By Editor Morten B. Reitoft · photo used with permission from Grakom.

The Danish Federations of Printers, Grakom today issued a press release (in Danish) about the consequences of bashing printed mass-marketing. Mass-marketing has for several years been an essential part of the retail communication - of course, combined with radio/tv and other channels.

The Socialists People Party (SF) in Denmark have recently suggested that the current opt-out should be changed to an opt-in instead. The CEO of Grakom, Thomas Torp explains "This is the ultimate genuflection for the tech-giants since this will push printed marketing in the arms of the giants", and as he states "most likely lead to even more advertising noise on the Internet."

However, there are some more serious concerns in the statement. I am, of course, not questioning the importance of the fight against climate changes, but if politicians and influencers, in general, are allowed to suggest, and alter our society based on emotions rather than facts, then we as a society are in poor condition.

SF is a political party claiming to fight for the environment, but in this example, don't even come close to producing suggestions that are based on facts. Is using the Internet better than Print? No. The printing industry has with multiple organisations supporting this, proven that Print is sustainable, and have a lower carbon footprint than IT.

So the suggestion is most likely not doing anything good for the environment. However, the "feel-good-feeling" may be good enough for the politicians, since a lot of the supporters of a greener environment don't know either. How should it be possible to think otherwise, when a politician is supposed to do his homework? Even more "funny" is the fact that the same political party also bashes the large tech-companies for not paying enough tax in the countries they operate in - so this is double jeopardy. No winners. This suggestion will only make Denmark poorer.

When politicians come with suggestions like this, it's populism at worst. Carl Valentin is the speaker of environment for the Socialists Peoples Party. He is 27 years old, he has no formal education, and he is elected with only 2.074 personal votes. This in itself is maybe not a problem, but the impact of decisions or suggestions like this has a tremendous effect on the printing industry. The price of this stupid suggestion is unemployment, taxes, and loss of businesses. This in itself isn't a problem either if suggestions like this were fact-based, and made with open eyes towards solving a problem, but it isn't!

Printing is often bashed for not being environmentally friendly, but the printing companies in Denmark - are considered some of the greenest. Most retailers using printed mass-distribution also demand FSC, PEFC and Nordic Eco labelled paper/productions. That is on top of rigid legislation that often gives Danish printers competitive dis-advantages, it can be quite an issue to be bashed by elected people who don't even spend time on gaining simple knowledge.

We at INKISH tried to raise money for making a fact-based documentary on the environmental impact of the global Printing Industry. Unfortunately, we weren't able to raise the about $50.000 this film would cost - but we hope at some point somebody will for real document what's up and down. Consumers and voters don't have a chance to understand when even politicians are jeopardising their voters with feel-good politics rather than facts. 

I am grateful that Grakom and other organisations take this fight and display the shameful politicians and their political scams!