Sweden: Public media fear funding proposal is “insufficient”

IN BRIEF: 

• Both Swedish Television and Swedish Radio have cautioned that the proposed funding schedule, outlined in the public service investigation report, would be insufficient.
• The report was released in May, and will feed into the parliamentary bill which decides the public broadcasters’ mandate from 2026-2033.
• Responses from more than 100 organisations have now been released, after the deadline for submissions ended on 13 September.

IN FULL:

“A gradual dismantling”, was how Swedish Radio’s (SR) CEO, Cilla Benkö described the proposals. Her counterparts at Swedish Television (SVT) said it provided “insufficient” funding.  

Both comments were in the broadcasters’ official responses to the public service investigation report, which was published in May 2024, but their responses have only just been made public. 

Read more: SVT is nothing if we are not seen (Insight) 

What is the public service investigation?

The public service investigation is the process that establishes the mandate and mission of Sweden’s public service media (PSM). The current investigation was launched at the start of 2023, when the directives for the investigation were set by the government, and the committee tasked with compiling the report was selected.  

The committee compiled a report which included recommendations on the future of public service media. Following its publication, it was forwarded to relevant parties, stakeholders, bodies, organisations and more, for feedback. More than 100 responses were received. 

The consultation period ended on 13 September 2024, and the responses have now been made public, revealing widespread criticism.  

The outcome of this report will feed into the ultimate assignment for public service media from 2026 until 2033. 

What recommendations does the report include?

The report put forward several recommendations for public service media, including:  

• Provisions for public broadcasters to be technology-neutral to allow them to adapt to the digital age.  

• Online content to be included within the scope of reviews, to ensure impartiality and independence across all forms of content.  

• Funding would increase by three percent in 2026, then by two percent from 2027-30, and by just one percent from 2031-33.  

• Prioritisation of public media’s own platforms rather than other third-party platforms, and that risk assessments should be undertaken when third-party platforms are used.  

• Greater collaboration between the three public broadcasters (SR, SVT and UR).  

Other provisions relate to ensuring a diversity of content. The role of public service media in the overall preparedness of the country was also highlighted.  

“The proposal for allocation of funds is insufficient. It does not at all take account of increased costs to carry out the mission, in particular the expanded mission in the area of ​​security and preparedness.”  – Kristian Lindquist, SVT Head of Strategy

What were the criticisms?

The heads of Sweden’s main public broadcasters, SR and SVT, said their principal concern was the report’s proposals for funding. Both warned it would leave them underfunded.  

In a summary of SR’s submission, CEO Cilla Benkö and the Head of Staff, Gabriel Byström, said they believed an alternative funding mechanism was needed to cover the costs of maintaining their analogue terrestrial network. Keeping the network going was one of the biggest costs for SR, with the cost forecast to further increase.  

“It is not reasonable to gradually be forced to dismantle journalistic activities in order to cover the costs of a ground network which, during the next permit period, will take on the character of a standby network even more,” they said, pointing to SR’s move towards becoming more digital.  

“At the same time, it is absolutely crucial for Swedish preparedness that the ground network remains and is maintained.” Ultimately, a separate funding system for the maintenance of this network is needed, so the costs do not impact the journalism and news services SR provides.  

This year, SR has already made savings of 200-250 million SEK and shrunk the workforce by 180 people. Benkö and Byström said under the proposed funding schedule, from 2026, SR would have to make further cuts to the mark of 230 million SEK, the equivalent of 220 positions.  

SVT’s Head of Strategy, Kristian Lindquist, was w of the proposed funding model. “The proposal for allocation of funds is insufficient,” he said. “It does not at all take account of increased costs to carry out the mission, in particular the expanded mission in the area of ​​security and preparedness, which will entail significant cost increases in light of the deteriorating security situation.”  

Read more: Proposals for Swedish public media raise concerns about future support

Lindquist said they anticipated a deficit of 400 million SEK between what SVT expects to need to be able to fulfil their obligations, versus what the report proposes giving them.  

Other points included:  

• Both SVT and SR outlined concerns over the proposed studies to be undertaken during the mandate period, which risked impacting the independence of public service media. The State Treasury also expressed its fears over this policy.  

• Both expressed regret that the report itself had been a divisive issue amongst the political parties, which carries “a risk that the political consensus that prevailed for a long time on public service will be replaced by a split with significant uncertainty as a result.”  

• However, there was positivity over the changes to technology-neutral regulation and reviews, the emphasis on diverse content production, and the recognition of public service media’s role in emergency broadcasting.  

What happens next?

This report will feed into a government bill, which will then be put to the Riksdag. A vote on that bill will occur around the second half of 2025, with the new assignment coming into effect on 1 January 2026.  

The Public Media Alliance stands with its member, Swedish Radio, and SVT in their concerns over the proposed rate of funding. It is unequivocal that when well funded, with secure independence, that public media plays a pivotal role in underpinning and informing Sweden’s democracy. We will continue to monitor the progress of the public service assignment.