Denmark: Man Follows and Intimidates Ida Bøgild
Reporter was covering climate protest when she was followed by an unknown man
Location: Denmark, Funen
Date: January 31, 2024
The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the recent incident involving journalist Ida Bøgild in Denmark. Bøgild, a dedicated reporter for Fyens Stiftstidende, was subjected to intimidation while performing her professional duties during the coverage of a climate protest near the residence of Nordic Waste owner, Torben Østergaard-Nielsen, on January 31, 2024. In a country that has traditionally championed press freedom, the harassment and surveillance of journalists like Bøgild are utterly unacceptable. Journalists play a vital role in upholding democracy and serving the public interest by providing objective and accurate information. They should be able to perform their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment. We urge Danish authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and identify the person responsible for following the journalist.
"I don't think it's right to intimidate journalists. It's not okay to behave that way. We do our work in the public interest, and I wasn't there to harass anyone," says Ida Bøgild.
On January 31, 2024, Bøgild was followed while on assignment for Fyens Stiftstidende. Bøgild was investigating a climate action targeting the billionaire owner of Nordic Waste, Torben Østergaard-Nielsen. The day before, employees of the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet placed a trailer filled with horse manure and hay in front of Østergaard-Nielsen's house. Accompanying the trailer was a sign that stated, "Remove your shit, and we'll remove ours." Bøgild was on assignment for Fyens Stiftstidende to gather information and conduct interviews regarding this unusual and provocative act.
During her investigation, Bøgild encountered a mysterious car that appeared to follow her closely. "It was obvious to me that he wasn't driving around like a normal person would," she notes. Feeling increasingly uneasy, Bøgild attempted to drive away to assess if the car continued to tail her. The car persisted and parked some distance away.
A sense of being followed compelled Bøgild to contact her superior and express her concerns. She drove back towards Østergaard-Nielsen's house, and the car followed suit, parking ominously close to her. In a bold move, she approached the vehicle and knocked on the window, seeking answers from the unidentified driver.
“I don’t think it’s right to intimidate journalists. (…) We do our work in the public interest, and I wasn’t there to harass anyone”
The man in the car refused to say who he was or what he was doing at the scene. But he asked Bøgild to delete the photos of his car. “I didn't take a picture of his car. I was surprised he cared so much about it,” says Bøgild.
The identity and purpose of the man remain unknown. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has communicated to Fyens Stiftstidende that they cannot comment on potential personal protection details. The USTC group, chaired and co-owned by Torben Østergaard-Nielsen, did not disclose whether they employ on-site security personnel.
The motive behind the newspaper’s action outside the billionaire’s home was an advocacy effort, with the Ekstra Bladet asserting that Torben Østergaard-Nielsen and his family should take responsibility for their alleged role in the climate crisis. Dumping the horse manure was a symbolic statement against the company's environmental impact. Ekstra Bladet was actively urging the billionaire and his family to acknowledge their part in what they described as an "environmental disaster" affecting a local village.
Although Denmark ranks 3rd in the world in RSF’s ranking of 180 countries, journalists sometimes face skepticism and occasional hostility, especially in areas with heated debates on immigration. The media has also faced controversy regarding sexism, leading to measures to protect women journalists and implement a new code of conduct.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns any form of intimidation or harassment against journalists and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the apparent surveillance of Ida Bøgild. Such actions contribute to concerns about interference with the freedom of the press and may discourage journalists from pursuing critical investigations on sensitive topics.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.