Dagens ETC is now being criticized by the Swedish Media Ethics Committee after publishing information about Dumpen's editor-in-chief Sara Nilsson's cancer. The newspaper is accused of having crossed the line by publishing sensitive information about her diagnosis and treatment - information that, according to the committee, was not in the public interest and violated her privacy.
The background is that Sara Nilsson, publisher of Dumpen and one of Sweden's most high-profile figures in the fight against pedophiles, faced a defamation lawsuit linked to the business. When the trial was postponed due to illness, the left-wing newspaper Dagens ETC published details of her health, including that she was suffering from ”metastasized bowel cancer” and that her care had entered a palliative stage.
Insights with Nick
The Dump's work in exposing and naming pedophiles and adults who seek sexual contact with children on the internet (so-called ”pikes”), has led to widespread attacks from the mainstream media. Why it is seen as a serious matter by the media to expose ”pikes”, when the same media has no problem exposing nationalists and immigration critics for things they say or write on the internet, has been a big question mark.
Speculation has been raised that the media sees Dumpen as a competitor for critical scrutiny and the financial support of viewers/readers. Dumpen's work also provides an important basis for criticism of the sexualization of children, including during pride festivals, where children are exposed to sexual behaviours, expressions and other things that would not be considered appropriate in other circumstances.
It was too much - even for the Swedish media ethics system.
Media Ombudsman: ”No reason at all”
Media Ombudsman (MO) ruled that while there was a public interest in the postponed trial of the Dump's editor-in-chief, there was no public interest in private medical details. In the decision, the MO writes:
”There has been no reason for the newspaper to give such detailed information about the complainant's illness and condition.”
The Media Ethics Committee followed the same line and reprimanded Dagens ETC for breach of good journalistic practice. Being censured by the Media Ethics Board means that a medium is officially convicted of violating press ethics rules. It is the most serious public criticism that the Swedish media ethics system can direct at a newspaper or responsible publisher.
”I wonder if I'm going to die now?”
Sara Nilsson reacted strongly after contact with ETC reporter Carolina Lundin. On X she writes:
”Do you remember when Carolina Lundin, reporter at Dagens ETC called up and wondered if I'm going to die now?”
In her complaint, Nilsson describes the conversation as ”intrusive, disrespectful and deeply unethical”. She also states that she was forced to contact relatives before they risked learning about her condition through the media.
The rejection is now seen as a major setback for ETC - and at the same time as a clear victory for Dumpen in general and Sara Nilsson in particular. After complaining about the publication, she has now been vindicated by the media ethics system, which states that the newspaper overstepped the mark in its pursuit of clicks and attention for one of Sweden's most controversial opinion leaders.
The left never deny themselves they lack all empathy for others but cry out loud when they themselves suffer.
Agreed!
Wishing Sara all the best and a full recovery.