The dimension of language policing that is the focus in this article refers to the management of micro-level language use by a macro-level institution, in this context the Norwegian Language Council, co-constructed with media actors. An important aspect of language policing is the official definition of terms, carried out by bodies like the Norwegian Language Council. This paper explores citizenship categorization from a contemporary and historical perspective, mainly focusing on a heated debate which took place in Norwegian media on how the criteria of national identity and identity categories could be changed from the normative term "ethnically Norwegian" to a more inclusive lexis that could include all citizens regardless of their ethnicity or language.