.
The
Fake News Media of Sweden
by Nima Gholam Ali Pour
August 30,
2017 at 4:00 am
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§ In
most democratic countries, the media should be critical of those who hold
power. In Sweden, however, the media criticize those who criticize the
authorities. Criticism is not aimed at the people who hold power, but against
private citizens who, according to the journalists, have the "wrong"
ideas.
most democratic countries, the media should be critical of those who hold
power. In Sweden, however, the media criticize those who criticize the
authorities. Criticism is not aimed at the people who hold power, but against
private citizens who, according to the journalists, have the "wrong"
ideas.
§ TV4
and all other media refused to report that it was Muslims who interrupted the
prime minister because they wanted to force Islamic values on Swedish
workplaces. When the Swedish media reported on the event, the public were not
told that these "hijab activists" had links with Islamist
organizations. Rather, it was reported as if they were completely unknown
Muslim girls who only wanted to wear their veils.
and all other media refused to report that it was Muslims who interrupted the
prime minister because they wanted to force Islamic values on Swedish
workplaces. When the Swedish media reported on the event, the public were not
told that these "hijab activists" had links with Islamist
organizations. Rather, it was reported as if they were completely unknown
Muslim girls who only wanted to wear their veils.
§ The
Swedish media are politicized to the extent that they act as a propaganda
machine. Through their lies, they have created possibilities for
"post-truth politics". Instead of being neutral, the mainstream
Swedish media have lied to uphold certain "politically correct" values.
One wonders what lifestyle and political stability Sweden will have when no one
can know the truth about what is really going on.
Swedish media are politicized to the extent that they act as a propaganda
machine. Through their lies, they have created possibilities for
"post-truth politics". Instead of being neutral, the mainstream
Swedish media have lied to uphold certain "politically correct" values.
One wonders what lifestyle and political stability Sweden will have when no one
can know the truth about what is really going on.
In February 2017, after U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about
events in Sweden, the journalist Tim Pool travelled to Sweden to report on
their accuracy. What Tim Pool concluded is now available for everyone to watch
on YouTube, but what is really interesting is how
the Swedish public broadcasting media described him.
events in Sweden, the journalist Tim Pool travelled to Sweden to report on
their accuracy. What Tim Pool concluded is now available for everyone to watch
on YouTube, but what is really interesting is how
the Swedish public broadcasting media described him.
On Radio Sweden's website, one of the station's employees, Ann Törnkvist, wrote an op-ed in which Pool
and the style of journalism he represents are described as "a threat to
democracy".
and the style of journalism he represents are described as "a threat to
democracy".
Why is Pool "a threat to democracy" in Sweden? He reported negatively
about an urban area in Stockholm, Rinkeby, where more than 90% of the
population has a foreign background. When Pool visited Rinkeby, he had to
be escorted out by
police. Journalists are often threatened in Rinkeby. Before this incident, in
an interview with Radio Sweden, Pool had described Rosengård,
an area in the Swedish city of Malmö heavily populated by immigrants, as
"nice, beautiful, safe". After Pool's negative but accurate report
about Rinkeby, however, he began to be described as an unserious journalist by
many in the Swedish media, and finally was labeled the "threat to
democracy."
about an urban area in Stockholm, Rinkeby, where more than 90% of the
population has a foreign background. When Pool visited Rinkeby, he had to
be escorted out by
police. Journalists are often threatened in Rinkeby. Before this incident, in
an interview with Radio Sweden, Pool had described Rosengård,
an area in the Swedish city of Malmö heavily populated by immigrants, as
"nice, beautiful, safe". After Pool's negative but accurate report
about Rinkeby, however, he began to be described as an unserious journalist by
many in the Swedish media, and finally was labeled the "threat to
democracy."
One might think that this was a one-time event in a country whose
journalists were defensive. But the fact is that Swedish journalists are deeply
politicized.
journalists were defensive. But the fact is that Swedish journalists are deeply
politicized.
In most democratic countries, media are, or should be, critical of
those who hold power. In Sweden, the media criticize those who criticizes those
who hold power.
those who hold power. In Sweden, the media criticize those who criticizes those
who hold power.
In March 2017, the public broadcasting company Sveriges
Television revealed the name
of a person who runs the Facebook page Rädda vården ("Save
Healthcare"). The person turned out to be an assistant nurse, and was
posting anonymously only because he had been critical of the hospital where he
worked. Swedish hospitals are run by the local county councils, and thus when
someone criticizes the healthcare system in Sweden, it is primarily politicians
who are criticized. Sveriges Television explained on its
website why it revealed the identity of the private individuals behind
Facebook:
Television revealed the name
of a person who runs the Facebook page Rädda vården ("Save
Healthcare"). The person turned out to be an assistant nurse, and was
posting anonymously only because he had been critical of the hospital where he
worked. Swedish hospitals are run by the local county councils, and thus when
someone criticizes the healthcare system in Sweden, it is primarily politicians
who are criticized. Sveriges Television explained on its
website why it revealed the identity of the private individuals behind
Facebook:
"These hidden powers of influence abandon and break the open
public debate and free conversation. Who are they? What do they want and why?
As their impact increases, the need to examine them also grows."
public debate and free conversation. Who are they? What do they want and why?
As their impact increases, the need to examine them also grows."
It is strange that Sveriges Television believes
that an assistant nurse who wants to tell how politicians neglect public
hospitals, is breaking "the open public debate and free
conversation". This was not the only time that the mainstream Swedish
media exposed private citizens who were criticizing those who hold power. In
December 2013, one of Sweden's largest and most established newspapers, Expressen, announced that it
intended to disclose the names of people who commented on various Swedish
blogs:
that an assistant nurse who wants to tell how politicians neglect public
hospitals, is breaking "the open public debate and free
conversation". This was not the only time that the mainstream Swedish
media exposed private citizens who were criticizing those who hold power. In
December 2013, one of Sweden's largest and most established newspapers, Expressen, announced that it
intended to disclose the names of people who commented on various Swedish
blogs:
"Expressen has partnered with Researchgruppen.
The group has found a way, according to their own description, without any kind
of unlawful intrusion, to associate the usernames that the anonymous commentators
on the hate websites are using to the email addresses from which comments were
sent. After that, the email addresses have been cross-checked with registries
and authorities to identify the persons behind them."
The group has found a way, according to their own description, without any kind
of unlawful intrusion, to associate the usernames that the anonymous commentators
on the hate websites are using to the email addresses from which comments were
sent. After that, the email addresses have been cross-checked with registries
and authorities to identify the persons behind them."
The term "hate websites" (hatsajterna) is what
that the mainstream media uses to describe some of the blogs that are critical
of Islam or migration.
that the mainstream media uses to describe some of the blogs that are critical
of Islam or migration.
It is one thing to be critical of bloggers who you may consider
have racist opinions. But exposing the people who have written in comments
sections of various blogs in one of Sweden's biggest newspapers is strange and
terrifying.
have racist opinions. But exposing the people who have written in comments
sections of various blogs in one of Sweden's biggest newspapers is strange and
terrifying.
Researchgruppen has clear links to Antifascistisk
Aktion (Antifascist Action), a group which, according to the
Swedish government, consists of violent left-wing extremists. For their efforts
to expose private individuals in the comments section, Researchgruppen received
the Guldspaden, a
prestigious journalistic award in Sweden.
Aktion (Antifascist Action), a group which, according to the
Swedish government, consists of violent left-wing extremists. For their efforts
to expose private individuals in the comments section, Researchgruppen received
the Guldspaden, a
prestigious journalistic award in Sweden.
Jim Olsson was one individual exposed in Expressen simply
because he wrote something in a blog's comments section. A 67-year-old docent
in physical chemistry, Olsson received a home-visit from Expressen with
a camera and microphone present. A private citizen with no connection to any
political party or organization, he exposed by Sweden's media because he
had written the
following in the comments section:
because he wrote something in a blog's comments section. A 67-year-old docent
in physical chemistry, Olsson received a home-visit from Expressen with
a camera and microphone present. A private citizen with no connection to any
political party or organization, he exposed by Sweden's media because he
had written the
following in the comments section:
"The Swedish asylum system rewards swindlers with a permanent
residence permit. There are, of course, swindlers flooding Sweden."
residence permit. There are, of course, swindlers flooding Sweden."
 The Swedish newspaper Expressen accessed databases of website commenters, targeted critics of immigration, and confronted them at home. The above screenshot is taken from a video on the Expressen website, published under the headline "Jim Olsson writes on hate sites." |
Another private individual, Patrik Gillsvik, with no political
links, was exposed and fired from his job because, in a blog's comments
section, he wrote:
links, was exposed and fired from his job because, in a blog's comments
section, he wrote:
"I would like to join the structural prejudices of the
majority in society and state that gypsies are inventive and witty
entrepreneurs who can enrich our culture -- yes, and then they steal like
ravens, of course!"
majority in society and state that gypsies are inventive and witty
entrepreneurs who can enrich our culture -- yes, and then they steal like
ravens, of course!"
Although the statement can be criticized for being unacceptably
racist, what is unique is that the mainstream media in a Western democracy can
expose private individuals because they wrote something in a blog's comments
section. Criticism is not aimed at the people who hold power, but against
private citizens who according to the journalists have the "wrong"
ideas.
racist, what is unique is that the mainstream media in a Western democracy can
expose private individuals because they wrote something in a blog's comments
section. Criticism is not aimed at the people who hold power, but against
private citizens who according to the journalists have the "wrong"
ideas.
Moreover, each of these private citizens, who have had their lives
ruined because they wrote something distasteful in a comments section, serves
as a warning, so that others will not dare to make the mistake of posting
something politically incorrect on a blog.
ruined because they wrote something distasteful in a comments section, serves
as a warning, so that others will not dare to make the mistake of posting
something politically incorrect on a blog.
It is shocking that in a democracy, the media acts this way, but
that is how Swedish -- and, increasingly, other Western media -- operate these
days.
that is how Swedish -- and, increasingly, other Western media -- operate these
days.
In addition to punishing private individuals who, according to the
them, communicate "wrong" ideas, the media celebrate and support
people who have the "right" ideas. On May 1, 2017, Sweden's Prime
Minister Stefan Löfven was interrupted by a number of hijab-wearing activists
who were protesting a verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union
that employers are entitled to prohibit staff from wearing a hijab. Given that
Sweden's prime minister cannot directly influence the Court, and that one
should not interrupt the country's prime minister when he speaks, one would
think that these "hijab activists" might be criticized in the media.
them, communicate "wrong" ideas, the media celebrate and support
people who have the "right" ideas. On May 1, 2017, Sweden's Prime
Minister Stefan Löfven was interrupted by a number of hijab-wearing activists
who were protesting a verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union
that employers are entitled to prohibit staff from wearing a hijab. Given that
Sweden's prime minister cannot directly influence the Court, and that one
should not interrupt the country's prime minister when he speaks, one would
think that these "hijab activists" might be criticized in the media.
TV4, a national TV-channel and one of the first media outlets
to report this incident,
refused to say that those who interrupted the prime minister were wearing the
Islamic veil. The title of TV4's clip was "Demonstrators Interrupted
Löfven speech". The sub-headline read as follows: "Female protesters
screamed out their anger against the prime minister and wondered where the
feminist government was."
to report this incident,
refused to say that those who interrupted the prime minister were wearing the
Islamic veil. The title of TV4's clip was "Demonstrators Interrupted
Löfven speech". The sub-headline read as follows: "Female protesters
screamed out their anger against the prime minister and wondered where the
feminist government was."
From the text, it is not clear that these activists demonstrated
against the verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union; that all
activists wore a hijab, or that they screamed, "Stand up for Muslim
women's rights!" However, information that
these activists were wearing hijabs and protesting the verdict of the Court of
Justice of the European Union was on their Facebook page and YouTube.
Nevertheless, TV4 and all other media refused to report that those who
interrupted the prime minister were Muslims who were interrupting the prime
minister because they seemingly wanted to force Islamic values on the Swedish
workplace.
against the verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union; that all
activists wore a hijab, or that they screamed, "Stand up for Muslim
women's rights!" However, information that
these activists were wearing hijabs and protesting the verdict of the Court of
Justice of the European Union was on their Facebook page and YouTube.
Nevertheless, TV4 and all other media refused to report that those who
interrupted the prime minister were Muslims who were interrupting the prime
minister because they seemingly wanted to force Islamic values on the Swedish
workplace.
The day after their protest, in an interview with
Radio Sweden, these activists had the opportunity to explain why they protested
-- but were not asked any critical questions. The next day, an Expressen columnist,
Maria Rydhagen, compared one of the hijab-activists glowingly with one of the
founders of the Swedish Social Democratic Party, Axel Danielsson. Rydhagen
wrote the following about
Jasmin Nur Ismail:
Radio Sweden, these activists had the opportunity to explain why they protested
-- but were not asked any critical questions. The next day, an Expressen columnist,
Maria Rydhagen, compared one of the hijab-activists glowingly with one of the
founders of the Swedish Social Democratic Party, Axel Danielsson. Rydhagen
wrote the following about
Jasmin Nur Ismail:
"Then, on Monday, the protest of the girls was perceived as
only an incident. But imagine if it was the start of something big? Perhaps
history was being written, there and then? Imagine if Jasmin Nur is the Axel
Danielsson of 2017. Hero and rebel. In that case: Was it not a pity to remove
her with the help of the police?"
only an incident. But imagine if it was the start of something big? Perhaps
history was being written, there and then? Imagine if Jasmin Nur is the Axel
Danielsson of 2017. Hero and rebel. In that case: Was it not a pity to remove
her with the help of the police?"
As the media refused to write anything negative about the protest
against the prime minister, this author began to investigate the matter. It
took half an hour to find out several important thingswhich were never
mentioned by the Swedish mainstream media. Jasmin Nur Ismail had written about
the incident on her Facebook page shortly after the protest. Who was behind the
protest was not a secret.
against the prime minister, this author began to investigate the matter. It
took half an hour to find out several important thingswhich were never
mentioned by the Swedish mainstream media. Jasmin Nur Ismail had written about
the incident on her Facebook page shortly after the protest. Who was behind the
protest was not a secret.
The demonstration had been organized by the Hayat Women's Movement
and a network called, "The Right to Our Bodies". The Hayat Women's
Movement was founded by Aftab Soltani, who in March 2017 was one of the speakers at a much-criticized annual
Islamic event in Sweden, Muslimska Familjedagarna (Muslim
Family Days). The event was blamed by both the left and the right for inviting hate preachers,
anti-Semites and Muslim radicals as speakers. Another speaker at this Islamic
event in March 2017 was Jasmin Nur Ismail, a heroine of the Swedish
media. Muslimska Familjedagarna was organized by the Islamist Ibn Rushd Educational Association,
the Islamic Association of Sweden (Islamiska Förbundet i Sverige) and
Sweden's Young Muslims (Sveriges Unga Muslimer).
and a network called, "The Right to Our Bodies". The Hayat Women's
Movement was founded by Aftab Soltani, who in March 2017 was one of the speakers at a much-criticized annual
Islamic event in Sweden, Muslimska Familjedagarna (Muslim
Family Days). The event was blamed by both the left and the right for inviting hate preachers,
anti-Semites and Muslim radicals as speakers. Another speaker at this Islamic
event in March 2017 was Jasmin Nur Ismail, a heroine of the Swedish
media. Muslimska Familjedagarna was organized by the Islamist Ibn Rushd Educational Association,
the Islamic Association of Sweden (Islamiska Förbundet i Sverige) and
Sweden's Young Muslims (Sveriges Unga Muslimer).
Jasmin Nur Ismail, hailed as a heroine in Expressen, is
a public figure. Southern Sweden's largest newspaper, Sydsvenskan, described her in an
October 2016 article as an "activist, anti-racist and writer".
According to Sydsvenskan, Jasmin Nur Ismail's political role-model
is Malcolm X. During the Swedish Forum for Human Rights in 2016, Jasmin Nur
Ismail was, in a panel discussion, the
representative for Malmö's Young Muslims -- in turn, a subdivision of an Islamist organization, Sweden's
Young Muslims.
a public figure. Southern Sweden's largest newspaper, Sydsvenskan, described her in an
October 2016 article as an "activist, anti-racist and writer".
According to Sydsvenskan, Jasmin Nur Ismail's political role-model
is Malcolm X. During the Swedish Forum for Human Rights in 2016, Jasmin Nur
Ismail was, in a panel discussion, the
representative for Malmö's Young Muslims -- in turn, a subdivision of an Islamist organization, Sweden's
Young Muslims.
Swedish newspapers did not write a single word that the person and
organizations behind the protest against Sweden's prime minister had links with
Islamist organizations. When the Swedish media reported about the event, the
public were told that these hijab-activists were completely unknown Muslim
girls who only wanted to wear their veils.
organizations behind the protest against Sweden's prime minister had links with
Islamist organizations. When the Swedish media reported about the event, the
public were told that these hijab-activists were completely unknown Muslim
girls who only wanted to wear their veils.
Mainstream Swedish media outlets simply do not report some things.
When the largest mosque in Scandinavia was
opened in Sweden's third largest city, Malmö, the news about this was first
published in the Qatar News Agency and The Peninsula on
May 3, 2017. The reason that Qatar's media wrote about it was because Qatar
financed a large part of the mosque. On May 5, an article about this mosque was
published in Breitbart. On May 6, one
day after Breitbart reported the news and three days after the Qatari media
reported the news, the Swedish terrorist expert Magnus Ranstorp sent a tweet about this
mosque, but he linked it to the Qatari media. At this time, there are still no
Swedish media outlets that have reported anything about the largest mosque in
Scandinavia.
When the largest mosque in Scandinavia was
opened in Sweden's third largest city, Malmö, the news about this was first
published in the Qatar News Agency and The Peninsula on
May 3, 2017. The reason that Qatar's media wrote about it was because Qatar
financed a large part of the mosque. On May 5, an article about this mosque was
published in Breitbart. On May 6, one
day after Breitbart reported the news and three days after the Qatari media
reported the news, the Swedish terrorist expert Magnus Ranstorp sent a tweet about this
mosque, but he linked it to the Qatari media. At this time, there are still no
Swedish media outlets that have reported anything about the largest mosque in
Scandinavia.
On May 8, the Swedish blog Jihad i Malmö wrote about the
mosque and its Qatari financing. On May 9, the Swedish blog Pettersson
gör skillnad wrote about the
mosque. At the same time, the Norwegian author and activist Hege Storhaug, who
is critical of Islam, wrote about the
mosque and noted that the Swedish media had not yet written about it:
mosque and its Qatari financing. On May 9, the Swedish blog Pettersson
gör skillnad wrote about the
mosque. At the same time, the Norwegian author and activist Hege Storhaug, who
is critical of Islam, wrote about the
mosque and noted that the Swedish media had not yet written about it:
"I had expected that the Swedish media at the very least
would mention the opening of Scandinavia's largest mosque with positive words.
But no, not a word in Swedish mainstream media, as far as I have noticed. You
have to go to the English version of Arabic media to get some limited
information, like Qatar News Agency."
would mention the opening of Scandinavia's largest mosque with positive words.
But no, not a word in Swedish mainstream media, as far as I have noticed. You
have to go to the English version of Arabic media to get some limited
information, like Qatar News Agency."
By the time I tweeted about it on May 10, the
mainstream Swedish media still had not widely reported it. On May 15, I wrote
an article on it for
the news website Situation Malmö, run by the Sweden Democrats party
branch in Malmö. With one hour's research, I managed, through what the mosque
had published on Facebook, to discover that one of the leading Social Democrat
politicians in Malmö, Frida Trollmyr, a municipal commissioner with
responsibility for culture, recreation and health, had been at the mosque's
opening. Representatives of the Qatari government also attended, but the
mainstream Swedish media still had not reported anything about it.
mainstream Swedish media still had not widely reported it. On May 15, I wrote
an article on it for
the news website Situation Malmö, run by the Sweden Democrats party
branch in Malmö. With one hour's research, I managed, through what the mosque
had published on Facebook, to discover that one of the leading Social Democrat
politicians in Malmö, Frida Trollmyr, a municipal commissioner with
responsibility for culture, recreation and health, had been at the mosque's
opening. Representatives of the Qatari government also attended, but the
mainstream Swedish media still had not reported anything about it.
On May 17, two weeks after the Qatari media had written about the
opening of Scandinavia's largest mosque in Malmö, 12 days after Breitbart had written
about the event, and two days after my article, the Sydsvenskan newspaper wrote about the
mosque opening. You could not read the article, however, if you had not paid
for "premium membership" to this newspaper.
opening of Scandinavia's largest mosque in Malmö, 12 days after Breitbart had written
about the event, and two days after my article, the Sydsvenskan newspaper wrote about the
mosque opening. You could not read the article, however, if you had not paid
for "premium membership" to this newspaper.
One can see this omission as an unfortunate coincidence, but it is
strange when Breitbart succeeds in communicating more information about Malmö
than southern Sweden's largest newspaper, which is headquartered in Malmö. Why
would the Swedish media not write about the mosque? It was certainly not a
secret. There was no explanation from the Swedish media or anyone else. Yet,
these same media outlets did not hesitate to expose the names of private citizens
who wrote inappropriate opinions on a public comments page.
strange when Breitbart succeeds in communicating more information about Malmö
than southern Sweden's largest newspaper, which is headquartered in Malmö. Why
would the Swedish media not write about the mosque? It was certainly not a
secret. There was no explanation from the Swedish media or anyone else. Yet,
these same media outlets did not hesitate to expose the names of private citizens
who wrote inappropriate opinions on a public comments page.
There are journalists in Sweden who change their views as soon as
the government changes its opinion. Göran Greider, a journalist and editor,
active in the public debate in Sweden for more than 30 years, wrote the following in August
2015, about migration policy:
the government changes its opinion. Göran Greider, a journalist and editor,
active in the public debate in Sweden for more than 30 years, wrote the following in August
2015, about migration policy:
"The European governments who say no to increasing the number
of refugees received not only show a shameful lack of solidarity. They are also
silent when they decline to rejuvenate their populations."
of refugees received not only show a shameful lack of solidarity. They are also
silent when they decline to rejuvenate their populations."
In November 2015, only three months later, when the Swedish
government was forced to change its migration policy because of the migration
crisis, Göran Greider wrote:
government was forced to change its migration policy because of the migration
crisis, Göran Greider wrote:
"But even the left, including many Social Democrats and
members of the Green Party, have sometimes been characterized by an
unwillingness to discuss the great challenges that receiving refugees, in the
quantity we have seen lately, implies for a society. No one wants to be a
nationalist. No one wants to be accused of running the errands of Sweden
Democrats, or racism. But in this way, people on the left, who are so broadly
for bringing in refugees, have often locked themselves out of a realistic
discussion."
members of the Green Party, have sometimes been characterized by an
unwillingness to discuss the great challenges that receiving refugees, in the
quantity we have seen lately, implies for a society. No one wants to be a
nationalist. No one wants to be accused of running the errands of Sweden
Democrats, or racism. But in this way, people on the left, who are so broadly
for bringing in refugees, have often locked themselves out of a realistic
discussion."
There is nothing wrong in reconsidering one's opinion. But it has
become common for Swedish journalists frequently to have opinions that favor
certain political parties -- often the Social Democrats, the Left Party and the
Green Party. The issue is not even about values. People who work for the
mainstream Swedish media are ready to reconsider their values so long as it
helps certain parties to stay in power. This is far from what is presumably the
media's main task in a democracy.
become common for Swedish journalists frequently to have opinions that favor
certain political parties -- often the Social Democrats, the Left Party and the
Green Party. The issue is not even about values. People who work for the
mainstream Swedish media are ready to reconsider their values so long as it
helps certain parties to stay in power. This is far from what is presumably the
media's main task in a democracy.
How is it that no newspaper is rebelling against this order? It
would be a good business proposition; such a media outlet could gain financial
benefits. Sweden's political establishment is, after all, not popular. Well, we
can look at the example of someone who tried. In February 2017, a financier,
Mats Qviberg, bought a free daily newspaper, Metro, usually
distributed in subways and buses in Sweden. In May, he gave an interview to the
newspaper Nyheter Idag, considered by the Swedish establishment to
be "right-wing" or "populist". In his interview, Qviberg
gave a slight playful hint that Metro might in some way
cooperate with Nyheter Idag.
would be a good business proposition; such a media outlet could gain financial
benefits. Sweden's political establishment is, after all, not popular. Well, we
can look at the example of someone who tried. In February 2017, a financier,
Mats Qviberg, bought a free daily newspaper, Metro, usually
distributed in subways and buses in Sweden. In May, he gave an interview to the
newspaper Nyheter Idag, considered by the Swedish establishment to
be "right-wing" or "populist". In his interview, Qviberg
gave a slight playful hint that Metro might in some way
cooperate with Nyheter Idag.
The consequence of the
playful statement was that the Green Party in Stockholm County Council
threatened that Stockholm County would stop handing out Metro in
Stockholm's subways. A columnist stopped writing for the paper. Other media
outlets started to wonder out loud if Metrowere becoming a racist
platform. Before the month of May was over, Qviberg had sold his shares
in Metro. That politicians would punish a newspaper owner who had
"wrong" views did not surprise anyone in Sweden; the situation was
not worth mentioning. In Sweden, even owners of newspapers are supposed to
follow the political order.
playful statement was that the Green Party in Stockholm County Council
threatened that Stockholm County would stop handing out Metro in
Stockholm's subways. A columnist stopped writing for the paper. Other media
outlets started to wonder out loud if Metrowere becoming a racist
platform. Before the month of May was over, Qviberg had sold his shares
in Metro. That politicians would punish a newspaper owner who had
"wrong" views did not surprise anyone in Sweden; the situation was
not worth mentioning. In Sweden, even owners of newspapers are supposed to
follow the political order.
In June 2017, the leader of the Sweden Democrats (SD), Jimmie
Åkesson, spoke in Järva, a district in Stockholm dominated by immigrants. The
Sweden Democrats is a social-conservative party in the Swedish parliament; it
supports, among other matters, a restrictive migration policy. While Åkesson
was speaking, there were protests against him; and among the protesters were
various placards. A photograph of Radio Sweden's van showed an anti-SD placard
inside it. On it, one could read "Jimmie = Racist". The explanation from
Radio Sweden was:
Åkesson, spoke in Järva, a district in Stockholm dominated by immigrants. The
Sweden Democrats is a social-conservative party in the Swedish parliament; it
supports, among other matters, a restrictive migration policy. While Åkesson
was speaking, there were protests against him; and among the protesters were
various placards. A photograph of Radio Sweden's van showed an anti-SD placard
inside it. On it, one could read "Jimmie = Racist". The explanation from
Radio Sweden was:
"Someone put a sign on Ekot's (a Radio Sweden news program)
car in Järva on Sunday evening. It was taken down and put into the car and then
thrown away on the way from there."
car in Järva on Sunday evening. It was taken down and put into the car and then
thrown away on the way from there."
You can have a discussion about why Radio Sweden spends its time
discarding placards that left-wing protesters use. Is that what journalist are
supposed to do when they are covering a story? In the end, however, it does not
matter. The people's confidence in the mainstream media in Sweden is being
eroded as we write.
discarding placards that left-wing protesters use. Is that what journalist are
supposed to do when they are covering a story? In the end, however, it does not
matter. The people's confidence in the mainstream media in Sweden is being
eroded as we write.
A new study from Institutet för Mediestudier shows that 54%
agree, or partly agree, that the Swedish media are not telling the whole truth
about problems in society linked to migration. Instead of the media accepting
that they are biased and starting to change their ways, the media continue to
attack citizens who appear critical.
agree, or partly agree, that the Swedish media are not telling the whole truth
about problems in society linked to migration. Instead of the media accepting
that they are biased and starting to change their ways, the media continue to
attack citizens who appear critical.
In June 2017, the editorial writer of the daily Aftonbladet,
Anders Lindberg, wrote an editorialtitled,
"Hitler Did Not Trust the Media Either," in which he equated the
critics of the Swedish media with Nazis. Anders Lindberg, after working 10
years for the Social Democrats, resigned as the
Communications Ombudsman for the Social Democrats in 2010, to start working as
an editorial writer for Aftonbladet. He is so well-known for what
his critics view as unusual versions of the truth that he has the privilege of
writing for Sweden's largest newspaper. In 2015, he described the issue
of organized begging, a visible problem in northern Europe, as "legends
and folklore". Today there is no party that denies that organized begging
is a real problem.
Anders Lindberg, wrote an editorialtitled,
"Hitler Did Not Trust the Media Either," in which he equated the
critics of the Swedish media with Nazis. Anders Lindberg, after working 10
years for the Social Democrats, resigned as the
Communications Ombudsman for the Social Democrats in 2010, to start working as
an editorial writer for Aftonbladet. He is so well-known for what
his critics view as unusual versions of the truth that he has the privilege of
writing for Sweden's largest newspaper. In 2015, he described the issue
of organized begging, a visible problem in northern Europe, as "legends
and folklore". Today there is no party that denies that organized begging
is a real problem.
I often have difficulty explaining to many of my American friends
and colleagues how the Swedish media work. Often, there may be clear examples
of anti-Semitism and other unsavory behavior. The first question I always get
is: Why is the media not writing about this? The answer is simple. The Swedish
media are politicized to the extent that they act as a propaganda machine. It
is not a propaganda machine in the traditional sense of the word, with an
official Ministry of Propaganda. But in Sweden, many journalists and editors
are either old established political party employees, as Anders Lindberg, or
simply ideologically indoctrinated and therefore extremely biased. The Swedish
propaganda machine punishes those who have the "wrong" opinions and
celebrates those who have the "right" opinions.
and colleagues how the Swedish media work. Often, there may be clear examples
of anti-Semitism and other unsavory behavior. The first question I always get
is: Why is the media not writing about this? The answer is simple. The Swedish
media are politicized to the extent that they act as a propaganda machine. It
is not a propaganda machine in the traditional sense of the word, with an
official Ministry of Propaganda. But in Sweden, many journalists and editors
are either old established political party employees, as Anders Lindberg, or
simply ideologically indoctrinated and therefore extremely biased. The Swedish
propaganda machine punishes those who have the "wrong" opinions and
celebrates those who have the "right" opinions.
What happened to Tim Pool was a part of how media works in Sweden.
As long as he said the "right" things, the Swedish media gave a
positive picture of him. When he started to have the "wrong" opinion,
the propaganda machine started doing its work and Pool became "a threat to
democracy".
As long as he said the "right" things, the Swedish media gave a
positive picture of him. When he started to have the "wrong" opinion,
the propaganda machine started doing its work and Pool became "a threat to
democracy".
There are, of course, more examples that show how sick the Swedish
debate- and media-climate has become. In such a negative environment, there are
many casualties. The first casualty is, obviously, the truth. When people start
to understand that the mainstream media are lying, they turn to alternative
media. Alternative media outlets, however, also usually have political agendas.
A democracy cannot survive well only on biased media. A democracy desperately
needs mainstream media outlets that inform its citizens and criticize people
who hold power. That is something Sweden does not have today.
debate- and media-climate has become. In such a negative environment, there are
many casualties. The first casualty is, obviously, the truth. When people start
to understand that the mainstream media are lying, they turn to alternative
media. Alternative media outlets, however, also usually have political agendas.
A democracy cannot survive well only on biased media. A democracy desperately
needs mainstream media outlets that inform its citizens and criticize people
who hold power. That is something Sweden does not have today.
A large portion of the Swedish population are apparently aware of
this and do not trust the media. Through its lies, the Swedish media have
created possibilities for "post-truth politics" in Sweden. Instead of
being a neutral party, the mainstream Swedish media have lied to uphold certain
"politically correct" values. The result is an atmosphere where many
people believe that everything that the media says has a political agenda. When
the mainstream media in Sweden lie shamelessly, where can one go to find the
truth? One wonders what lifestyle and political stability Sweden will have when
no one can know the truth about what is really going on.
this and do not trust the media. Through its lies, the Swedish media have
created possibilities for "post-truth politics" in Sweden. Instead of
being a neutral party, the mainstream Swedish media have lied to uphold certain
"politically correct" values. The result is an atmosphere where many
people believe that everything that the media says has a political agenda. When
the mainstream media in Sweden lie shamelessly, where can one go to find the
truth? One wonders what lifestyle and political stability Sweden will have when
no one can know the truth about what is really going on.
Nima Gholam Ali Pour is a member of the board of education in the
Swedish city of Malmö and is engaged in several Swedish think tanks concerned
with the Middle East. He is also editor for the social conservative website
Situation Malmö, and is the author of the Swedish book "Därför är mångkultur förtryck"("Why
Multiculturalism is Oppression").
Swedish city of Malmö and is engaged in several Swedish think tanks concerned
with the Middle East. He is also editor for the social conservative website
Situation Malmö, and is the author of the Swedish book "Därför är mångkultur förtryck"("Why
Multiculturalism is Oppression").
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Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents
may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of
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