IFS creator Michael Lindgren on debate: 'Foolish of SVT to cancel program'

Michael Lindgren, the creator of the SVT program "IFS – Swedes for Immigrants," has responded to criticism regarding the proposed participation of right-wing activist Nick Alinia. Lindgren clarified in an opinion piece for Expressen that he was not responsible for the program's content or casting decisions.

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I do not have the mandate to make any decisions about content or casting. These are made by the editorial team: primarily by the project manager, the head of SVT Entertainment, and ultimately by the responsible publisher.

"I do not have the mandate to make any decisions about content or casting. These are made by the editorial team: primarily by the project manager, the head of SVT Entertainment, and ultimately by the responsible publisher," Lindgren wrote. He noted that Alinia was just one of several controversial guests he suggested, including rapper Yasin Byn.

Lindgren defended the importance of diverse opinions and freedom of speech. However, he suggested that the program's cancellation was due to a "cocktail of stress, fuzzy hierarchy, and anxious corporate culture at SVT Entertainment." He added, "Given everything that has now emerged, perhaps Alinia should have been disqualified in the selection process solely because of his complete lack of humor. But I think it's foolish of SVT to cancel the program, now that it's already recorded. It would have been fun to see how the rest of the panel handled someone with his views."

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Given everything that has now emerged, perhaps Alinia should have been disqualified in the selection process solely because of his complete lack of humor. But I think it's foolish of SVT to cancel the program, now that it's already recorded. It would have been fun to see how the rest of the panel handled someone with his views.

Helena Olsson, the responsible publisher for "IFS," explained the decision to halt the episode featuring Alinia. Björn Wahren, program director at SVT for the entertainment division, stated that the research was not thorough enough and a more comprehensive background check should have been conducted. He took responsibility for ensuring robust routines for such productions.

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We conclude that our research was not thorough enough. We should have done a more comprehensive background check. It is my responsibility to ensure that we have sufficiently robust routines for this type of production.