Most want to see a narrower public service

The idea of ​​public service has wide support among the Swedish people. But at the same time, there are many who want to focus more on the core mission, with in-depth documentaries and unbiased investigative journalism, and less on reality shows and dating shows.

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Posted 10:00, April 27, 2023

Just over 3,000 Swedes were asked what they think the public service tax should go to in the first place, and then what other areas they think the tax should fund. This is on file measurement Implemented by Demoscope on behalf of the liberal think tank Timbro.

77 percent support money going to investigative journalism, documentaries and broadcast news. Support for such a focus can be found in SVT, SR, and UR across the entire political spectrum, regardless of party affiliation.

But other areas Where public services operate today they have significantly weaker support. When it comes to paying for and broadcasting major sporting events, only 34 percent want this to be a priority.

And when you get questions about niche entertainment, humor, dating shows, and the like, public service support for participating in this is very weak. Only eight percent think public service should prioritize such things, and support is low regardless of whether respondents are on the political right or left.

Timbro Editor Joachim Bromann He believes the poll shows that there is public support for downsizing the public service.

“If public service had been invented in today’s media landscape, no one would have thought that the best way to use $9 billion in tax money would be to create two giant media corporations that would have to fight to keep their posts seen and heard,” he writes.

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He does not think that the government has any reason to deviate from its ambition for a narrow public service.

“It is worth noting that the desire to create a narrower public service has always been a popular view within the Swedish bourgeoisie, including the liberals. The desire to reform the SVT and SR is not something that has come up with the Swedish Democrats and the culture wars of recent years.”