 2008
http://www.hegnar.no/bors/energi/article350315.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Beaver River-feltet i British Colombia". This is wrong. The Canadian province of British Columbia in Canada is spelt "British Columbia", not "British Columbia". The story has not been corrected.
12) De norske aksjene i USA (By Marianne Løland) 18 December 2008
http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article350054.ece
In this story from the markets in Canada it states "De norske aksjene i USA" and "Slik gikk det med de norske aksjene i USA i går kveld." What about Canada?? First, Canada and the TSX are not in the USA, and second, where is ther information or comment for the Canadian numbers? On 17 of December the TSX had a computer glitch that halted trading on Canada's main market for the day, so no trades were made, and the market was stopped. But, is that not seen by Hegnar as not even mentioning to Hegnar readers?
13) Telegigant går konkurs (By Stian Jacobsen) 14 January 2009
http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article353877.ece
In this story the journalist writes: "Amerikanske Nortel Networks ventes å søke konkursbeskyttelse i løpet av dagen." This is not correct. Nortel Networks is a Canadian company, not an American company. It's from Canada, not the USA. After e-mailng the writer the story was changed to say: "Nortel Networks ventes å søke konkursbeskyttelse i løpet av dagen." Seems it's okay to write that it's American, but not okay to correct it to say it's Canadian.

14) Questerre finner gass (By teoksum@hegnar.no) 1 October 2007
http://www.hegnar.no/bors/energi/article67048.ece?service=print
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Kanadiske Questerre Energy Corporation melder om funn av gass ved alle de fem brønnene som er boret i Vulcan-området, sør i delstaten Alberta." This is not correct, Alberta is a province in Canada, not a state. Canada does not have states, and has been using provinces for 346 years, since 1663. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states.

15) Slik gikk de norske aksjene i Canada (Marius B. Haugen) 6 July 2009

http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article382589.ece

In this story about the TSX shares in the Canadian markets, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Aksjemarkedet i USA var stengt fredag. Her er oversikten over de norske aksjene i Canada. Her er oversikten over hvordan de norske aksjene i Canada sluttet fredag, sammenlignet med Oslo Børs." The story is about Canadian shares for the Friday in Canada, mentions how the markets are closed in the USA for the American holiday, but the flag is the wrong flag. The flag shown is the USA's flag, not Canada's flag. Why does this report about the Canadian markets open, and USA's markets closed (like for example, Sweden and Norway's markets) seem to dump Canada under the USA's flag? It's not Canada's flag, and doesn't represent the Canadian people. If the story is mostly about Canada and the Canadian market, should a Canadian flag not be listed?

16) Dette vil påvirke Oslo Børs tirsdag (Marius B. Haugen ) 7 July 2009

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes:

"USA, Asia og Europa [as the heading]

Det ble en flat dag på Wall Street. S&P og Dow Jones-indeksen steg rundt en halv prosent, mens Nasdaq falt tilsvarende tilbake. Olje (XOI) og oljeserviceindeksen (OSX) falt henholdsvis -1,45 og -1,33 prosent mandag. Av de norske aksjene i USA og Canada utmerket Frontline og Crew Gold seg på den positive siden." Canada in the USA?? Canada is mentioned in the story, and Canada is not located in the USA! To be correct is should say:
"Nord-Amerika, Asia og Europa

17) Frontline steg markert i USA (Marius B. Haugen) 7 July 2009

http://www.hegnar.no/bors/article382751.ece

"Slik gikk det med de norske aksjene i USA og Canada. Frontline og Crew Gold var blant aksjene som utmerket seg på den positive siden i USA og Canada, sammenlignet med Oslo Børs mandag. Her er oversikten."

Dagbladet - 16 Stories

2009-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

1) Ned 8 kilo på «Super Size Me»-diett (Diana Badi) 2 March 2005

http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2005/03/02/425013.html

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about a Canadian teacher that ate at McDonald's for 30 days and lost weight (copying the idea from the U.S. movie Super Size Me). In her story she writes: "Ifølge CBS News" reports on this story. This is not correct. To be correct, it should say, "Ifølge CBC News." The American Colombia Broadcasting System (CBS) is a foreign news media outlet from the USA, not from the country of Canada. The story she is reporting on is from Canada, is about a Canadian teacher, and is actually taken from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in Canada, not CBS in the USA. Norway has NRK, Britain has the BBC, Australia has the ABC, Canada has the CBC. Even after the Norwegian journalist reports on a Canadian story from a Canadian news source (CBC News) in her story she writes "Ifølge CBS News." How does it happen that a Canadian story quoted from a Canadian news source ends up being changed as quoted from an American news media source? Did she just assume we have CBS in Canada thinking Canada is part of the USA, or it must all be all the same here in North America? After emailing the Norwegian journalist she corrected the mistake in the story and wrote CBC News.

2) Spiller seg «fra gård og grunn» (HANS OLAV FEKJÆR

http://www.dagbladet.no/tekstarkiv/artikkel.phpid=5001000052465&tag=item&words=delstatene%3Bi%3BCanada%3Bog%3BAustralia
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "...er i alle delstatene i Canada og Australia og i mange delstater i USA. Behandling blir oftest finansiert ved avgift på spillene." This is not correct about Canada. The geographic and political divisions internally in Canada are called provinces and have been called provinces in Canada for 346 years, since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. The Norwegian word for province is "provins." In Canada, like China, Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan (and many other countries), the country is divided internally by ten provinces. There have never been states in Canada and this of course is a political division many Norwegian journalists just guess or assume must be used in Canada. But since Canada has never had states, why would the journalist would use the wrong term to describe a province in Canada? What is also clear from other Norwegian media reporting is that Norwegian journalists never seem to refer to the provinces in China, France, Afghanistan, (and other countries with provinces) as states. This habit of many Norwegian journalists seems to happen with just Canada for some reason? Is it because of ignorance, or just assuming that it must be the same for Canada because the other two countries in North America - Mexico and the USA have states? After e-mailing the Norwegian journalist about the mistake, a reply was never received and there has not been any correction to the mistake.
3) Menn er smartere enn kvinner (DIANA BADI) 13 Sept. 2006
http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2006/09/13/476633.html
In this story the journalist writes: "SAT er en nasjonal prøve som gjennomføres i slutten av den videregående opplæringen både i USA og Canada." This is not correct about universities in Canada, this is the USA's university experience, not Canada's. Universities in Canada do not require SAT tests for admission. Why would this journalist include Canada in with the USA school experience when this is not the case? Is this just a guess or assumption because Canada happens to be loctaed beside the USA in North America? Canada and the USA are two totally separate countries with different legal, political, linguistic, educational systems, and histories. The education system in Canada is Canadian, so why just guess or assume we do the same as in the USA? The university system in Canada is very different from the university system in the USA as well. If the journalist knew the difference, verified the facts, or at least just didn't guess, she would have not included Canada in with the USA in this story. Is it really so hard for so many Norwegian journalists to accept Canada is a different country? Here are some details that help to clarify the difference between the two countries. The following is taken from a Canadian website (Campus Access) for Canadians wanting to study in the USA:
"Comparing Canadian and US School Systems:
The most significant difference between American and Canadian schools is their ownership. Virtually all Canadian universities are public institutions; there exist a large number of private schools in the US. Almost all American schools that are religiously affiliated are also private. In terms of the application process, Canadian universities are generally thought to place a greater emphasis on your academic record - they don't request personal statements and they don't hold interviews, so your grades are the primary factor upon which they base their decisions. Scholarships are also typically awarded on the basis of academic success, and there are far fewer opportunities for financial aid in Canada. Athletes are not awarded the same status in Canada, either, and athletic scholarships do not exist at most Canadian institutions. Applications for schools in Canada are usually due much later than American applications, and admissions decisions are delivered much later consequently. There is also a major difference in the general mythology surrounding American and Canadian schools. It's true, though, that our pictures of these two cultures are formed largely through stereotypes which are not accurate reflections of many, if any, schools. Try not to base your vision of US college life on all the movies you've watched as a teenager. We'll go over this later, but this part of the reason why it is so important for you to try and visit the schools in which you are interested. For example, when we think of the typical social life at American schools, one of the first things that comes to mind is the fraternity and sorority scene - something which is largely absent from Canadian college and university life."These questions are taken from a U.S. website where non-Americans can ask questions about going to the USA to study:"Kate: I am the mum of a grade 12 daughter in a Canadian High School... you do need to take SATS. Try a local independent school if you are having trouble finding them given in your area- or search the www.collegeboard.com website for locations. If you are in a public school you need to know your counsellor may not be up-to-speed on the intricacies of applying to the States. Universities in the States look at much more than your academic averages, you must present fully all your extra-curricular activities. They also grade differently. I don't know what province you are in, but in BC, the 86-100 scale for an A is very comparable to the 93-100 A earned in the States, but it sounds easier to Americans. Your counsellor needs to explain this in his/her letter."Hope that helps! By George Iwama on Sunday, June 16, 2002 - 10:32 pm.
Where can I take the SATs in Atlantic Canada? GeorgeBy jessann on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 11:22 pm: Edit Hello I am Jessann from Ontario Canada, and in grade ten. I am 100% sure that I want to apply to an American college. I know that to even start to apply you have to take the SAT's and maybe even the ACT's. I have questions about that:-How can I take them in Canada?-Where can I take them?-Don't I need to know stuff about USA to take it?-Are there certain classes I have to take to complete it?-Can I take it twice?If these questions and maybe even more could be answered it would be greatly appreciated." The story has now been corrected.
4) Norsk ammunisjon går som ei kule (HARALD S. KLUNGTVEIT ) 3 April 2006
http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2006/04/03/462690.html
In this story there are two mistakes. First, it states: "I filmen blir salget av ammunisjon til USA, Australia og Canada knyttettil disse landenes krigføring i Irak." That is not correct. The gouvernement du Canada / Government of Canada did not send Canadian troops to Iraq. Taken from Radio-Canada / Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) 18 March 2003: "[Canadian Prime Minister] Chrétien said without the backing of the United Nations, Canada can't go along with any war initiative. 'If military action proceeds without a new resolution of the Security Council, Canada will not participate,' the prime minister said." In the second mistake the journalist writes: "Hele 60 prosent av Nammos omsetning på over 1,64 milliarder kroner skjer nå utenfor Skandinavia. 27 prosent er eksport til USA, mens også land som Singapore, Malaysia, Japan og Australia nyter godt av ammunisjon fra det norske konsernet. Utenlandsandelen har økt kraftig de siste årene." Actually the 27% of exports to the USA is wrong. The 27% the journalist writes is not just for the USA, but is actually the export totals for two countries - Canada and the USA. The USA was 426.8 MNOK, and Canada only a mere 9.8 MNOK. Why would the Norwegian journalist write 27% of exports go to just the USA when the NAMMO report indicates the 27% is for two countries - Canada and the USA? How does a story get published about Canada sending troops to Iraq when the Canadian Government did not send Canada's troops to Iraq? Is it guessing or assuming? The story has been corrected to remove the mistake about Canada sending troops, but the export reference still includes the mistake.

5) Har møtt Jesus (Author unknown) 22 September 2004
http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2004/09/22/409035.html
In this story two Canadian cultural icons are mentioned - Cirque du Soleil and Pamela Anderson. The story states: "franske teatertruppen Cirque de Soleil, skriver svenske Aftonbladet." The mistake here is that Cirque du Soleil (as it is correctly spelt, not "de" as in the Dagbladet and Aftonbladet stories) is Canadian. Cirque comes from the province du Québec in Canada. In Canada there are Canadians that are French speaking, and Canadians that are English speaking, and both languages are official in Canada. Cirque du Soleil comes from the French speaking part of Canada, and French speaking Canadians are almost double Norway's population, yet somehow this Canadian theatre troop gets referred to as being French. The correct term is Canadian or French-Canadian. An e-mail was sent to Dagbladet to correct the mistake, but a correction, nor a reply was ever received.

6) Sydney er verdens beste by (By HALVOR H. BYFUGLIEN) 25 October 2006
http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2006/10/25/480856.html

In this story the Norwegian journalists writes: "I Amerika for øvrig kommer Vancouver, Buenos Aires og San Miguel de Allende i Mexico best ut. Rio de Janeiro må ta til takke med en 10. plass." There are some confusing points to this statement. First, Vancouver, Buenos Aires, and San Miguel de Allende are not located in America, they are located in the "Americas" as the original Condé Nast Traveler article states. The reality is that, when using the word America in singular, to a Canadian, Briton, Norwegians, Americans, and most people in the world you are making reference to the USA, and the USA is pretty much the country that comes to mind when hearing the word. How many Norwegians or Britons, or Canadians think Canada or Peru or Brasil automatically when they hear "Amerika?" And how many Norwegians tell their friends they are "going to Amerika" when refering to a trip to Brasil, Bolivia, or Argentina? The British, Canadians, and most other countries refer to the two continents on this side of the Atlantic as either the "Americas" or "North America" and "South America" for a more detailed description. The two continents on this side of the Atlantic are huge, so writing "Amerika" is vague at best. Especially when Norwegians seem use this word all the time to refer to just the USA, and differentiate "America" from "South America," and oddly don't use the term enough for "North America." For example, when the U.S. President stands up and states "God Bless America" he's not asking God to bless all 42 odd countries on the two continents on this side of the Atlantic, he is specifically asking to bless the USA. In addition, which North America city of Vancouver does the Norwegian journalist mean? There are two cities called Vancouver on the west coast of North America, one in Canada, and the other in the USA. Here is the breakdown from the CNT story:"UNITED STATES
AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST
ASIA
AMERICAS
EUROPE
PACIFIC RIM
1.Vancouver (Canada) 82.22.Buenos Aires 80.03.San Miguel de Allende 79.83.Victoria, B.C. (Canada) 79.85.Quebec City (Canada) 79.36.Oaxaca, Mexico 76.37.Cuzco, Peru 75.78.Montreal (Canada) 74.69.Toronto (Canada) 70.310.Rio de Janeiro 69.4
Note, Canadian cities make up 50% of the cities ranked on the two continents on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, yet little recognition in the Norwegian story.

7) Vil gi Nobelpris til Dylan og Cohen (EIVIND KRISTENSEN) 10 Dec. 2006
http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2006/12/10/485595.html
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes that Canadian Leonard Cohen is from the USA. That is wrong. Leonard Cohen is Canadian, from the Canadian city of Montreal, the second largest city in Canada, and the second largest French speaking city in the world after Paris. Did this journalist just assume or guess he is American? After several e-mails to the Norwegian journalist a reply has never been received, and after even more time the mistake was corrected. But again, a reply was never received from the journalist regarding the mistake. It's unbelievable that getting simple recognition of such a famous Canadian to be recognised from Canada, and not the USA, takes some work and effort to be correctly recognised.

8) Sammen er vi kaos (By JAN OMDAHL) 14 May 2007
http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2007/05/13/500544.html#comments

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det var krise i det amerikanske gruveselskapet Goldcorp Inc. Selskapets femti år gamle gullgruve i Red Lake, Ontario, produserte ikke nok gull." That is wrong. Goldcorp is a Canadian company, not American. And Red Lake, Ontario is located in Canada. Ontario is a province located in central Canada. How is it that company gets identified as being American when it's Canadian? If this was a story about a Colombian or Brasilian company, would it been identified as American? Is it guessing or assuming? Are facts not checked before they go to print? How is it in the Norwegian media that even with the facts presented clearly that Canadians, Canadian companies are often reported as American, or identified as being in the USA?

9) Schwarzenegger mot Bush (By Jon Birger Skjærseth) 25 June 2007
http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2007/06/25/504412.html

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Nylig var han i Canada for å undertegne avtaler med statene Ontario og Britisk Colombia om strengere utslippskrav fra biler." The Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia are provinces, not states as the journalist writes. As well, British Columbia is spelt "British Columbia" not "Colombia." After a few e-mails, the author writes back to say: "this mistake was made by me - I am deeply sorry for that. Thanks for letting me know, it will not happen again. Best wishes, Jon Birger Skjærseth." A very nice reply about the mistake in the story, but both Dagbladet and the author were unwilling to correct the error. They recognise there is a mistake, but are not willing to correct it.

10) Lofoten på pallen i stor øykåring (HALVOR H. BYFUGLIEN OG TORA MORSET)

31 October 2007
http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2007/10/30/516699.html
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "69. Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands, USA." This is a mistake. Salt Spring Island and the Gulf Islands are located in Canada, not in the USA. The original American publication National Geographic correctly locates them in the Canadian province of British Columbia, but for some reason the Norwegian journalists either assumes or guesses British Columbia must be in the USA. This is an excellent example of how many in the Norwegian press just assume of guess about Canadian geography and take the liberty to locate Canadian islands, cities, etc. in the USA, even when the original story they are quoting from does not locate these Canadian places in the USA. Why so many assumptions and guesses about Canadian facts in the Norwegian press? After e-mailing the journalists an apology and correction was promptly made.

11) Skulle gjenforenes med mamma - drept av strømpistol (EILIV FRICH FLYDAL)

15 November 2007

http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2007/11/15/518353.html

In this very tragic Canadian story there are a couple of mistakes. The Norwegian reporter writes: "Det mest foruroligende var at én av politifolkene bruker kneet og beinet til å holde hodet hans på gulvet, sier mannen som filmet hendelsen, Paul Pritchard til CNN." This is wrong. In the American CNN story, Canadian Paul Pritchard said this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), not CNN. The CNN story the Norwegian reporter quotes this from even states Paul Pritchard said these comments to the CBC. The Norwegian reporter has changed it to make it look like Paul Pritchard made these comments to CNN, not the CBC. It clearly states in the American CNN story - "Probably the most disturbing part is one of the officers uses his leg and his knee to pin his neck and his head to the ground," Pritchard told CBC News." Why is this Canadian fact change by the Norwegian reporter; from a Canadian news agency to an American news agency, even when CNN does not do this? Secondly: "Den avdødes mor sier til CBS at strømpistolene må avskaffes. - De må gjøre noe, fordi dette dreper, den dreper mennesker, sier Cisowski." She did not say this to CBS in the USA, she said this to the CBC in Canada. How can she have said this when CBS is a foreign news service from the USA and she is in Canada? As well, the CNN story clearly says she states this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In both these quotes the Norwegian journalist changes the Canadian CBC news agency to American CNN news agencies. From CNN: "The dead man's mother, Zofia Cisowski, told CBC News that Tasers should not be used by police" and "They should do something because that is a killer, a people killer." Does this journalist think the Canadian CBC is actually the American CBS and CNN? Even when the Americans use the correct Canadian reference, the Norwegian journalist has changed them to American references. See story #1 above for similar.

12) Portrettet - Stemmen fra dypet (By ALF MARIUS OPSAHL) 22 January 2008
http://www.dagbladet.no/magasinet/2008/01/21/524473.html

In this story about Canadian musician Joni Mitchell the Norwegian journalist writes: "Født: 7. november 1943 i Macleod, Alberta, Canada." The name of the town she was born in is "Fort Macleod" not "Macleod" as the journalist writes.

13) Religiøse ord gjør oss generøse (VIVIAN SONGE) 30 July 2007

http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2007/07/30/507510.html

In this story the Canadian province of "British Colombia" is spelt wrong. The name of the Canadian province is "British Columbia" with a "u" not an "o." Colombia is a country located on the continent of South America.

14) Spiller seg «fra gård og grunn» (By HANS OLAV FEKJÆR) 16 September 2000

http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2000/09/16/219419.html

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Etter hvert får vi trolig behandlingstilbud i alle fylker, slik det bl.a. er i alle delstatene i Canada og Australia og i mange delstater i USA. Behandling blir oftest finansiert ved avgift på spillene." This is not correct. Canada doe snot have states, and has never had states. Canada has been using provinces for 346 years since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states. To be correct the story should say: "Etter hvert får vi trolig behandlingstilbud i alle fylker, slik det bl.a. er i alle provisene i Canada og Australia og i mange delstater i USA. Behandling blir oftest finansiert ved avgift på spillene."

15) Han vil lære deg å få alt du vil ha (MARIE L. KLEVE) 1 December 2008

http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/12/01/556259.html

In this story about Canadian author the Norwegian journalist writes: "(Dagbladet.no): Amerikanske Michael Losier har solgt i bøtter og spann av boka «Loven om tiltrekning» i USA og Canada, og nå klatrer den inn på boklista i Norge også." Michael Losier is Canadian and from Canada, not American as the journalist writes. All his initial success was in his home country of Canada in 2004, and his book has already been a Canadian best seller since 2004, and not distributed in the USA until 2006. To be correct the story should read: "(Dagbladet.no): Canadiske Michael Losier har solgt i bøtter og spann av boka «Loven om tiltrekning» i Canada, og nå klatrer den inn på boklista i Norge også." or "Canadiske Michael Losier har solgt i bøtter og spann av boka «Loven om tiltrekning» i Nord-Amerika, og nå klatrer den inn på boklista i Norge også." This story is an excellent example of how many in the Norwegian press either guess or assume tha nationality of Canadians is American, and even when they are very successful in their home country of Canada first, those details are not mentioned. It does not say on his official website he is American, and it in fact, it says he lives in Canada. Despite the fact he has been a Canadian Bestseller since 2004, all that gets mentioned is his success in the USA. (From his website: "September 2006, Victoria BC - Canadian best selling book hits US bookstores with four new chapters For avid fans of the Law of Attraction, Michael Losier needs no introduction. Losier's presence on the international self-help scene has catapulted since he officially began teaching the Law of Attraction via teleclasses in 1995. Now, almost a dozen years later, he has amassed a following of tens of thousands, has delivered countless live seminars and teleclasses, has seen his book become a Canadian national best seller (2004) and has justreleased a new edition with four new chapters. The latest book is now being circulated in US bookstores for the first time)." What this journalist has written would be like a Canadian journalist writing about a successful Norwegian author and writing he or she is German; from Germany and all about his or her success in Germany. Why would a Canadian identify a Norwegian author from Germany and his or her success in Germany and not from Norway? So why would a Norwegian journalist identify a Canadian from the USA, and his success in the USA? Do Norwegian journalists just guess or assume everything from the North America side of the Atlantic is from the USA.

16) Ekskona til Johan Olav Koss vil ta over Opel (ASBJØRN SVARSTAD) 27 May 2009

http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/05/27/nyheter/tyskland/utenriks/finanskrise/bilindustrien/6397447/#comments_container

In this story about Canadian Belinda Stronach and the Canadian-Austrian company Magna International, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Men nå er plutselig både italienske Fiat og det østerrisk-amerikanske Magna International kommet på banen." This is wrong. Magna International is a Canadian-Austrian company, not Austrian-American as the Norwegian journalist writes. To be correct, it should say: "Men nå er plutselig både italienske Fiat og det østerrisk-canadiske Magna International kommet på banen." Frank Stronach immigrated to Canada in 1957, and became a success in Canada. His daughter, Belinda, was a Member of Parliament (M.P.) in the Canadian national parliament in Ottawa. The company is headquartered and based in the province of Ontario, in Canada, not in the USA. Belinda is Canadian, and the Norwegian Johan Olav Koss, her ex-husband, lives in Canada with his foundation Right to Play based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. How is it that withall this Canadian content, there's so little reference to Canada, and the company they built into such a success in Canada, is written as being from the wrong country - the USA? Why do so many Norwegian journalists think that everything on the Canadian side of the Atlantic must be from the USA? After five e-mails to DB, a reply has never been received, nor a correction to the mistake. How come just the Norwegian media has reported this Canadian company as American, when CBC, CTV, BBC, France, CNN, CBS, ABC has all refered to the company as Canadian?

KK.no - 12 Stories

2009-06-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

The website KK.no is an excellent example of how Canadian information and Canadians studies are often quoted in the Norwegian media. In the case of the first 11 below mentioned stories, just a single story makes reference to Canada or Canadians at all. The first story guesses a Canadian researcher is American, just because she is quoted in an American newspaper. The remaining stories all quote from Canadian universities, but not a single reference of credit is given to the research or universities being Canadian or in Canada. How many Norwegian readers will know where the University of Alberta is located? Or the University of Toronto? Would it not be of benefit to Norwegian readers to at least give the reader some context as to the country from where the research is coming? if a Canadian journalist writes stories about research from the University of Tromsø and never mentions Norway or Norwegians, will that not be somewhat vague to Canadian readers? Will most Canadians readers automatically know where Tromsø is located? Doesn't context matter?But, why when there are stories of research from the U.K., Australia, or the USA is there a greater chance these countries will be acknowledged for their work than Canada or Canadians? Why does it seem that some in the Norwegian media automatically assume that everything worth reporting about from North America is automatically from the USA? Mexico and Canada are also in North America, not just the USA. Wouldn't this be like a Canadian journalist just automatically assuming everything coming from Scandinavia must be Swedish, and completely overlook the Norwegian and Danish contributions?
1) Dette tenner kvinner (Madeleine Ferre) 27 February 2009
http://www.kk.no/806203/dette-tenner-kvinner
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Hva tenner en kvinne? Det nytter i alle fall ikke å spørre henne, ifølge en amerikansk psykologiprofessor som har forsket på dette i flere år." This is not correct. Dr. Meredith Chivers is Canadian, not American as the journalist writes. To be correct this story should say: "Det nytter i alle fall ikke å spørre henne, ifølge en kanadisk psykologiprofessor som har forsket på dette i flere år." The New York Times story her story is quoted from is an American paper, but the American paper correctly identifies the Canadian city of Kingston, and the Canadian province of Ontario where she is from; and the American story does not state she is an American. This has been added in by either a guess or an assumption from the Norwegian journalist that she must be an American. This story is an excellent example of how many Norwegian journalists just take the liberty and guess or assume Canadians quoted in American news stories must be Americans, even though the American newspapers do not identify the Canadian as an American. If a Canadian news story writes about a Norwegian professor from Bergen or Oslo in a Swedish newspaper, should the Canadian journalists just guess or assume he or she is Swedish or German and not bother to confirm the Norwegian's nationality? Or do Norwegian not care about having the Germans or Swedes given credit for Norwegian work? Being quoted in an American newspaper doesn't make someone automatically an American.
2) Nakne menn tenner oss ikke
http://www.kk.no/776076/nakne-menn-tenner-oss-ikke
In this story done at the University of Toronto in Canada, there is no mention to Canada or Canadians that have done the work, just a reference to the story being in the New York Times. Either it's assumed or guessed the study is from the USA, and not Canada, or the Canadian part is not important? Or it's too difficult for many Norwegian journalists to identify Canadian cities being in Canada?
3) Dette gjør deg 12 år yngre
http://www.kk.no/519681/dette-gjor-deg-12-aar-yngre
In this story the journalist refers to this Canadian study as an American study. This is wrong and is either a guess or an assumption. This study is actually a Canadian study done at the University of Toronto, and quotes the professor from the Canadian University of Toronto. Why do some many Norwegian journalist give the Americans credit for Canadian research?
4) Han vil ha deg blek
http://www.kk.no/515454/han-vil-ha-deg-blek
5) Disse blir mest gravide
http://www.kk.no/798360/disse-blir-mest-gravide
6) Tynn ved tankekraft
http://www.kk.no/390270/tynn-ved-tankekraft
7) Vi har kjendissex i søvne
http://www.kk.no/385904/vi-har-kjendissex-i-sovne
8) Bryt uvanene!
http://www.kk.no/797028/bryt-uvanene
9) Derfor lever du usunt
http://www.kk.no/524684/derfor-lever-du-usunt
10) Slik kan du spise deg glup
http://www.kk.no/520525/slik-kan-du-spise-deg-glup
11) Valpefett gjør lykkelig
http://www.kk.no/499269/valpefett-gjor-lykkelig
12) Eldre menn er ut

http://www.kk.no/783587/eldre-menn-er-ut

Digi.no - 10 Stories

2009-06-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

1) Hevder de har patent på PC-batterier (Einar Ryvarden) 8 March 2007
http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=372401

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "For eksempel ble amerikanske Rim som lager Blackberry-mobilene presset til å betale flere hundre millioner dollar til en helt ukjent aktør." First, the inventors of Blackberry are Canadian. It's a Canadian company based in the Canadian city of Waterloo, in the Canadian province of Ontario, in Canada. Second, the amount quoted is not correct: "flere hundre million dollar". How is it that the wrong country and the wrong nationality is used to identify this Canadian product and company? In asking the Norwegian journalist if he could provide his source that identifies Canada's RIM as American, he replied: "We use Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters..." In checking these sources, none identify RIM as being American. In pointing this out to the journalist and asking why he identified the Canadian company as American, a reply has not been received after six different attempts to provide his source of information. Why would a Norwegian journalist identify a Canadian company as American, and say his source of information (Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters) stated it, yet when verified it does not? Why do so many Norwegian journalists guess or assume Blackberry is American?
2) Blackberry-problem bremset hele USA i går (By Einar Ryvarden) 19 April 2007

http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=377429

In this story there are two mistakes. First, the Norwegian journalist writes the blackout took place in the USA, that is not correct. It took place in all of North America as stated in the Reuters story. So the problem would have affected all North America users, not just users in the USA. The problem that caused the blackout took place at RIM's headquaters in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, not even in the USA. Naturally because the problem took place in Canada, this would affect Canadian users as well. Second, the Norwegian journalist writes that Blackberry has 8 million users in the USA, that is not correct. The Norwegian journalist writes: "Åtte millioner Blackberry-eier over hele USA". The Reuters story does not mention 8 million users are in the USA, this has been changed by the journalist to say the USA. The Reuters story states that Blackberry has 8 million users world-wide. In this story these two Reuters comments are not reported correctly in the Norwegian story. How does the details of a Reuters story get changed to look just American in this Norwegian story? One of the main problems of many Norwegian journalists is the sloppy and lazy habits when covering Canada, Canadians, and Canadian stories.
3) Vil bli rik på Blackberry i Norge (Ann Kristin Bentzen Ernes) 26 April 2007

http://www.digi.no/bedriftsteknologi/vil+bli+rik+på+blackberry+i+norge/art378513.html

This story is an excellent example of how even one of Canada's most famous and successful companies does not receive the proper credit it deserves by many in the Norwegian press. In fact, this is an excellent example of how any references to this company being Canadian or the Canadian sales of Blackberry is not worth mentioning, with the bulk of the story made to look just American. For example, one part of the story states: "Blackberry har lenge ledet an i en rekke av de store internasjonale markedene. Ved å levere sikker e-post-teknologi til mobil har Blackberry sikret seg 6,5 millioner brukere i USA, Sør-Amerika, Asia og Europa. " What about Canada, the country it comes from and started in?? The journalist takes the time to mention the sales in the USA, South America, Asia, and Europe, but not even in the company's homeland - Canada. Not once in the entire story is this Canadian company or the Canadian Blackberry product mentioned as being Canadian or from Canada. Not once is Canada mention in the information regarding the 6.5 million sales, even though Blackberry comes from Canada and was the first country Blackberry was sold in. All the mentions are of the success of Blackberry in the USA, and now the growth in Norway. From any Norwegian reading this story one would think that Blackberry is American, and the success of the sales in the USA are the only thing important to Norwegians. The sad reality for Canadians and Canada by much of the Norwegian media is even when it is Canada content it is more likely this will never be mentioned in many Norwegian press stories about Canada. Of course it's great the product is successful outside of Canada, but why would Canada not receive at least a mention of its home country? If it was a USA, Australian or British company or product the chances are much higher that would be mentioned. Why does Canada and Canadian stories receive so often receive such discriminatory treatment in the Norwegian press? Is it so difficult for many Norwegian journalists to conceive that other countries in North America (like Mexico and Canada) can make and sell products around the world, and not just the USA? Is it not possible for the Norwegian press to write a story about Canada or Canadians without trying to make us look American or always in comparison to the USA? If Norwegians don't like the constant references to being Swedish or German, then why would should Canadians accept the same treatment from the Norwegian press? In the story above, the journalist didn't even know the company was Canadian and either just assumed or guessed it was American. Is this professional journalism? If he knew it was Canadian why would have written Canadian RIM was American? This is like a Canadian journalist writing Norway's Statoil or Telenor is from Sweden or Germany. Shouldn't journalists verify their facts before the go to print?
4) Telenor sponser Outlook på mobilen (By Einar Ryvarden) 21 February 2006http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=292536

In this story the Norwegian journalist incorrectly identifies Canada's Blackberry as American: He writes: "Blant annet er HP klar med den svært avanserte smartmobilen iPaq hw6900 som ser ut som de amerikanske Blackberry-enhetene der man kan taste med to tomler. HW6900 har WLAN, men mangler 3G." That is wrong. He has either guessed or assumed it is American, because if he knew it was Canadian then why would he write it is American? The Canadian inventors of the Blackberry - Research in Motion is headquartered in the Canadian city of Waterloo, in the Canadian province of Waterloo, in Canada. Many Norwegians are now using Canadian Blackberries, yet many in the Norwegian media still seem to think the product comes from the the USA.
5) Brenner for sine nettstudenter (Ann Kristin Bentzen Ernes) 5 September 2008

http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=785283In this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian Centre for Distance Education at the Canadian Athabasca University. In the story she writes: "...er tilknyttet Center for Distance Education ved Athabasca University i Canada." This is wrong; it is spelt: "Centre for Distance Education", not Center as spelt in the story. The Canadian spelling is centre not the American spelling center. The Canadian university's website confirms this spelling at: http://cde.athabascau.ca/. This is like a Canadian journalist using Swedish spellings for Norwegian institutions. Would that be acceptable to to Norwegians? The story was corrected.
6) iPhone er nå større enn Sony Ericsson (By Marius Jørgenrud) 22 October 2008

http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=791319

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes "Tallene viser dessuten at Apple har gått forbi den amerikanske erkerivalen Research in Motion, som i siste kvartal solgte 6,1 millioner enheter av merket Blackberry." This is a mistake. The Canadian company Research in Motion (RIM) is from Ontario, in Canada, and is not American.
7) Nokia forsinket med flere mobiler (Author unknown) 4 April 2006
http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=298622
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "...som amerikanske Blackberry RIM-eiere har hatt i flere år. Nokia skulle ha lansert E61 og musikkmobilen N91, men har måttet utsette lanseringen for å gjøre mer testing, forteller selskapet i en pressemelding." This is not correct. Blackberry is a Canadian, not American as the journalist writes. To be correct the story should say: "kanadiske Blackberry." Why give the Americans credit for a Canadian telephone?
8) Siemens lanserer ny supertelefon (Einar Ryvarden) 2 August 2004
http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=107343
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Siemens lanserte i dag en ny supermobil med det amerikanske BlackBerry-systemet." This is not correct. Blackberry is a Canadian telephone from the Canadian province of Ontario in Canada. After notifying the journalist he changes to the story to: "Siemens lanserte i dag en ny supermobil med BlackBerry-systemet." This story is an excellent example of how if it's American it's worth mentioning, but why when the error is pointed about and in fact Blackberry is correctly identified as Canadian it is not worth mentioning Canadian in the correction? It seems many Norwegian journalists have a definite double standard in giving credit to Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture in many of their stories. It seems it is easier for Norwegian journalists to assume or guess and give the Americans credit for what is Canadian. In comparison, this would be like Canadian journalists constantly giving Germany or Sweden credit for what is Norwegian. Is it so hard for some Norwegians to recognise that not everything from this side of the Atlantic is from the USA?
9) Nokia forsinket med flere mobiler (Author unknown) 4 April 2006
http://www.digi.no/php/art.php?id=298622
In this story Digi writes: "amerikanske Blackberry RIM-eiere har hatt i flere år." This is not correct. Blackberry is Canadian, not American. A correction has never been made.
10) Fly-bredbånd tar av i år (Harald Brombach) 5 July, 2010
http://www.digi.no/846331/fly-bredbaand-tar-av-i-aar
In this story the Norwegian writer states: ""Aircell er for tiden den ledende leverandøren av bredbåndstjenester for fly. Selskapet leverer tjenester til mer enn 950 amerikanske fly som eies av blant annet Air Canada, Air Tran, Alaska Airways, American Airlines, Continental Airways, Delta Airways, Frontier Airways, United Airlines, US Airways og Virgin America. En oversikt over priser og hvor mange klargjorte fly de enkelte selskapene hadde ved utgangen av april, finnes her." Air Canada is not an American airline, it's nationality is Canadian and comes from Canada, not from the USA. The story was later corrected.

E24.no - 8 Stories

2009-06-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

1) Gruvejubel i Canada (Sindre Heyerdahl) 28 November 2008
http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article2794528.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Amerikanserne er torsdag benket foran spisebordene med kalkun på bordet. Også investorene feirer Thanksgiving - med feriestengte børser....I lillebror Canada er imidlertid den årvisse høsttakkefesten allerede unnagjort, og børsen er oppe...For den ledende kanadiske indeksen S&P er oppgangen klokken 21.03 kommet opp i 0,5 prosent." This story is an excellent example of the mentality and treatment towards Canada and Canadians by many journalists in the Norwegian press. First, what does the USA and American Thanksgiving and the close of the USA's markets have to do with reporting about Canada's TSX markets for Thursday, 27th of November 2008? Canada is just the neighbour to the USA, not part of the USA, we don't celeberate American Thanksgiving. This would be like a Canadian journalist reporting about Oslo's markets due to a national holiday in Germany. Second, Canada is not the little brother to the USA, and to say that is insulting to Canadians, and reflects the ignorance many Norwegian journalists have about Canada and Canadians. Canada is not even part of the same family, so how can we be the little brother? Third, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) in Canada is open because Canada does not celebrate the holiday of American Thanksgiving, so of course the TSX is open, as it is a normal working day in Canada. Fourth, the name of the TSX in Canada is the S&P/TSX, not the S&P this journalist has written. The TSX has been around since 1852 and "the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX; abbreviated TSE until 2001) is the largest stock exchange in Canada, the third largest in North America and the seventh largest in the world by market capitalization. Based in Canada's largest city, Toronto, it is owned and operated by TSX Group for the trading of senior equities. A broad range of businesses from Canada, the United States, Europe, and other countries are represented on the exchange."(Source: Wikipedia). The TSX in Canada has a very noble history in Canada. It's true, Canada may not be a superpower like the USA, but as a G-8 nation (with a population of 33 million Canadians) an economy of $1,723,302 Canadian dollars in 2007 (larger than Norway, India, Russia and many others) Canada does deserve a more respectful attitude by this author and many others in the Norwegian press that seem to think Canada is some miniscule little country in North America, and not worth mentioning. It is absolutely sad that most Norwegian journalists can't write a story about the country of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture for what it is - Canadian, without having to compare the country to the USA. This would be like a Canadian journalist never being able to write a story about Norway without constantly comparing Norway to Germany or Sweden. And for the record, Thanksgiving in North America was celebrated first in Canada some 43 years before the holiday was first celebrated in the USA, and its origins in Canada are a different holiday than what takes place in the USA; hence the reason it is celebrated in October in Canada.
2) Spår større rederier (By GRETE DE LANGE) 28 June 2005
http://e24.no/arkiv/article1069088.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "- I Norge snakkes det meget om at det er negativt å bli kjøpt opp. Men vi følte at vi hadde hard konkurranse fra norske investorer. Hver gang vi har gjort oppkjøp har vi betalt full pris, sier Bjørn Møller, på telefon fra hovedkvarteret i Vancouver i USA." This is wrong. The Canadian city of Vancouver is located in Canada, not in the USA. After contacting the journalist she refused to changed saying that she thought readers will know Vancouver is in Canada. If the journalist doesn't know it's in the USA, can she expect most Norwegian readers will know? And why the refusal to correct the mistake?
3) Toyota Prius en miljøversting (By Øystein Sjølie ) 17 December 2006
http://e24.no/utenriks/article1573217.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes "Fabrikken ligger i den canadiske delstaten Ontario." Ontario is a province in Canada, not a state. Canada does not have states, and uses the French system of provinces. Canada has been using provinces since Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Countries like France, China, Canada, Afghanistan all have provinces. Why would a Norwegian journalist use an American term of "state" to describe a Canadian province in Canada? Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America that have states, Canada has provinces. It is odd in the Norwegian press that coverage about provinces in countries like Afghanistan, China, and other countries never seem to be referred to as states, but with Canada there is either assumption, guessing, or both. Should the facts not be checked before printing? After writing this journalist to notify him of his error, a reply was never received.
4) Et garantert dårlig forslag (By Øystein Sjølie) 20 March 2007

http://e24.no/kommentar/e24-kommentar/article1699347.ece

In this story and the reference to the province of Alberta in Canada, the Norwegian journalist (same as in the above story) writes: "Den kanadiske delstaten Alberta startet utvinning av olje tidlig på 1970-tallet." The mistake in the story is that Alberta is a province in Canada. Canada does not have and has never had states. Canada first became a Royal Province of France in 1663, and Canadians have been using the French system of Provinces ever since. The only two countries in North America with states are Mexico and the USA. The name of the political leader of a Canadian province is called a Premier, and provinces differ from states in how they function politically and legally. Despite the fact there is a word in Norwegian for provinces called provins, the author decided (assumed or guessed?) to apply a foreign term to Canada's internal political divisions. How can someone trust what a journalist writes if even the most basic of facts are not correct? In e-mailing this journalist to point out this error, he both refused to change it and saw no need for it. It is unbelievable that a journalist would accept to not only look uniformed to readers, but not want to bother to correct his error. His explaination was "The US does not use ”delstat” either. “Delstat” is a Norwegian word, describing a political entity, which is somewhat more autonomous than the Norwegian “Fylke” but not as much as “stat”. I am aware that Canada and US have different names for their regional political entities, but I don’t see why I should use different Norwegian words." Why is there a Norwegian word for province in the Norwegian language if Norwegians are not going to use the correct word for a province?? It will be virtually impossible to find a story in the Norwegian press that refers to China or Afghanistan or other countries in the world with provinces referred to as "states" in Norwegian stories, yet for some reason in the Norwegian press Canadian provinces are often refered to as "states". Why the double standard with the country of Canada versus other countries by so many in the Norsk press? Is it ignorance of Canada? If a Norwegian journalist knows Canada is divided into provinces why whould he use the wrong Norwegian word to describe them instead of the correct Norwegian word - provins? When notified of their mistakes it seems many Norwegian journalists do not like to admit they are wrong and simply won't change the errors. Perhaps they are too confident in what they "think" they know is correct and perhaps too arrogant to want to do the right thing and change the mistake? If so, this is a very unprofessional journalism, as the Norsk Pressorbund states that mistakes should be corrected, but perhaps this journalist thinks he is above the guidelines of the Norsk Presseforbund?
5) Gambler på høy oljepris (YNGVE HELLESTØL) 28 April 2007

http://e24.no/naeringsliv/article1760824.ece

In this story regarding the Canadian oil company North American Oil Sands Corporation the Norwegian journalist calls it " North Amrica Oil Sands Corp." As well, he writes the company comes from "delstaten Alberta i Canada." Alberta is a province in Canada, not a state, as Canada does not have and never has had states.
6) Et garantert dårlig forslag (By Øystein Sjølie) 20 March 2007

http://e24.no/kommentar/e24-kommentar/article1699347.ece

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Den kanadiske delstaten Alberta" and "Albertas investeringsfond skulle investere i ulike prosjekter i delstaten." In this story the Norwegian journalist writes "delstaten Alberta." This is a mistake. Alberta is a province in Canada, and joined Canada in 1905. Canada does not have states, but divided internally by 10 provinces and 3 territories. The Norwegian word for province is "provins". Canada has been using the system of provinces since 1663, when Canada became a Royal province of France. The author has guessed or assumed Alberta is a state otherwise he would have used the correct Norwegian term - provis.
7) It-ansatte trenger stresshjelp (Pål Dimmen, Computerworld) 4 September 2007

http://e24.no/it/article1974388.ece

In this story publish on E24, the Norwegian journalist writes: "En ny amerikansk undersøkelse viser at it-bedrifter må investere mer i stresshjelp for sine ansatte. Men i Norge er situasjonen en annen, mener HMS-ekspert... En gruppe forskere ved Universitetet i Ontario har kommet frem til at it-selskaper i større." The study is a Canadian study done at a Canadian univeristy - the University of Western Ontario in Ontario, Canada. This story has nothing to do with the USA, or any American university as the Norwegian journalist has written. The USA website this story was taken from states: "August 31, 2007 (Computerworld Canada) -- A Canadian graduate school study suggests companies should start investing in IT-specific employee assistance programs and offer more peer support for technology professionals who are struggling to manage their stress levels. The study, "Of Races to Run and Battles to be Won: Technical Skill Updating, Stress and Coping of IT Professionals," also recommended companies look for optimism as a key personality trait when recruiting for IT roles that demand intensive and constant technical skill updating. The results of the study, which was conducted by a group of researchers at the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business, will be published in a human resources management journal later this year. http://www.itworldcanada.com/" Yet, the Norwegian story has changed their story to state this was an American university and American study, yet it is clear from the USA story (picked up from Computerworld Canada) it is Canadian and from Canada. How does this story get changed in the Norwegian press to be American from Canadian??
8) Ett år, seks aksjer i pluss (By Kathleen Buer) 22 November 2008
http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article2784506.ece
In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det selvstendige energiselskapet utvikler aktivt en portefølje bestående av olje- og gass-ressurser i Canada. Questerre har letetillatelse i tre stater, Alberta, British Columbia og Quebec." This is not correct. Canada does not have states, it has provinces. Canada has never had states, and has been using the French system of provinces for 345 years when Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not. The story was corrected the next day after e-mailing E24.