Feilrepresentasjonen

Feilrepresentasjonen is a Norwegian term that translates to "misrepresentation" in English. It refers to the act of presenting information, facts, or a situation in a way that is incorrect, misleading, or distorted, whether intentionally or accidentally. The concept is used across various disciplines including linguistics, media studies, legal theory, and ethics.

In linguistic contexts, feilrepresentasjonen describes how speakers can convey messages that diverge from the speaker’s intent or from the literal meaning of words, often due to pragmatic factors such as politeness or indirectness. In media, the term is applied when reporting is slanted, selective, or fails to represent events or viewpoints fairly. Within the legal framework, feilrepresentasjonen can be grounds for civil liability or criminal prosecution when false statements are made with intent to deceive and cause harm. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority also considers feilrepresentasjonen a violation when personal data is inaccurately disclosed.

The term entered modern Norwegian discourse in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by German jurisprudence and sociological work on social reality. It continues to appear in academic literature, journalistic critique, and legal commentary, serving as a concise label for the broad phenomenon of distorted representation.