2025-03-262024/25:KU24 · p.4KUConstitution
Security for opinion-makers and media companies
Safety of journalists and other opinion-makers
What's at stake: The outcome affects the safety of journalists, elected officials and cultural workers who face threats, which in turn can affect people's willingness to take part in public debate.
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 government should take a new, concrete step against threats and hatred directed at journalists, opinion-makers and others, or whether measures already taken or under way nationally and at EU level are considered sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee points out that work is already under way and measures have already been taken, including strengthened protection for certain elected officials, an aggravating factor for crimes against journalists, and efforts at EU level, and is therefore not prepared to take any new initiative.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 5 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V, MP) wants the government to draw up a concrete action plan against threats and hatred directed at journalists, opinion-makers, politicians and cultural workers, arguing that current measures are not sufficient to meet a rapidly growing threat to democracy.
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 5 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 gone the other way
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: MModeraterna, SDSverigedemokraterna
Ja 154–130Nej 32–252
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 0/20/0/4 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | No 0/16/0/2 | match | confidence: high | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/20/4 | differs | confidence: high | explicit |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: high | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | No | Yes 62/0/0/10 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:1774 by Mats Berglund et al. (MP) motion 41, 2024/25:3111 by Teresa Carvalho et al. (S) motions 114-116, 2024/25:3159 by Malin Björk et al. (C) motions 18 and 28 and 2024/25:3193 by Ida Karkiainen et al. (S) motion 3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1774 av Mats Berglund m.fl. (MP) yrkande 41, 2024/25:3111 av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S) yrkandena 114-116, 2024/25:3159 av Malin Björk m.fl. (C) yrkandena 18 och 28 samt 2024/25:3193 av Ida Karkiainen m.fl. (S) yrkande 3.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 70 proposals on press and freedom of expression issues, and media matters. The proposals came in motions submitted during the general motion period in 2024 and concern, for example, personal data and digital search engines, freedom of expression on the internet and regulation of tech companies. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to work already being conducted in several of the issues covered by the proposals.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants higher requirements on digital platforms for user identification, age limits on social media, and prevention of algorithms from promoting disinformation and hate. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 5
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 demands conditions that secure strong independence for media, popular education and cultural life, precisely to make it harder for authoritarian forces to undermine democracy, and warns that right-wing populist forces are trying to control information ever more tightly.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands conditions that secure strong independence for media, popular education and cultural life, precisely to make it harder for authoritarian forces to undermine democracy, and warns that right-wing populist forces are trying to control information ever more tightly. An action plan against threats and hatred directed at journalists, opinion-formers and cultural workers protects the democratic infrastructure. The question is not dealt with explicitly, so the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver villkor som säkrar en stark självständighet för medier, folkbildning och kulturliv, just för att göra det svårare för auktoritära krafter att urholka demokratin, och varnar för att högerpopulistiska krafter försöker styra information allt hårdare. En handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister, opinionsbildare och kulturarbetare skyddar den demokratiska infrastrukturen. Frågan behandlas inte uttryckligen, varför ställningstagandet härleds.
- independent media and grassroots movementsdecisive»Vi driver på för villkor som säkrar en stark« (party programme ↗)“We push for conditions that secure strong”
- protection against authoritarian forces»för auktoritära krafter att urholka demokratin.« (party programme ↗)“for authoritarian forces to undermine democracy.”
- threat to free information»Vi lever i en tid då högerpopulistiska krafter försöker styra information och innehåll allt hårdare.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We live in a time when right-wing populist forces are trying to control information and content ever more tightly.”
- diversity of media channels»Det behövs en mångfald av kanaler för information, nyheter« (party programme ↗)“There needs to be a diversity of channels for information, news”
The party programme establishes that democracy is undermined when groups intimidate individuals, journalists and politicians into silence, and that it is society's absolute duty to prevent threats of violence.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that democracy is undermined when groups intimidate individuals, journalists and politicians into silence, and that it is society's absolute duty to prevent threats of violence. The election manifesto adds that work against disinformation and influence campaigns must be strengthened. A concrete action plan against threats and hate against journalists, opinion leaders, politicians and cultural workers is thus the plan's own line on substance, even if the plan does not state its position on the form of the measures.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att demokratin undergrävs när grupper skrämmer enskilda, journalister och politiker till tystnad, och att det är samhällets absoluta skyldighet att förhindra hot om våld. Valmanifestet lägger till att arbetet mot desinformation och påverkanskampanjer ska stärkas. En konkret handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister, opinionsbildare, politiker och kulturarbetare är därmed planens egen linje i sak, även om planen inte uttalar sig om åtgärdernas form.
- duty to protect against threatsdecisive»Det är samhällets absoluta skyldighet att skydda friheten och den personliga integriteten« (party programme ↗)“It is society's absolute duty to protect freedom and personal integrity”
- threats silence democracy»över nätet och försöker skrämma enskilda personer, journalister och politiker till tystnad.« (party programme ↗)“on the net and try to intimidate individuals, journalists and politicians into silence.”
- resist disinformation»Arbetet för att stärka förmågan att stå emot cyberattacker och desinformation ska stärkas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work to strengthen the ability to resist cyber attacks and disinformation must be strengthened.”
- free opinion formation»Media spelar en betydelsefull roll för den fria opinionsbildningen och det fria« (party programme ↗)“Media plays a significant role in free opinion formation and in freedom”
The election manifesto commits to strengthening freedom of expression and supporting independent media throughout the country, and the party programme to the fact that a democratic society requires active public scrutiny and investigative journalism and that no one should be subject to hate crimes or hate propaganda.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto commits to strengthening freedom of expression and supporting independent media throughout the country, and the party programme to the fact that a democratic society requires active public scrutiny and investigative journalism and that no one should be subject to hate crimes or hate propaganda. A concrete action plan against threats and hate against journalists and opinion formers follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet åtar sig att förstärka yttrandefriheten och stödja oberoende medier i hela landet, och partiprogrammet att ett demokratiskt samhälle kräver aktiv samhällsgranskning och grävande journalistik samt att ingen ska utsättas för hatbrott eller hatpropaganda. En konkret handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister och opinionsbildare följer av dessa åtaganden.
- strengthened freedom of expressiondecisive»förstärka yttrandefriheten och stödja oberoende medier i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen freedom of expression and support independent media throughout the country.”
- protection against threats and hate»Ingen ska utsättas för hatbrott eller hatpropaganda.« (party programme ↗)“No one should be subject to hate crimes or hate propaganda.”
- scrutiny as a democratic requirement»Ett demokratiskt samhälle kräver saklig information, aktiv samhällsgranskning och grävande journalistik.« (party programme ↗)“A democratic society requires factual information, active public scrutiny and investigative journalism.”
- free formation of opinion»Yttrandefriheten och den fria åsiktsbildningen är ovärderliga.« (party programme ↗)“Freedom of expression and the free formation of opinion are invaluable.”
The election manifesto establishes that hate, threats, harassment and violence directed at democratic institutions must end and that protection for people working in among other things media and public administration shall be strengthened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto establishes that hate, threats, harassment and violence directed at democratic institutions must end and that protection for people working in among other things media and public administration shall be strengthened. A concrete action plan against threats and hate towards journalists, opinion-formers, politicians and cultural workers is exactly a realisation of this commitment. The plan moreover links press freedom and artistic freedom directly to democracy's functioning.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att hat, hot, trakasserier och våld mot demokratibärande institutioner måste upphöra och att skyddet för personer verksamma i bland annat media och offentlig förvaltning ska stärkas. En konkret handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister, opinionsbildare, politiker och kulturarbetare är just ett förverkligande av detta åtagande. Planen kopplar dessutom pressfriheten och den konstnärliga friheten direkt till demokratins funktion.
- strengthened protection against threats and hatedecisive»Hat, hot, trakasserier och våld riktade mot demokratibärande institutioner måste upphöra. Vi ska stärka skyddet för personer verksamma bland annat i media, religiösa samfund och offentlig förvaltning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Hate, threats, harassment and violence directed at democratic institutions must end. We shall strengthen protection for people working among other things in media, religious communities and public administration.”
- press freedom is protected»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 vigorous media coverage throughout the country is decisive for democracy. Press freedom shall be protected and independent public service defended.”
- independent media»Tillgången till oberoende medier som står fria från såväl politisk kontroll och censur« (party programme ↗)“Access to independent media that stands free from both political control and censorship”
- artistic freedom»Den akademiska och konstnärliga friheten liksom den fria kulturen är grundbultar i ett vitalt civilsamhälle.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Academic and artistic freedom as well as free culture are cornerstones in a vital civil society.”
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's decisive commitment is that threats and harassment against those politically active and elected representatives shall be actively combated, and it wants to introduce a new crime – persecution of state officials – to protect public employees.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's decisive commitment is that threats and harassment against those politically active and elected representatives shall be actively combated, and it wants to introduce a new crime – persecution of state officials – to protect public employees. The media's scrutinizing role is described as the foundation of every democracy and artistic freedom shall be protected. A plan of action against threats and hate directed at journalists, opinion-formers, politicians and cultural workers thus follows from the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planens avgörande åtagande är att hot och trakasserier mot politiskt aktiva och förtroendevalda aktivt ska bekämpas, och den vill införa ett nytt brott - tjänstemannaförföljelse - för att skydda offentliganställda. Mediernas granskande roll beskrivs som grunden i varje demokrati och den konstnärliga friheten ska värnas. En handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister, opinionsbildare, politiker och kulturarbetare följer därför av planen.
- combat threats against those politically activedecisive»rättigheten att engagera sig politiskt måste värnas och hot och trakasserier mot politiskt aktiva och« (party programme ↗)“the right to engage in politics must be protected and threats and harassment against those politically active and”
- protection against persecution of state officials»Socialsekreterare och andra offentliganställda ska skyddas mot förföljelse och utsatthet genom att ett nytt brott – tjänstemannaförföljelse – införs.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Public employees and other state officials shall be protected against persecution and exposure through a new crime – persecution of state officials – to be introduced.”
- scrutinizing media as foundation of democracy»Mediernas oberoende roll och kritiska granskning är grunden i varje demokrati.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The media's independent role and critical scrutiny is the foundation of every democracy.”
- protection for cultural workers»Sverige ska verka internationellt för den konstnärliga friheten, och erbjuda fristäder för förföljda« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall work internationally for artistic freedom, and offer sanctuaries for persecuted”
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 establishes that strong protection for freedom of expression and freedom to communicate is of great importance for a living democracy and that violations of fellow citizens' integrity can never be tolerated without all crimes being prosecuted.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that strong protection for freedom of expression and freedom to communicate is of great importance for a living democracy and that violations of fellow citizens' integrity can never be tolerated without all crimes being prosecuted. The election manifesto also wants to criminalize resistance to a public official. A concrete action plan against threats and hate directed at journalists, opinion leaders and politicians follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att ett starkt skydd för yttrande- och meddelarfriheten är av stor vikt för en levande demokrati och att kränkningar av medmänniskors integritet aldrig kan tolereras utan att alla brott beivras. Valmanifestet vill dessutom kriminalisera missfirmelse mot tjänsteman. En konkret handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister, opinionsbildare och politiker följer av dessa åtaganden.
- strong freedom of expressiondecisive»Ett starkt skydd för yttrande- och meddelarfriheten« (party programme ↗)“Strong protection for freedom of expression and freedom to communicate”
- violations are not tolerated»Övergrepp och kränkningar av medmänniskors integritet och egendom« (party programme ↗)“Abuse and violations of fellow citizens' integrity and property”
- strengthened protection for public officials»Inför brottsrubriceringen missfirmelse mot tjänsteman« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce the criminal charge of resistance to a public official”
- crimes shall be prosecuted»Alla brott ska effektivt och utan undantag beivras« (party programme ↗)“All crimes shall be effectively and without exception prosecuted”
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 undertakes to strengthen criminal law protection for journalists to counter threats, violence and other illegal attacks, and the programme establishes zero tolerance for threats and violence, not least against elected representatives and our democratic processes.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan undertakes to strengthen criminal law protection for journalists to counter threats, violence and other illegal attacks, and the programme establishes zero tolerance for threats and violence, not least against elected representatives and our democratic processes. The plan also uses action plans as a tool against hybrid threats. The counter-proposal's requirement for a concrete action plan against threats and hate thus aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig att stärka det straffrättsliga skyddet för journalister för att motverka hot, våld och andra olagliga angrepp, och programmet slår fast nolltolerans mot hot och våld, inte minst mot förtroendevalda och våra demokratiska processer. Planen använder också handlingsplaner som verktyg mot hybridhot. Motförslagets krav på en konkret handlingsplan mot hot och hat ligger därmed i linje med planen.
- protection of journalistsdecisive»Stärka det straffrättsliga skyddet för journalister, i syfte att värna tryck- och yttrandefriheten, motverka hot, våld och andra olagliga angrepp mot journalister och medieredaktioner« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen criminal law protection for journalists, with the aim of protecting freedom of the press and freedom of expression, countering threats, violence and other illegal attacks on journalists and media offices”
- zero tolerance for threats against democracy»inte minst när detta riktas mot förtroendevalda, våra demokratiska processer och vår rättsordning.« (party programme ↗)“not least when directed at elected representatives, our democratic processes and our legal order.”
- action plan as a tool»Införa en handlingsplan med konkreta åtgärder mot hybridhot och cyberattacker« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce an action plan with concrete measures against hybrid threats and cyberattacks”
- free media for democracy»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 diversity of free and independent media of high quality plays an absolutely crucial role for an open and democratic society.”
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 election manifesto explicitly establishes that every journalist's, artist's and citizen's right to express themselves freely without being subjected to threats or reprisals shall be protected and strengthened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly establishes that every journalist's, artist's and citizen's right to express themselves freely without being subjected to threats or reprisals shall be protected and strengthened. A concrete action plan against threats and hate against journalists, opinion-makers, politicians and cultural workers is a means for precisely that commitment. The plan also wants to sharply raise penalties for crimes against persons and strengthen the position of crime victims.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår uttryckligen fast att varje journalists, konstutövares och medborgares rätt att uttrycka sig fritt utan att utsättas för hot eller repressalier ska värnas och stärkas. En konkret handlingsplan mot hot och hat mot journalister, opinionsbildare, politiker och kulturarbetare är ett medel för just det åtagandet. Planen vill dessutom kraftigt höja straffen för brott mot person och stärka brottsoffrens ställning.
- protection for free voicesdecisive»Varje journalists, konstutövares och medborgares rätt att uttrycka sig fritt utan att utsättas för hot eller repressalier ska värnas och stärkas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Every journalist's, artist's and citizen's right to express themselves freely without being subjected to threats or reprisals shall be protected and strengthened.”
- strengthened freedom of expression»Stärka yttrandefriheten på Internet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen freedom of expression on the Internet.”
- increased penalties for threats and violence»Kraftigt höja straffen samt avskaffa mängdrabatten vid allvarliga brott mot person« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Significantly raise penalties and abolish sentence reduction for serious crimes against persons.”
- support for crime victims»Stärka brottsoffrets ställning och öka stödet till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen crime victims' position and increase support to victims of crime.”
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.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:KU24)
- Committee report full text (HC01KU24)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1169 — Skydd av personuppgifter av Yusuf Aydin (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1262 — Åtgärder mot deepfakes och AI-driven desinformation av Aida Birinxhiku (S)
- Motion 2024/25:1286 — Ökat skydd av personuppgifter av Carita Boulwén (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1336 — Mediefrågor av Alexander Christiansson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1384 — Konsumentpolitik av Mikael Eskilandersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1449 — Yttrandefrihet på internet av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:151 — Sociala medier-plattformar av Denis Begic (S)
- Motion 2024/25:1538 — Skydd för barn på sajter som har pornografiskt och våldsamt innehåll på nätet av Marléne Lund Kopparklint (M)
- Motion 2024/25:1774 — Stärkt kulturpolitik - stärkt demokrati av Mats Berglund m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:1829 — Person-id för konto på sociala medier av Jennie Wernäng och Marléne Lund Kopparklint (båda M)
- Motion 2024/25:1934 — Konstitutionella frågor av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:2413 — Begränsade möjligheter för kriminella att ta del av personuppgifter via söktjänster av Magnus Resare (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2483 — Stärkt arbete för att motverka spridning av våldsam pornografi - ett digitalt barnskydd av Helena Vilhelmsson (C)
- Motion 2024/25:2590 — Översyn av lagen om hets mot folkgrupp av Jan Ericson och Lars Beckman (båda M)
- Motion 2024/25:270 — Förstärkt integritetsskydd gentemot söktjänster av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:2733 — Begränsning av personuppgifter på digitala söktjänster av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2024/25:293 — Begränsning av offentliggörande och försäljning av personuppgifter av Ingemar Kihlström (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:2958 — Kultur, civilsamhälle och medier av Catarina Deremar m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:3057 — För en hållbar samhällsutveckling i lands- och glesbygd av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:3110 — Utgiftsområde 17 Kultur, medier, trossamfund och fritid av Lawen Redar m.fl. (S)
Source: The Swedish Parliament