Spy team behind deteriorating Swedish press freedom

Freedom of the press and the safety of journalists continue to deteriorate in Sweden. Behind the decline is the debated spy law and more interventions by the police.

In Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) press freedom index 2023, Sweden drops one position and lands in fourth place. The reason is, among other things, the new law against foreign espionage that entered into force on January 1 this year.

The law, which makes it a crime to reveal information that could damage Sweden’s relationship with other states or organizations, has already had an impact on journalism.

This year there are a record number of countries (31) where the situation for press freedom is seen as very serious.

This year there are a record number of countries (31) where the situation for press freedom is seen as very serious. Photo: JOHAN HALLNÄS/TT

Unclear spy law

Last week, SVT chose for the first time to stop a publication with reference to the Espionage Act, even though the crime opens up exceptions for journalistic purposes. The news concerned map images from the Pentagon leak about the Ukrainian energy supply.

According to Charlotta Friborg, responsible publisher at SVT, it was too unclear whether the material would be covered by the law or not.

– It so clearly exemplifies what we and many others warned about. Suddenly you are standing there as the responsible publisher and do not know whether it is possible to publish or not. The wording in the law is too vague, and it shows now when there is this self-censorship, says Swedish RSF chairman Erik Halkjaer.

A journalist deprived of his liberty

When it comes to the safety of journalists, it looks even worse for Sweden. There, Sweden slips down eight places to place 40, behind countries such as Jamaica and Niger.

– It is very serious, says Erik Halkjaer.

– It is about an increased threat and hatred. We also note that journalists now need to relate to the police, who on several occasions last year actively intervened and stopped journalists in their work. In one case, a journalist was detained, and equipment that was source-protected material was also seized.

Erik Halkjaer hopes that the bill that was recently presented on tougher penalties for crimes against journalists and other people with socially important functions will provide increased protection. If the law is approved, it could enter into force on August 1 this year.

– But the police must also go home and do their homework and look at how they can improve their work to support journalists in the field, rather than making their work more difficult, he says.