Expert on press ethics Trygve Aas Olsen believes that TV 2 must provide a very good reason as to why they chose Nokas robber David Toska as chess expert.
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Trygve Aas Olsen is a skilled worker at the Department of Journalism. He believes that the Norwegian people are entitled to a proper explanation of why TV 2 chose Toska.
– This does not affect or break with any points in the Beware poster. But it is tasteless of TV 2 and I disagree with the editorial choice, says Aas Olsen to VG.
The press ethics expert believes the election leaves a suspicion that TV 2 is speculating in the commercial value of Toska.
–– If TV 2 chooses Toska to get more viewers by having a “bad celebrity” as a chess expert, if TV 2 speculates on the commercial value of Toska, then that is not a valid reason. But only TV 2 can answer that. They should explain why they chose Toska and they should have a very good answer. I would think TV 2 wants the best as an expert, are there no others who have more bearing than Toska? asks Aas Olsen.
VG’s commentator Leif Welhaven on this matter: To get tired of!
On Sunday, it was announced that the former Nokas robber will be a chess expert on TV 2. One year after the robbery in 2004, Toska was arrested in Spain. He was sentenced to 20 years unconditional imprisonment, one of the most severe punishments in the Norwegian judicial system, but was released in 2018, after serving 13 years. Later Sunday it became known that a sponsor for the chess matches withdraws.
Gunnar Bodahl-Johansen (72) is a specialist in press ethics and previously worked at the Department of Journalism. He believes Toska must be allowed to be a chess expert on TV 2.
– I think he has served his sentence and has finished his sentence. We have a rule of law where people who have made up for themselves as the rule of law demands. He will return to society and live a normal life. It must be acceptable for him to comment on a chess tournament. But I understand that people react, it is natural. What Toska did was serious, and he received a severe sentence, says Bodahl-Johansen to VG.
– What do you think about TV 2 choosing Toska, there are many others in Norway who can play chess?
– TV 2 must answer that, they are the ones who have invited him. Now he will talk about chess and not something that has to do with what he has been punished for, Bodahl-Johansen answers.
–Sports editor Vegard Jansen Hagen in TV 2 explained on Sunday VG the choice of the convicted 46-year-old as a studio guest.
– There are currently some broadcasts as a guest under Tata Steel, so it is still a long way to go before both employment and TV profile. David Toska is with us for the first time on Monday and then we will see what the future will be, said Jansen Hagen.
– The hope is that Toska will come through with the knowledge and the commitment he has for chess. Then he can undoubtedly contribute something positive, said the TV 2 boss, who acknowledges that there will be disagreement about the election:
– We must be prepared for and have respect for the fact that not everyone thinks the same about this.
The policeman was shot during the Nokas robbery: – Headless glorification
Many years of chess expert Atle Grønn believes his own competence is irrelevant when he discusses whether David Toska should sit in a TV studio as a chess expert or not. But he is considering the chess player David Toska to be around the country’s 500 best in sports.
– Then you can play a lot of chess, but there are 499 that are better than you. In NM you would be in the third or fourth upper class. You would not be able to fight to become Norwegian champion. In cross-country skiing, it would have been a little above Birkebeineren level, Grønn describes to VG.
– Do you think this devalues the expert role in chess?
– I’m not worried about the unprotected title of chess expert, Grønn smiles.
His colleague Hans Olav Lahlum, who TV 2 also uses during the Tata Steel tournament, will not comment on Toska’s new role.
– What I have said about it, I have said to TV 2. For me, it is strange to say something about this in public when I myself am sitting in the studio under Tata Steel, reports Lahlum.
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