In David Smith et al’s first letter to the editor, allegations were made concerning individuals and we had to consider the consequences of publishing them. On closer scrutiny and after consultation with the Attorney General, it was concluded that some of the content could be deemed to be defamatory. “På Høyden” is the UiB’s internal newspaper, and UiB cannot itself contribute to publishing and thereby spreading allegations which the Attorney General, on behalf of UiB, considers to be potentially defamatory. “På Høyden” was shut for the summer when the letter arrived, and the case was not pursued by the editorial staff until after the end of the summer holidays. It was then clear that the same letter had been sent to researchers and publications in Norway and abroad, and UiB’s management received many enquiries about this. The letter raised a number of questions of principle in relation to UiB’s position on the rights of co-authors, and we saw it as being important to elaborate on this in an article. We therefore addressed the issue, which was of general interest, editorially, since the issue had been raised by the authors of the letter and sent to many recipients. Other matters which were touched on in the letter, and which we regard as being allegations about individuals that should not be published, were not mentioned.
In other respects, UiB has regarded the entire case as being a personnel matter involving many individuals, about which “På Høyden” has not wished to go into detail. However, since greater openness has been requested about the substance of the case, we are now making available links to the judgement and the settlement, in English and Norwegian.
Case brought against Anne-Lise Bjørke Monsen: Judgement in favour of the defendant Bjørke Monsen/final judgement
Case brought against Rolf Kåre Reed: Judgement in favour of the defendant Reed/ final judgement
Case brought against Einar Solheim: Judgement in favour of the defendant Solheim/final judgement
Case brought against UiB: Judgement in favour of the defendant UiB/appealed by Refsum
Link to the judgement in English (rtf.-file 332 kb)
Lenke til dommen på norsk
Refsum appealed the case against UiB in its entirety. Following court conciliation, a final settlement was reached between UiB and Refsum in June this year. Refsum appealed the case against UiB in its entirety. Following court conciliation, a final settlement was reached between UiB and Refsum in June this year.
Link to the settlement in English(rtf.-file, 47 kb)
Lenke til forliket på norsk
David Smith, Ian Graham and Irwin Rosenberg’s last letter to the editor – which cannot be deemed to be defamatory – has been published. The declaration by the foreign professors has also been published, with a response from the University management. It is therefore our opinion that all the parties have had their say in “På Høyden”, and we now regard the debate as concluded.
Silje Gripsrud Torny E. Aarbakke
Editor ”På Høyden” Responsible Editor UiB