Aftonbladet is now focusing on a Riks profile with ties to the Sweden Democrats after reports of remuneration from a conservative institute with ties to Viktor Orbán's government in Hungary. The investigation has quickly sparked reactions about where the line is drawn between international opinion work and what critics describe as a politically colored media drive against conservative actors.
Aftonbladet new review focuses on SD employee Markus Johansson-Martis and his connection to the Hungarian Danube Institute, a conservative institute with ties to Viktor Orbáns government at the time.
The newspaper makes a big deal of the fact that Johansson-Martis is also a regular writer for Riks and political secretary for the Sweden Democrats in Huddinge. According to the documents referred to by Aftonbladet, he received EUR 4 000 a month for six months to write articles, participate in podcasts and attend international conferences.
Fighting back against the accusations
Johansson-Martis herself says that the mission was not about pursuing Hungarian government interests.
- It is clear from the documents that I have written articles, reports, participated in podcasts and conferences. All my work is available online, and you can see how my work has revolved around everything but Hungarian politics, he says to Aftonbladet.
In previous texts, Johansson-Martis has written about Hungary's family policy and the development of conservative movements in Europe.
The head of the Riksbank reacts to the questions
National Editor-in-Chief Jakob Hagnell says he doesn't see any major problems with the link, while reacting to the way the review was worded.
- Given what he has written about with us, where he comments on domestic politics and conservative views on things, I don't see it as a major problem, no.
When Aftonbladet asked about Johansson-Marti's loyalty, Hagnell replied:
- I think it is a strange question to imply that he is a traitor or something like that.
Questions on double standards
The review is now expected to raise questions about how the media treat international political contacts depending on ideological affiliation. Cross-border cooperation between conservatives and nationalists is often described as controversial, while similar networks on the other side of the political spectrum rarely receive the same attention.
Aftonbladet's focus on Johansson-Marti's connection to a Hungarian institute comes at a time when conservative media platforms and opinion leaders are having an increasing impact on Swedish debate.
Responsible Hungary is a model country.
Really suspect and blame them.