Tryckfrihetsförordningen

Tryckfrihetsförordningen, formally known as the Swedish Constitution Act on Freedom of the Press, is one of the four constituent parts of Sweden's uncodified constitution. Adopted on 21 March 1766, it is the oldest still-active law guaranteeing newspaper freedom worldwide and has been the foundation for Sweden’s robust democratic press culture.

The Act articulates that "Everyone is entitled to express and disseminate views in every manner provided that such expression does not violate the law." It prohibits the state from banning or censoring the press and guarantees that no company or individual may be compelled to publish a printed or electronic broadcast. The law also establishes that newspapers must be published by a corporation, a legal requirement that has encouraged accountability and legal continuity.

In practice, the Act has primed Sweden for a marketplace of ideas shaped largely by self-regulation. The Swedish Press Council (Tryckfrihetskommittén) monitors press conduct, but does not impose criminal sanctions; instead, it can issue statements and recommendation to publishers.

Amendments have broadened the scope of media to include digital outlets and strengthened protections against state interference. In 2005, the Act was integrated formally into the Constitution, alongside the Instrument of Government and the Riksdag Act, securing its status in the constitutional hierarchy. The Act remains in force today and is widely cited in academic work on press freedom, as it represents the earliest codes of constitutional press liberty and has influenced liberal democratic societies worldwide.