Democracies Under Siege: Norway’s Model for Combating Disinformation

In a world where autocracies now outnumber democracies for the first time in two decades, the foundations of liberal democracy face unprecedented challenges. As of 2024, the global tally stands at 91 autocracies versus 88 democracies, marking a troubling shift in the global order. Countries like Hungary and Turkey have witnessed significant assaults on science and academic freedom, with similar trends accelerating rapidly in the United States during 2025.

The Trump administration’s moves to shut down the Department of Education, terminate diversity initiatives in educational institutions, and cancel federal funding for research in areas like climate change, LGBTQIA+ health, and disinformation studies follow what experts identify as the classic authoritarian playbook. These attacks systematically undermine the ability of academics and journalists to produce verified information that can serve as checks on power.

Amid this troubling landscape, Norway offers a compelling counterexample. Consistently ranking first on the World Press Freedom Index for nine consecutive years, Norway’s approach to protecting freedom of expression, press independence, and academic inquiry provides valuable insights for democracies struggling to maintain their information ecosystems.

“When authoritarian leaders assault academia and journalism, their goal is to reduce these institutions’ capacity to produce verified information and check leaders’ power,” notes Professor Oscar Westlund, who specializes in digital journalism, disinformation, and fact-checking at Oslo Metropolitan University. “Scholars and professional journalists who want to uphold freedom must actively resist such authoritarianism.”

Norway’s success stems from its comprehensive approach to combating disinformation, which balances reactive measures with proactive investments in a knowledge-valuing culture. Unlike many countries where fact-checking organizations depend heavily on funding from social media platforms, Norway’s fact-checking organization Faktisk maintains its independence through diverse revenue sources. Co-owned by major Norwegian news companies and the national public broadcaster, Faktisk receives only 0.3 percent of its annual revenue from Meta’s third-party fact-checking program.

This financial independence has proven crucial in 2025, as Meta began dismantling its global fact-checking partnerships, starting in the United States. The decision, announced by Mark Zuckerberg on January 7, 2025—exactly four years after blocking Trump from the platform—signals a troubling shift away from verified information in social media spaces.

Beyond fact-checking, Norway employs a comprehensive strategy to strengthen societal resilience against disinformation. In 2025, the Norwegian government released a long-term plan that includes continued support for journalism, regulation of online platform algorithms that amplify false information, strengthening media literacy, and research into how disinformation spreads and affects Norwegian society.

The Norwegian approach centers on three interconnected freedoms: press freedom, academic freedom, and freedom of expression. These are supported by robust institutions and policies that prioritize citizens’ right to accurate information.

Norway maintains a diverse, financially healthy media landscape through direct state subsidies to news publishers, tax exemptions, and strong professional associations that uphold journalistic ethics and editorial independence. Unlike many countries where citizens increasingly rely on social media for news, Norwegians maintain higher levels of direct engagement with professional media outlets, with 42 percent paying for online news—a remarkably high figure by global standards.

Academic freedom thrives in Norway through tuition-free higher education, generous financial support for students, and protected time for faculty research. Nearly half of Norway’s population (49 percent) has attained higher education, ranking ninth among 38 countries surveyed. The Research Council of Norway funds projects on critical topics including climate change and disinformation, enabling researchers to pursue important work without political interference.

Norway’s commitment to public resilience includes constitutional protection for freedom of expression and extensive media literacy initiatives. The Norwegian Media Authority promotes critical media understanding, conducts research, and provides educational resources. Schools, libraries, and organizations like Tenk—a knowledge hub dedicated to strengthening young people’s media literacy—work together to equip citizens with the skills to navigate the digital information landscape.

“Norway’s proactive approach centers its citizens’ freedom of expression and right to information,” Westlund explains. “These efforts result in an informed citizenry and resilience to disinformation.”

The Norwegian model raises an important question: Is a healthy democracy prerequisite for an effective approach to disinformation, or can proactive measures help build democratic resilience? While the full Norwegian approach requires sustained government support, various stakeholders can contribute to advancing public knowledge and critical thinking even in challenging political environments.

As authoritarianism rises globally, democratic countries must defend fundamental freedoms before they erode beyond recovery. The Norwegian example suggests that protecting press independence, academic freedom, and citizens’ media literacy is not merely desirable but essential for democracy’s survival in the digital age.

“In the fight against disinformation,” Westlund concludes, “democratic countries must work together to create regulatory frameworks that protect democracy and essential freedoms—including freedom of expression and the right to information.”