DR's double standards in focus: From tattoo criticism to their own in-house tattoo artist.

Danmarks Radio (DR) has made headlines over the years for their stance on tattoos and the industry surrounding them. On several occasions, DR has been critical of tattoo artists and the industry, expressing concerns about hygiene, safety, and the professional standards followed by industry actors. But in an interesting twist, DR has now apparently chosen to incorporate an "in-house tattoo artist" in connection with their P3 Gold show, where Oliver Bjerrehuus suddenly got tattooed on stage in front of the entire audience.

This incident reveals a sharp contrast between DR's previous positions and their current actions. Why is this problematic? Because it calls into question DR's credibility and adherence to principles.

In several programs and articles, DR has criticized the tattoo industry for being "dirty" and having problems with hygiene. They have often highlighted health risks associated with tattoos and questioned the industry's regulation. Tattoos have been portrayed as something to be cautious about, and there has been a clear skepticism towards tattoo artists, who are often cast in a negative light.

A concrete example is how DR has repeatedly focused on tattoo legislation, describing it as inadequate. They have discussed the dangers of tattoos, especially those performed by unregistered and uncertified tattoo artists or without proper hygiene. They have advocated for stricter regulation and called for a cautious approach to the tattoo industry.

But now DR chooses to have a tattoo artist perform as part of their P3 Gold show, where Oliver Bjerrehuus gets tattooed live in front of an audience. This is a clear example of double standards. How can DR on one hand disparage and criticize the tattoo industry, and on the other hand promote it as part of their own entertainment show?

This kind of self-promotion stands in stark contrast to DR's previous attitudes. By incorporating an in-house tattoo artist and bringing tattooing in as entertainment, DR sends a signal that tattoos are suddenly acceptable and trendy – but only when it fits into their narrative.

In connection with the Gold Prize 2024, held on Saturday, October 18, DR interviewed a man from the audience who is a fan of the group Infernal. During the program, he received autographs from Infernal's Paw and Lina, which were then tattooed by DR host Nicolas Kaiser, who acted as an "in-house tattoo artist". This course of events has raised serious questions about the legality of DR's actions in relation to the current tattoo legislation.

According to Denmark's newest tattoo law (Act 695 of 2018), anyone who performs tattooing by introducing color under the skin is considered a "tattoo artist", and the place where the tattoo is performed is designated as a "tattoo site". Both must be registered under the Danish Safety Technology Authority's tattoo registration scheme, which can be found on the Danish Safety Technology Authority's website. However, a quick search shows that neither Nicolas Kaiser nor DR are registered, which has led to DR being reported to the Danish Safety Technology Authority (SIK) today both via their tip form and by email.

Denmark's tattoo industry has undergone significant tightening of rules in the past eight years, introduced to protect both consumers and practitioners. DPU, Denmark's Professional Independent Tattoo Artists, with over 1,000 members, expresses great indignation at DR's actions. DPU's founder, who has been involved in developing both Danish and European standards for tattooing, as well as conducted more than 12 hygiene courses and tattooed more than 13,400 patients, points out that it is a scandal that DR, which has criticized the tattoo industry both in news and programs like KONTANT, now has its own "in-house tattoo artist" without being legally registered.

DPU has requested SIK to take this case seriously and ensure that DR is investigated and sanctioned for violating the legislation. DPU emphasizes that it is important that large institutions like DR comply with the law, especially when they reach out to young people through programs like the P3 Gold Prize.

DPU's founder hopes that media outlets like Ekstra Bladet will challenge both SIK and DR in this case to ensure justice for the tattoo industry, which in recent years has worked hard to establish itself at a professional level under strict guidelines.

In an email to SIK, attached to the complaint against DR, reference was made to an article about the tattoo performed by Nicolas Kaiser, which can be read here. DPU's founder has also informed its members about the complaint, so that they can follow how SIK handles the case, and ensure that tattoo legislation is complied with, even by large institutions.

Furthermore, it can be argued that DR potentially goes against the tattoo law. The tattoo law is very clear about the rules for where and under what conditions tattoos may be performed. Hygiene is a central element, and one can ask oneself whether the necessary standards were met when Oliver Bjerrehuus was tattooed in the middle of the stage at a live show. If DR, in their critical coverage of the tattoo industry, has pointed out dangers of unprofessional conditions, what does it say about them when they themselves stage tattooing during a show?

This situation raises some serious questions about DR's credibility. One cannot both be critical and distance oneself from an industry, only to later embrace it when it fits into an entertainment context. It undermines the trust that many have in DR as an objective and responsible public service institution.

If DR believes that tattoos and the industry are problematic, then they should also live up to their own standards – not promote it as part of their entertainment. In this way, it all appears as an attempt to benefit from tattoo culture when convenient, while having previously criticized it.

DR has made itself the subject of criticism by displaying double standards in their attitude towards tattoos and the tattoo industry. Where they previously criticized tattoo artists and the industry, they now choose to make tattooing part of their own show – and it seems that principles must give way for the sake of entertainment.

This inconsistency risks damaging DR's credibility, and it stands as an example of how media can help shape public debate in a way that is not always principled.

It will be interesting to see how DR will defend this obvious double standard in the future.

Sources:

Post from DPUT's own Facebook group on October 19, 2024.