Iceland: the New Hub for Journalism?

We love America and all, and we’re just as patriotic as the next college newspaper blog. But we have to admit: this news from the Harvard Nieman Journalism Lab just might make the Republic of Iceland our new favorite nation.

No, it’s not because we love Sigur Rós (though who doesn’t like that DVD of the Icelandic pastoral paradise?), nor is it because we adore Iceland’s lovely arctic fox. Our newfound love of Iceland is due to the protection that this volcanic island country may soon be offering people like us—you know, journalists.

On Tuesday, the Icelandic parliament proposed the strongest journalist-protection legislation on the face of the earth. If the measure passes, it would be the most robust combination of source-protection, freedom of speech, and libel-tourism protection known to man.

That’s right, this lovely island in the North Atlantic may become the investigative journalism hub of the world.

So for those of you still interested in journalism, brush up on your Icelandic and get ready to make the trip north—because the industry could be moving to the land of elves and cod wars!