pressfriheten

Pressfriheten, or freedom of the press, is the right of journalists and media outlets to seek, publish, and disseminate information without censorship or prior restraint by the state, and to inform the public about matters of interest and accountability.

In Sweden, press freedom is safeguarded by two constitutional laws: the Freedom of the Press Act (Tryckfrihetsförordningen), enacted in 1766, and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen), adopted in 1991. Together with the principle of public access to official documents (offentlighetsprincipen), these provisions create a robust framework for independent reporting and government transparency: media may publish information without prior approval, and the public can request official records.

Media across print, broadcast, and online platforms are protected; censorship and prior restraint are generally forbidden. Exceptions exist for areas such as national security, privacy, defamation, and hate speech, and journalists may be held accountable under applicable laws. The principle of public access to official documents helps ensure transparency and accountability in government actions.

Press freedom strengthens democracy by enabling scrutiny of public authorities, informing public debate, and safeguarding pluralism. The Swedish model emphasizes transparency and protection for sources and whistleblowers, and international observers commonly place Sweden among countries with high levels of press freedom.

Challenges remain, including safety risks for journalists, economic pressures on media organizations, and the evolving impact of digital platforms and misinformation on reporting. Nevertheless, pressfriheten remains a central pillar of Sweden’s democratic system and a reference point in debates on freedom of expression worldwide.