– This is a classic PR project – NRK Culture and Entertainment

"Now that this debate has come, applaud the participants and the direction of the program," said Kjell Terje Ringdal.

He is working for the first time at Kristiania University College, where he teaches rhetoric, social impact and public relations.

On Tuesday, it was learned that "Ex on the beach" participant Henrik Elvejord Borg was seriously criticizing the reality program in his new book.

Ringdal thinks that all this sounds like a follow-up public relations recipe.

"It's a classic public relations project from start to finish," said the public relations expert.

I think the media have bitten the hook

In the book "Text on the Beach", Borg criticizes the program for not having discovered his bipolar disorder.

He also felt that the pre-registration tests were too bad, indicating that people who had to be protected from themselves had been sent to the villa in Mauritius.

This noted the 24-year-old in the newspaper he wrote during his stay.

Discovery told NRK that it had been decided in advance that Borg should write about the experience lived during his stay, but that they do not recognize Borg's claims.

Ringdal compares all this to a pardon, in which all parties understand the steps they will take to achieve the desired effect.

He also notes that he does not comment on the moral of the question, but the structures around it.

"It all started with the idea of ​​a program that will bring together participants who will participate in a media campaign, which will raise awareness." Participants and society think it's nice that " They have even more attention, he says.

The long contacts of the program and the comments of participants have been widely reported in the media since the summer. Ringdal thinks the media in this case have bitten the hook.

"Everyone bites on the hook and can then gather around the fish and enjoy the fish," he says.

Do they mean laughs

Discovery Medical Director Hanne McBride does not reject future collaboration with Borg.

"We have a good tone, so we do not exclude that, we are happy with him and he has been great on TV," McBride told NRK.

Asking what Ringdal thinks if a collaboration was to take place, he says that a circle will be closed.

– Then I laugh hard. Everything becomes reality, where the media logic is fulfilled. I almost want to say "good job" because many people are good at managing public relations and the media, "said Ringdal.

He also points out that, although this should not be a collaboration between Borg and Discovery, both parties will still be satisfied with the situation.

– Both parties are probably satisfied – and also the criticized part. I think they're joking a bit and that criticism is really desired. They only draw more attention to the program, "Ringdal said.

McBride tells NRK that Borg's book project is his.

– You are crazy?

"Ringdal's conspiracy theory is creative and enjoyable, but with that he gives us more credit than we deserve." Henrik defends the book's public relations and it's natural for us to start criticizing the media, says McBride. Wishing him good luck in selling the book.

Meaning The contribution of Borg is childlike

Psychologist John Petter Fagerhaug has already worked with participants in reality series.

He describes Borg's allegations of poor psychological counseling as "denounced" and "childish".

"Today, participants in real life need to know what they are reporting on." Expect more psychological and follow-up help than what you get is so childish. responsibility for the choice they made, "he said.

He thought it was more important before, when the reality TV was new, to improve the participants on what they were part of.

"Now it's so common for people to know the principle," says Fagerhaug.

Even Borg says that he would only warn future participants to reality.

"I was not exactly expecting a psychologist to say such a thing, but I just wanted to play the ball here and create a debate around the theme," he said.

"When you see the results of the program, I think the few who enrolled in the program knew what they were going to do," he says, targeting the party and the culture of consumption during the stay. .