Intern Avis For NUFOC - 1977 no 07

Magazine Overview

Title: INTERN avis for NUFOC
Issue: 7
Date: September 30, 1977
Publisher: NORSK UFO CENTER
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This is an internal newsletter from the Norsk UFO Center (NUFOC), serving as a communication tool for its members and addressing various aspects of ufology and the organization's activities.

Content and Articles

Editorial and Content Issues

The editor notes a recent shortage of material for the September issue, prompting a discussion about content generation. The author reflects on having submitted various materials, including press clippings, and suggests that while limiting contributor space can be beneficial, it's only effective if there's ample content. The piece argues that there is an abundance of topics to explore within ufology, and that unused clippings still exist.

Organizational Strategy and Development

The newsletter emphasizes that the internal publication's primary function is internal communication, but it can also host content not suitable for the main periodicals. It touches upon the perceived slow development and communication activities within NUFOC in 1977, acknowledging that some members initially felt the launch of the internal paper was too hasty or costly. The editor defends the need for continuous development, stating that stagnation leads to regression. The importance of maintaining the necessary apparatus for UFO reporting, investigation, and dissemination is stressed. This includes keeping the periodicals running and improving them, as well as maintaining international contact for content.

The Scandinavian UFO Center Initiative

A significant theme is the idea of establishing a Scandinavian UFO Center. The author believes that NUFOC has reached a point where further development is difficult within its current structure. A Scandinavian center is seen as a way to provide the necessary 'push' for a new dimension, potentially opening up new opportunities. The positive reception of this idea by colleagues in other Nordic countries is highlighted, indicating that NUFOC's ideology and operational systems have garnered attention beyond Norway's borders.

Media Criticism and Public Perception

A substantial portion of the newsletter is dedicated to media criticism. It discusses how UFOs are often presented in the Norwegian press, with sensationalized reports of sightings contrasted with articles that dismiss UFOs as balloons, optical illusions, or misidentifications. The newsletter claims that scientists and astronomers are rarely engaged on the topic in the media, and that serious UFO material struggles to break through the prevailing skeptical or comical narrative. Norsk UFO Center aims to address this issue, noting that even some Swedish newspapers have begun to deviate from this pattern.

Responding to Skepticism: The 'Standard Letter'

An article titled "UFOs - An Attitude Question" presents a translated and adapted 'standard letter' from the leader of UFO-Sweden, Thorvald Berthelsen. This letter is intended to be used by NUFOC members as a response to misleading media articles about UFOs. It argues that the media often presents a biased view, dismissing UFOs and failing to engage with serious evidence. The piece criticizes the tendency to label UFO proponents as 'crazy' or 'delusional' without proper investigation, highlighting a dogmatic and irrational approach to the subject.

Personal Anecdotes and Observations

The newsletter includes personal anecdotes. One story is about a dying skipper who preferred his daughter's company over a priest, stating he knew more about the 'world' than the priest did. Another section discusses the 'rational thinking' of a teacher who vehemently dismisses UFOs, arguing that this dismissal is not based on logic but on a pre-determined, dogmatic stance that overrides truth, akin to a religious phenomenon. The author suggests that such 'irrational attachment' can lead to significant conflicts.

Contact with the Soviet Union

A notable announcement is the establishment of contact with the Soviet Union. NUFOC received a letter from V.I. Sanarov at the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Novosibirsk, USSR, requesting more information about NUFOC. It is speculated that NUFOC's English-language circular from the Global Section may have reached him. This contact is seen as a potential source of much-needed material.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter reflects a proactive stance by Norsk UFO Center in managing its internal communications, developing its organizational structure, and engaging with the broader UFO community. There is a clear emphasis on the need for continuous development and a critical approach to media coverage of UFO phenomena. The organization appears to be actively seeking international collaboration and new sources of information, particularly from the Soviet Union and through the proposed Scandinavian UFO Center. The editorial stance is one of advocating for serious investigation and discussion of UFOs, while also critiquing the prevalent skepticism and misrepresentation in the media.

Title: UFO-Forum
Issue: 9
Volume: 1
Date: September 1973
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO-Forum, published by the Norsk UFO Center (NUFOC), addresses the public's significant interest in the UFO phenomenon and the need for more serious press monitoring. It critiques the common perception of UFOs as solely alien spacecraft and the tendency towards sensationalism and uncritical belief in much of the existing UFO literature.

Norsk UFO Center's Approach

The Norsk UFO Center positions itself as an organization that does not claim belief but is compelled by extensive documentation to acknowledge a UFO phenomenon that requires scientific investigation. Their fundamental premise is to explore this phenomenon without preconceived notions, whether it involves extraterrestrial visitors or other natural occurrences. They stress that photographs of UFOs are not considered proof, as they can be faked, but can serve as a complement to eyewitness accounts when corroborated by multiple observers.

The organization notes that many scientists, politicians, and military personnel are hesitant to openly discuss UFOs due to prevailing skepticism and the efforts of narrow-minded authorities over the past 30 years to stifle serious debate and influence public opinion and the media. NUFOC is a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to seriously and scientifically registering, investigating, and processing UFO reports from Norway. They collaborate with similar organizations and researchers internationally, sharing material and disseminating factual information through available channels. NUFOC publishes two periodicals, UFO Forum and Rapportnytt, available by subscription.

While some reported phenomena can be explained as ordinary occurrences after thorough investigation, a residual number of cases in Norway, as in other countries, remain unexplained. These unexplained cases form the core of the UFO phenomenon, characterized by high credibility and significance. NUFOC emphasizes the importance of quickly contacting witnesses to thoroughly investigate their accounts before external factors distort perspectives.

The organization aims to elevate the UFO issue to a more reputable level and distance itself from fantasists and uncritical believers who have previously damaged its credibility. Their primary task is to influence attitudes that currently steer the debate, often portraying engaged individuals as mere enthusiasts. NUFOC clarifies that they are not the ones who see UFOs, but rather they are involved in the process of documentation and investigation.

UFO Investigations in Sweden

The issue also features a report from Sweden, detailing a special training program for ufologists organized by UFO-Sverige. Approximately 50 field researchers from across the country attended a special education course in Lersäter, near Köping, from September 23rd to 25th. This marks the first time in Sweden that practical training for ufologists is being emphasized, with a particular focus on understanding misinterpretations of known phenomena. Many reports initially sensationalized in the Swedish press as 'flying saucers' are, according to UFO-Sverige's investigations, the result of people misinterpreting events.

To illustrate this, a variety of 'phenomena' were demonstrated, including the use of flares and parachute flares by the military for launching light projectiles, demonstrations of various lights by hired aircraft, and the launch of signal rockets and hot air balloons. The goal was to cover the entire spectrum of common misinterpretations. The training also included a comprehensive review of interview methodologies, witness psychology, and research methods, with participation from various experts. Artificial 'landing traces' were also present at the site. The article concludes with a quote from Thorvald Berthelsen of UFO-Sverige's Central Group, stating that it is not UFO enthusiasts who are seeing 'flying saucers,' and notes that an orientation was sent to 150 Swedish newspapers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for a scientific, evidence-based approach to the study of UFOs, distinguishing itself from sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry and rigorous investigation, aiming to legitimize the study of unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a clear effort to distance the organization from the 'fantasist' label and to engage with a broader, more credible audience, including professionals from scientific and governmental fields. The emphasis on training and education, particularly in identifying misinterpretations, highlights a commitment to objective analysis rather than blind acceptance.