SVT’s Kristina Lagerström was set to examine politicians’ harsh criticism of the media. But when Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) published the entire interview, the criticism was instead directed at SVT’s questions, interview methods, and premises. SVT subsequently decided to postpone the planned report until after the election. Watch the full interview at the bottom of the article.
The SVT reporter Kristina Lagerström interviewee Carl-Oskar Bohlin ahead of a report on what she described as ”the harsh tone adopted by high-ranking politicians when criticizing the media.” Even before the hearing began, the minister made it clear that he had recorded the conversation himself. The purpose was to allow the public to hear the original recording.
– I always record all my interviews, ," said Bohlin, In order to be able to publish them in their entirety.
Criticism of both, or just of DN?
During the interview, several disagreements arose regarding how Bohlin’s criticism of the media was described. When Lagerström mentioned that Bohlin had expressed limited trust in Dagens Nyheter and described this as part of a broader argument about the media, Bohlin objected, stating that the criticism was directed specifically at DN. He also felt that various forms of media criticism were being lumped together into a single phenomenon.
– This is not a general statement about the media. It is a statement about Dagens Nyheter.
Pressed about others' comments
A large part of the interview also revolved around the extent of Bohlin’s responsibility for comments that other people post on X in response to his posts. Lagerström said that it was a ”fairly established view” that one is responsible for what is written in the comments under one’s own posts. Bohlin objected, saying that he cannot control or moderate other users’ responses on the platform.
– You mean how I feel about people exercising their freedom of speech in Sweden?
The quarter lasted 42 minutes
When Lagerström announced after just over 41 minutes that the interview had to end, Bohlin pointed out that he had been told the interview would be significantly shorter. This sparked an exchange about why the conversation had gone on so long. Lagerström cited his lengthy answers, while Bohlin pointed to the number of repeated questions.
– You said it would take a quarter of an hour, ," said Bohlin, There have been a lot of repeated questions. You've asked the same question 14 times.r.
– Yeah, because you haven't really answered like…, ", Lagerström replied.
– Well, I did answer, but I didn't answer the way you wanted me to, ," Bohlin retorted.
Published the interview – SVT put the brakes on it
Bohlin subsequently posted the entire interview on YouTube and called it ”A thesis-driven low point for SVT.” SVT’s report was scheduled to be published on Thursday, but the news management decided on Monday to postpone its publication until after the election. This sparked further criticism of the public broadcaster’s handling of the matter.
Lagerström herself was critical of the postponement and said she was ”very frustrated.” At the same time, she emphasized that the interview was merely raw material and that it is the finished product that should be balanced. The reporter also defended the approach, arguing that an interview designed to hold someone accountable should give a person in power the opportunity to respond to critical questions.
SVT denies that the criticism influenced its decision
Karin Ekman, the editor-in-chief of SVT News, explained the decision by saying that the editorial staff needed better conditions for journalism. According to her, the broadcast schedule had also been changed earlier: the report was initially scheduled to air after the election, was postponed, and was then postponed again.
– We've made another change—this time to create the best possible conditions for journalism. Working toward a flexible deadline isn't unusual; we do it all the time.
The original lets viewers take control
During the interview, Bohlin argued that publishing full interviews can push journalists to improve the quality of their work. In this case, the publication means that viewers can compare the questions and answers with SVT’s upcoming edited report themselves, rather than being entirely dependent on the description provided by either side.
– I also believe that the fact that I sometimes publish interviews in their entirety forces journalists to improve.
They need to shut that crap down! SVT is worse than the communists themselves.