2025-05-072024/25:KU16 · p.34KUConstitution
Provision on public service
Constitutional protection for public service broadcasting
What's at stake: Constitutional protection would make it harder for future political majorities to quickly restrict public service broadcasting's independence and remit, while the absence of such protection leaves the matter open to future changes through ordinary legislation.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the independence of public service broadcasting should be strengthened through explicit constitutional protection, or whether the current legal protection is sufficient pending a forthcoming legislative proposal.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee notes that an earlier inquiry refrained from proposing a constitutional amendment to strengthen public service broadcasting's independence, due to a lack of broad parliamentary support, and that the government intends to put forward a bill on a new public service act. The committee is therefore not prepared to now propose further measures to give public service constitutional protection or to require a qualified majority for decisions on public service, and rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 32 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V, MP) wants to give public service broadcasting and its independence constitutional protection, arguing that free and independent media serve an important democratic function and that constitutional protection would secure that independence durably and guard against swift political interference in the media's operations.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 32 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: LLiberalerna
Ja 175–131Ja 161–145
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | No 0/16/0/2 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | Yes | Yes 62/0/0/10 | match | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:909 by Magnus Manhammar (S), 2024/25:1774 by Mats Berglund et al. (MP) motion 45, 2024/25:1934 by Jessica Wetterling et al. (V) motion 6 and 2024/25:3038 by Daniel Helldén et al. (MP) motion 16.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:909 av Magnus Manhammar (S), 2024/25:1774 av Mats Berglund m.fl. (MP) yrkande 45, 2024/25:1934 av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V) yrkande 6 och 2024/25:3038 av Daniel Helldén m.fl. (MP) yrkande 16.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 90 proposals in motions on constitutional matters. The motions were submitted during the ordinary motion period 2024 and concern, among other things, the form of government and the head of state's mandate, increased transparency in the Royal Household and Palace Estate's finances, and EU cooperation. Some proposals concern measures to revitalize democracy. Other motions raise questions about political communication, party financing, lobbyists and cooling-off rules for ministers and senior civil servants. Further topics addressed in the motion proposals concern constitutional regulation regarding national minorities, Swedish citizenship and public service. The Riksdag refers to previous positions on these matters.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the monarchy to be abolished and Sweden to become a republic. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 32
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to see a strong, broad and independent role for public service with a mission based on the constitution but standing independent from political power.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see a strong, broad and independent role for public service with a mission based on the constitution but standing independent from political power. Constitutional protection for public service and its independence is precisely that commitment expressed in legislation. The plan also emphasizes public service's independent position and the need for a diversity of channels that are not controlled by states or capital interests.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se en stark, bred och självständig roll för public service med ett uppdrag som utgår från grundlagen men står oberoende från den politiska makten. Ett grundlagsskydd för public service och dess oberoende är exakt det åtagandet omsatt i lagstiftning. Planen betonar också public services oberoende ställning och behovet av en mångfald av kanaler som inte styrs av stater eller kapitalintressen.
- mission from the constitutiondecisive»public service, med ett uppdrag som utgår från grundlagen men står« (party programme ↗)“public service, with a mission based on the constitution but standing”
- independent from political power»oberoende från den politiska makten, och heltäckande journalistisk« (party programme ↗)“independent from political power, and comprehensive journalistic”
- public service independence»Därför är det särskilt viktigt att satsa på och utveckla folkbiblioteken, folkbildningen och public services oberoende ställning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore it is particularly important to invest in and develop public libraries, public education and public service's independent position.”
- diversity of channels»Det behövs en mångfald av kanaler för information, nyheter« (party programme ↗)“There is a need for a diversity of channels for information, news”
The election manifesto explicitly states that public service shall be constitutionally protected, and the party programme guards public service broadcasters' independence and requires that they are guaranteed autonomy from political, commercial and other interests.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly states that public service shall be constitutionally protected, and the party programme guards public service broadcasters' independence and requires that they are guaranteed autonomy from political, commercial and other interests. The counter-proposal's requirement is thus literally the plan's own position. The requirement for independent news reporting throughout the country points in the same direction.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet säger uttryckligen att public service ska grundlagsskyddas, och partiprogrammet slår vakt om public service-kanalernas oberoende och kräver att de garanteras självständighet gentemot politiska, kommersiella och andra intressen. Motförslagets krav är därmed ordagrant planens egen ståndpunkt. Kravet på oberoende nyhetsförmedling i hela landet pekar åt samma håll.
- constitutional protection for public servicedecisive»Vi vill grundlagsskydda public service.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to constitutionally protect public service.”
- independent public service»Vi socialdemokrater slår vakt om oberoendet och friheten för public service-kanalerna« (party programme ↗)“We social democrats guard the independence and freedom of public service broadcasters”
- autonomy against political interference»självständighet gentemot politiska, kommersiella och andra intressen.« (party programme ↗)“autonomy from political, commercial and other interests.”
- independent news reporting»Mediestödet ska ge förutsättningar för oberoende och lokalt förankrad nyhetsförmedling i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Media support shall provide conditions for independent and locally anchored news reporting throughout the country.”
The plan explicitly requires that an independent public service be protected in the constitution and that the constitution be protected against rapid changes.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly requires that an independent public service be protected in the constitution and that the constitution be protected against rapid changes. It also establishes that an independent and strong public service is needed for diversity of opinions and freedom of expression. The counter-proposal's requirement thus coincides with the plan's commitment.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen att ett oberoende public service skyddas i grundlagen och att grundlagen skyddas mot snabba förändringar. Den slår också fast att ett oberoende och starkt public service behövs för mångfald av åsikter och yttrandefrihet. Motförslagets krav sammanfaller därmed med planens åtagande.
- constitutionally protected public servicedecisive»skydda ett oberoende public service i grundlagen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect an independent public service in the constitution.”
- strong independent public service»public service samt lagar som motverkar för stora« (party programme ↗)“public service and laws that prevent too”
- independent media»förstärka yttrandefriheten och stödja oberoende medier i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen freedom of expression and support independent media throughout the country.”
- protection against rapid political intervention»skydda Sveriges grundlag mot snabba förändringar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect Sweden's constitution against rapid changes.”
The manifesto promises that press freedom shall be protected and that an independent public service shall be defended, and the party wants to explicitly protect democratic institutions, among other things by making the constitution harder to amend.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The manifesto promises that press freedom shall be protected and that an independent public service shall be defended, and the party wants to explicitly protect democratic institutions, among other things by making the constitution harder to amend. Constitutional protection is precisely that form of protection against rapid political interference. The party programme establishes that media shall be free from political control and censorship.
Original (Swedish)
Manifestet lovar att pressfriheten ska skyddas och att ett oberoende public service ska försvaras, och partiet vill uttryckligen skydda de demokratiska institutionerna bland annat genom att göra grundlagen svårare att ändra. Ett grundlagsskydd är just den formen av skydd mot snabba politiska ingrepp. Partiprogrammet slår fast att medier ska stå fria från politisk kontroll och censur.
- defend public service independencedecisive»En allsidig, oberoende och livskraftig mediebevakning i hela landet är avgörande för demokratin. Pressfriheten ska skyddas och oberoende public service försvaras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Comprehensive, independent and vibrant media coverage throughout the country is essential for democracy. Press freedom shall be protected and independent public service defended.”
- constitutional protection for institutions»Våra demokratiska institutioner behöver skydd. Vi vill göra det svårare att ändra grundlagen, skydda oppositionens ställning i riksdagen och stärka domstolarnas oberoende.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our democratic institutions need protection. We want to make the constitution harder to amend, protect the opposition's position in the Riksdag, and strengthen the independence of the courts.”
- media free from political control»Tillgången till oberoende medier som står fria från såväl politisk kontroll och censur« (party programme ↗)“Access to independent media that are free from both political control and censorship”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto explicitly requires that SVT, SR and UR have enhanced legal protection for their independence from political control, which is precisely what the counter-proposal's constitutional protection aims at.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly requires that SVT, SR and UR have enhanced legal protection for their independence from political control, which is precisely what the counter-proposal's constitutional protection aims at. The plan moreover wants generally to see strengthened constitutional protection for democratic governance and rights. That financing should safeguard companies' independence shows that the plan sees protection against political intervention as decisive.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver uttryckligen att SVT, SR och UR ska ha ökat skydd i lagen för sitt oberoende från politisk styrning, vilket är precis vad motförslagets grundlagsskydd syftar till. Planen vill dessutom generellt se ett förstärkt grundlagsskydd för det demokratiska statsskicket och rättigheterna. Att finansieringen ska slå vakt om bolagens oberoende visar att planen ser skyddet mot politiska ingrepp som avgörande.
- legal protection for public servicedecisive»Därför ska Sveriges Television, Sveriges Radio och Utbildningsradion ha ökat skydd i lagen för sitt oberoende från politisk styrning, och public service-bolagen ska fortsätta ha ett brett programutbud.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore Sweden's Television, Sweden's Radio and Educational Radio shall have enhanced legal protection for their independence from political control, and public service companies shall continue to have a broad programme offering.”
- strengthened constitutional protection»Vi vill se ett förstärkt grundlagsskydd för vårt demokratiska statsskick, öka domstolarnas oberoende och verka för en författningsdomstol som ska kunna häva lagar eller bestämmelser som strider mot grundlagsskyddade fri- och rättigheter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see strengthened constitutional protection for our democratic governance, increase the courts' independence and work for a constitutional court that can repeal laws or provisions that conflict with constitutionally protected freedoms and rights.”
- independent financing»Finansieringen av public servicemedierna ska slå vakt om bolagens oberoende.« (party programme ↗)“The financing of public service media shall safeguard companies' independence.”
- media independence»Mediernas oberoende roll och kritiska granskning är grunden i varje demokrati.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The media's independent role and critical scrutiny are the foundation of every democracy.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan attaches great importance to independent and advertisement-free radio and TV channels and requires that public service provide independent and factual news coverage.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan attaches great importance to independent and advertisement-free radio and TV channels and requires that public service provide independent and factual news coverage. Constitutional protection securing this independence against rapid political intervention aligns with the plan's requirement for strong protection of freedom of expression and the press and with the Constitution's task to protect rights from abuse. However, the Constitution's form is not addressed, which is why confidence is low.
Original (Swedish)
Planen tillmäter oberoende och reklamfria radio- och TV-kanaler stor betydelse och kräver att public service tillhandahåller oberoende och saklig nyhetsförmedling. Ett grundlagsskydd som säkrar detta oberoende mot snabba politiska ingrepp ligger i linje med planens krav på ett starkt skydd för yttrande- och meddelarfriheten och med grundlagens uppgift att skydda rättigheter från övergrepp. Just grundlagsformen behandlas dock inte, varför säkerheten är låg.
- independent news coveragedecisive»Public service ska tillhandahålla oberoende och saklig« (party programme ↗)“Public service shall provide independent and factual”
- value of independent media»Betydelsen av oberoende och reklamfria radio- och« (party programme ↗)“The importance of independent and advertisement-free radio and”
- strong protection for freedom of expression»Ett starkt skydd för yttrande- och meddelarfriheten« (party programme ↗)“Strong protection for freedom of expression and press freedom”
- the Constitution protects rights»Grundlagen ska säkerställa de rättigheter som alltid« (party programme ↗)“The Constitution shall ensure the rights that have always”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to protect and strengthen public service's core mission and establishes that the goal should be independent institutions that are free from state and politics.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to protect and strengthen public service's core mission and establishes that the goal should be independent institutions that are free from state and politics. A constitutional protection for public service independence is precisely a protection against rapid political intervention and is in line with the demand that constitutional laws provide ironclad protection for freedom of speech and press freedom. The plan sees free and independent media as crucial for the democratic society.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill värna och stärka public services kärnuppdrag och slår fast att målet ska vara självständiga institutioner som står fria från stat och politik. Ett grundlagsskydd för public services oberoende är just ett skydd mot snabba politiska ingrepp och ligger i linje med kravet att grundlagarna ska ge ett oavvisligt skydd för yttrande- och pressfriheten. Planen ser fria och oberoende medier som avgörande för det demokratiska samhället.
- protect public servicedecisive»Värna och stärka public services kärnuppdrag och kravet på saklighet och opartiskhet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Protect and strengthen public service's core mission and the requirement for factuality and impartiality”
- institutions free from politics»Målet ska vara självständiga institutioner som i sin verksamhet står fria från stat och politik.« (party programme ↗)“The goal should be independent institutions that in their operations are free from state and politics.”
- constitutional protection for press freedom»Våra grundlagar ska ge ett oavvisligt skydd för« (party programme ↗)“Our constitutional laws should provide ironclad protection for”
- free independent media»En mångfald av fria och oberoende medier som håller hög kvalitet spelar en helt avgörande roll för det öppna och demokratiska samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A multitude of free and independent media that maintain high quality plays a completely crucial role for the open and democratic society.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to reduce public economic control over the media sphere and achieve increased media independence through reduced political direction and greater diversity, not by constitutionally enshrining a state-funded actor's position.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to reduce public economic control over the media sphere and achieve increased media independence through reduced political direction and greater diversity, not by constitutionally enshrining a state-funded actor's position. A constitutional protection for public service cements the state's role in the media landscape instead. The plan does not explicitly take a position on the constitutional issue, so the conclusion is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill minska det offentligas ekonomiska kontroll över mediesfären och nå ökat medieoberoende genom minskad politisk styrning och större mångfald, inte genom att grundlagsfästa en statligt finansierad aktörs ställning. Ett grundlagsskydd för public service cementerar i stället det offentligas roll i medielandskapet. Planen tar inte uttryckligen ställning till grundlagsfrågan, varför slutsatsen är härledd och osäker.
- reduced public media influencedecisive»Minska det offentligas ekonomiska kontroll över samtidskulturen och mediesfären« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Reduce public economic control over contemporary culture and the media sphere”
- independence through diversity»Mediernas oberoende ska öka genom minskad politisk styrning från statsmakten och åtgärder för en ökad mångfald.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Media independence shall increase through reduced political direction from the state and measures for increased diversity.”
- freedom from political hints»Samtidigt ska oberoende kulturinstitutioners frihet från politiska pekpinnar värnas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At the same time, independent cultural institutions' freedom from political hints shall be protected.”
- free opinion formation»Stärka möjligheten till fri och värdeoberoende åsiktsbildning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen opportunities for free and impartial opinion formation”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:KU16)
- Committee report full text (HC01KU16)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:474 — Grundlag av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:105 — Om krav på enbart svenskt medborgarskap för statsråd och riksdagsledamöter av Rashid Farivar (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1193 — Avskaffande av anonyma partibidrag av Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)
- Motion 2024/25:1295 — Skydda även svensk kultur i regeringsformen av Staffan Eklöf (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1345 — Det svenska språkets bevarande av Runar Filper m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1374 — Granskning av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1375 — Grundlag av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1376 — Konservativ politik för samtid och framtid av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1377 — Några valfrågor av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1380 — En behövlig myndighetsöversyn av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1481 — En riksrevision för kommunerna av Malin Danielsson och Cecilia Rönn (båda L)
- Motion 2024/25:150 — Ökad transparens i partifinansieringen av Ola Möller (S)
- Motion 2024/25:1774 — Stärkt kulturpolitik - stärkt demokrati av Mats Berglund m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:1784 — Ett modernt statsskick av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C, S, L, MP, V)
- Motion 2024/25:1922 — En funktionsrättspolitik för trygghet och delaktighet av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:1934 — Konstitutionella frågor av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:1935 — Åtgärder för de nationella minoriteterna och minoritetsspråken av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:1984 — Värnande av demokratin av Ann-Sofie Alm (M)
- Motion 2024/25:222 — Införande av sanktioner för överträdelse i lagen om restriktioner vid statsråds och statssekreterares övergång till annan än statlig verksamhet av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:223 — Nationellt organiserad kommun- och regionrevision av Josef Fransson (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament