The Crown Prince on Verrett coverage: – It’s nice that it is highlighted

It was at a press conference in San Francisco that VG asked Crown Prince Haakon questions about what he thinks about the matter.

Se og Hør has received criticism for its coverage of Durek Verrett and is accused of having paid Verrett’s mother for several reports. The Se og Hør chief has himself defended the weekly’s coverage of Princess Märtha Louise’s future husband.

– What do you think about VG’s revelations about Se og Hør’s practice towards Durek’s family, and is this something you have experienced yourself throughout your life, VG asks the crown prince.

– I think that the media have an important social role, which Norwegian media institutions take very seriously. We have skilled journalists who do good work with high quality. It is also the case that if there is something objectionable that has happened within the media, it is good that it is highlighted and taken up, the crown prince replies.

VG published 7. april a longer report and subsequent follow-up cases about Se og Hør’s coverage of Princess Märtha Louise’s future husband. According to the articles, the magazine has paid Verrett’s mother for exclusive reports.

– They take advantage of weak people and give them money to achieve something they want. They don’t care if families break up. They just want the story, and it is unethical and quite shocking, Märtha Louise told the newspaper.

Se og Hør’s editor-in-chief Ulf André Andersen rejected the claims and stated that the weekly’s journalism is aimed at the royal family and is based on normal journalistic principles. He did not want to comment on the allegations about payment by Verrett’s mother, but stated on a general basis that they pay for photo reports and exclusive photo rights.