arbetet

Arbetet (Swedish for “the work”) was a daily newspaper based in Malmö, Sweden, that operated from 1887 until 2000. Founded by members of the Swedish Social Democratic movement, the paper served as a voice for labor interests and progressive politics throughout its existence. Initially published as a modest four‑page sheet, Arbetet expanded its circulation during the early 20th century, especially after World War I, when the growth of the industrial workforce increased demand for a newspaper aligned with trade‑union perspectives.

Owned predominantly by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) and later by various media groups, Arbetet maintained a close editorial relationship with the Social Democratic Party while preserving a degree of journalistic independence. Its coverage combined local news from Skåne with national and international reporting, emphasizing workers’ rights, social welfare policies, and cultural matters. Notable contributors included journalists and writers such as Torgny Segerstedt and Jan Myrdal, who used the paper as a platform for debate.

The 1990s brought significant challenges to the Swedish press, with declining readership and advertising revenues. Attempts to modernize the format and introduce tabloid elements failed to reverse the trend, and in 2000 the newspaper ceased publication after more than a century of service. The legacy of Arbetet endures in Swedish media history as an example of a politically affiliated daily that documented the development of the labour movement and the social democratic era in Sweden.