Swedish and Finnish public broadcasters defend free journalism

The leaders of public service media in Sweden and Finland are sounding an alarm over a concerning shift in public perception regarding journalism. Anne Lagercrantz, CEO of Sweden's SVT, and Marit af Björkesten, CEO of Finland's YLE, argue that dismissing free journalism could have detrimental effects on society.

In a joint statement, they stressed the vital importance of maintaining a shared reality grounded in objective and well-rounded journalistic practices. They believe that both strong public service broadcasters and healthy commercial news outlets are essential for the well-being of their respective countries.

Their call to action highlights a perceived erosion of trust or understanding of journalism's role. The executives advocate for a continued commitment to factual reporting, suggesting that its decline could undermine the informed public discourse necessary for functioning democracies. The piece emphasizes that this is not just about media companies, but about the foundation of a shared understanding within society.