The publishers: We want to warn about the conspiracy theories that are now spreading in Sweden
DEBATE. In the wake of the brutal development of events in the Middle East, the mission of the media is being questioned in a way that has escalated alarmingly.
The publishers, who bring together Sweden’s publicists, want to warn against myths and conspiracy theories that risk increasing threats and polarization.
There is currently a lot of false information being spread about how the journalist corps covers the war, the information is usually used to claim or prove that the media have their own political agendas or motivations.
It is a dangerous narrative, and of course Swedish media does not work that way.
The professional journalists from different parts of the world who report, evaluate, interview witnesses and verify what is actually happening as far as possible, do an extremely important job. The price is high. Already 34 journalists have been killed, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Journalism thrives on being questioned. As representatives of the publishing organization Utgivarna, which brings together Sveriges Radio, Sveriges Television, Sveriges Tidskrifter, Tidningsutgivarna, TV4 and UR, we welcome a discussion about what is published. That discussion sharpens journalism. But when we are suspected, often deliberately, of fueling hatred and confrontation, we must respond.
Swedish journalists are alleged to be biased and spread propaganda about the war between Israel and Hamas. Normal news ratings are accused of being political or even Islamophobic or anti-Semitic. Editorial decisions are described as guided by motives other than the search for truth.
But the public service companies are not owned by the state, of course do not broadcast content decided by politicians and have no agenda in the Middle East issue. Commercial media do not make TV features and do not write texts for either the stock market or the purported interests of any owner.
Swedish news broadcasters are not pro-Palestine or pro-Israel when they do their job, they perform a profession – their journalistic craft.
Swedish media reports within the framework of the Freedom of the Press Ordinance and the Freedom of Expression Act. Swedish journalists are subject to media ethics publicity rules and have committed to provide correct news, be generous with treatment and to respect personal integrity. If you have views on our coverage, it is easy to report your criticism to the Media Ombudsman or the Review Board and have your case heard.
In Sweden, the attempts to discredit the media take place in social media, in emails and calls to the media houses, but also in the streets and squares.
Conspiracy theories thrive on deliberate misunderstandings. Extracted quotes from interviews and debates are presented as evidence. Mistakes happen and will happen in journalism and when they go wrong they must be corrected quickly, but the Swedish media has no other agenda with the news service than to depict and tell about what is actually happening.
We hope to meet respect for that. We hope for an increased understanding of what it can mean to spread incorrect information about the media or our employees. We hope that more people will think before claims about biased journalism are unreflectively spread further. This is dangerous. It distorts reality, increases polarization and breeds more mistrust and hatred. We should all fight those forces.
The Board of Publishers:
Christopher Ahlqvist, editor-in-chief Göteborgs-Posten
Cilla Benkö, CEO of Sveriges Radio
Mathias Berg, Acting TV4
Viveka Hansson, program director TV4
Anne Lagercrantz, vice president of SVT
Thomas Mattsson, senior advisor, Bonnier News
Kerstin Neld, CEO Sweden’s magazines
Kalle Sandhammar, CEO UR
James Savage, chairman Sweden’s journals
Hanna Star, CEO SVT
Johan Taubert, CEO The newspaper publishers
Jessica Wennberg, editor-in-chief Västerbottens-Kuriren
Åsa Rydgren, CEO The Publishers
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