SVT airs a tribute segment on Greta—days before the election

In the middle of the election campaign, SVT’s *Morgonstudion* devoted significant airtime to Greta Thunberg and the people behind the documentary *Strejkarna*. The activists were given a platform to speak about capitalism, demonstrations, and party politics—while the right was singled out as harmful to the climate without any critical follow-up questions.

On September 1, SVT’s *Morgonstudion* devoted a segment lasting nearly 12 minutes to Greta Thunberg, the climate activist Anton Örtell and the director Helena Molin. The reason was the SVT documentary ”The Strikes”, which follows the group behind Fridays for Future.

The tone was set early on. Among other things, the hosts asked how it felt to see old photos and what the activists remembered from the movement’s early years. At the same time, Thunberg shared her perspective on how things had unfolded.

– As we can see right now, all the trends are heading in the wrong direction. To put it bluntly, everything is going to hell.

Was asked to evaluate capitalism uncritically

During the segment, Thunberg elaborated on her critique of society. She described a system in which people are expected to vote every four years and buy less harmful products, while identifying overconsumption and capitalism as the underlying problems.

Later, she urged people to exercise their right to protest.

– Everyone has the opportunity to take action, especially since we live in Sweden, where we are still free to demonstrate—so we have a moral obligation to do so.

No critical follow-up questions were asked regarding her political reasoning.

The Director: ”The Issues Close to My Heart”

Molin also said that her own commitment played a role in the film's creation.

– Given my own commitment and the issues close to my heart, it felt like an obvious project.

She also explained that the film would help viewers understand the struggle from the activists' perspective. She described the harsh rhetoric directed at activists from political and media circles as ”one of the most dangerous things I can imagine”. No critical counter-perspective was presented.

The right wing was singled out

SVT then steered the conversation directly to the election and asked whether it matters how people vote.

– Of course it does.

Molin referred to surveys of the parties' climate policies and then stated:

– And that's where the right wing is in a tough spot.

The question was forwarded to Thunberg. She then said that there is a party in the government that ”brand-new neo-Nazi roots” and continued:

– And at a certain point, it’s no longer about politics. At that point, it’s about whether we’re fellow human beings or not.

Viewers Demand an Investigation

After the broadcast, the X account reacted Review that SVT gave the activists this platform so close to the election. In the comments, the segment was accused of influencing the election, and viewers called for a response from the Media Authority.

SVT concluded the interview by promoting ”Strejkarna” on SVT1 and SVT Play. This raises the question of public service broadcasting’s impartiality when political activists are allowed to present their views on the election and the opposing side without being met with critical questions.