Criticism grows over lawmaker’s ‘political activist’ claims

Sigríður Dögg Auðunsdóttir, chair of the Icelandic Journalists’ Association, and Reform Party MP Sigmar Guðmundsson have criticised comments made by Centre Party MP Snorri Másson in parliament on Friday, mbl.is reported.

Snorri said that, in some cases, political activists were employed by the state broadcaster RÚV.

“It is completely intolerable and unacceptable for an elected representative to misuse the parliamentary podium to attack the professional integrity and reputation of journalists at RÚV,” Sigríður Dögg wrote on Facebook.

She described the comments as another attempt by politicians to undermine trust in media and journalists who did not suit them. She said the issue was particularly serious at a time when news organisations were under pressure and verified information was more important than ever amid the abundance of information available to the public.

Sigmar said he did not often agree with Snorri, but agreed that at least one political activist was being paid by the state.

“That activist works in parliament and fights fiercely against the rights of trans people, the LGBTQ community and foreigners. He earns nearly two million krónur a month and his name is Snorri Másson,” Sigmar wrote.

In a response to Sigmar’s post, Snorri called it “hilariously insane”. He said the truth could be painful and questioned whether calling a politician a political activist should be considered an insult.

Snorri also said there was a difference between the normal conduct of a media worker in that position and that of a member of parliament, referring to Sigmar as a former RÚV employee.