The Icelandic parliament, which is working on increasing press freedom in Iceland, passed a new media control law last Saturday. According to IceNews, 30 MPs of the parliament supported the legislation, while 14 were opposed to it and 19 MPs did not vote.

The new law seeks to protect children from obscene content and to ensure freedom of speech. For these aims, a new media committee will be created to mediate between the media, the public and government. The new law is the first of its kind in Iceland as it covers both the press and broadcast media.

The law has been met with criticism, however, arising also from the press. According to IceNews, DV, an Icelandic newspaper, reported that 2000 people have signed a petition that urges the president to veto the law, which would send it to a public referendum.
It is argued, for example, that a creation of a government-controlled committee to protect and enforce press freedom is a contradiction in terms and would end up having the opposite effect. Moreover, RÚV, Iceland's national broadcasting service, is not controlled by the new law, which is seen as controversial by some.

Iceland's media laws have gathered attention particularly after the Icelandic parliament last summer unanimously approved a package of legislation, titled The Icelandic Modern Media Initiative, that aims to make the country an international safe haven for investigative journalists. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Times looked into the bold initiative and its possible consequences. According to the article, Iceland aims to become an international sanctuary for free speech more specifically by allowing organisations to set up their Internet servers in Iceland where controversial material could be published freely.

Iceland already boasts a high press freedom index, as measured by Reporters Without Borders. Los Angeles Times noted that creating conditions in which the press could operate even more freely would push Iceland into unknown territory. The lawmakers are aware of this, as they are trying to find answers concerning, for example, national security and international collaboration.

Some of the planned regulations would be relatively easy to implement, however, and the officials expect Iceland to have the most favourable media climate in the world, even if not all of the initiative's aims are reached.

Sources: IceNews, Los Angeles Times, Room With A View (image source)