There has been a storm around NRK and Sophie Elise in recent days after the influencer posted a picture on Instagram on Sunday. There was one detail in particular that created a furore.
In the photo, Sophie Elise is standing with another influencer, who is holding a small plastic bag with what looks like a white powder in it.
The image was shortly afterwards removed from the platform.
Continuing the collaboration
Isachsen has not commented on the photo himself, but NRK said on Tuesday that the photo would not have consequences for the collaboration.
In September, Isachsen and her friend Fetisha Williams became NRK profiles through the launch of the podcast “Sophie & Fetisha”.
PROMO: This image was used to promote the podcast collaboration between Sophie Elise, Fetisha and NRK. Photo: Henriette Dhli
NRK Entertainment owns and is behind the podcast.
Since Sunday, TV 2 has been trying to get in touch with Isachsen and the other influencer. After repeated requests, Isachsen and her management have not yet responded. The same applies to the other influencer in the picture.
The fact that the picture had no consequences caused several people to react, including the head of the Norwegian Journalist Association’s NRK department, NRKJ, Rolf Johansen.
– If it had been a permanent employee at NRK, there would have been consequences, Johansen told TV 2 on Tuesday.
Strikes back
The ethics editor at NRK, Per Arne Kalbakk, does not agree with that.
– We do not agree that this case is an example of discrimination between permanent employees and contractors when it comes to posting on social media, he says to TV 2.
DISAGREE: Ethics editor at NRK, Per Arne Kalbakk, says that a permanent employee at NRK would have received the same treatment as Sophie Elise if the same had happened. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen
– If a permanent employee had posted a similar picture, and given NRK the same explanation as Sophie Elise has given, our assessment would have been the same: That this would not have had any consequences for the working relationship at NRK.
NRK said VG that they wanted to have a “thorough talk” with Sophie Elise regarding the Instagram photo before making a statement. What was the content of that conversation, Kalbakk will not comment on.
– In cases like this, NRK has an important responsibility as an employer and client to take into account those who are employed or deliver content to us.
TV 2 is not aware of whether the other influencer knew that the photo was to be published on Sophie’s Elise’s profile, and TV 2 is also not aware that the person in question has shared the photo himself. Therefore, TV 2 chooses not to name the influencer.
