CONFISCATION EXTRA! EXILED Seventeen news- FIRST EVER Prominent poet papers seized PRESS COUNCIL banished for in one day. FORMED! inciting revolution. 1942 1916 1793

The Swedish UNFOLDED. No. 1 #ThisIsFreedom

he freedom to express oneself in T speech and writing is one of the ‘The freedom of basic according to the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948. The Swedish Freedom a nation is always of the Press Act was passed almost 200 years earlier, in 1766. As the first proportional to its constitutionally protected freedom of the press legislation in the world, the freedom of the press, act did not only declare freedom of the press, it also gave the citizens the legal right to scrutinise and share so that one cannot public documents according to the ground-­breaking principle of public exist without the other.’ access to information. And all of this more than twenty years before the Cleric and parliamentarian Anders Chydenius, 1766. passing of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) and twenty-five years before the passing of the First Amendment in the US (1791).

TOP OF THE CLASS? Recurrently ranked among the top countries on any global freedom of ‘The freedom to the press index, the story of Swedish freedom of the press has in fact been both unexpected and eventful. This think and to express unique timeline exhibition reveals how Swedish freedom of the press one’s thoughts stands came about and focuses on some of the advances and setbacks that have shaped it. In the words of Swedish above all else. writer August Strindberg: ‘Persecution of the press and freedom of the press It is the living breath go hand in hand.’ It was true when it was written in 1881. of humanity.’ In many parts of the world it still holds true today. Publicist Torgny Segerstedt, 1934. This is ’s story. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

1450 Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press. 1483

1485 Office of the first censor created in Gutenberg’s hometown Mainz. 1526

CONFISCATION The closure of Catholic bishop Hans Brask’s (1464 –1538) printing house is the first known confiscation in Sweden. The measure is ordered by King Gustav Vasa (1496 –1560) in order to curb the spread of anti-Lutheran propaganda. The same year the first royal printing house is established Dialogus creaturarum. in , making it the official Image: Wikipedia. printing house in the country. FIRST PRINTED BOOK 1539 The first book to be printed in Sweden Gustav Vasa sends a letter to the is Dialogus creaturarum, a collection 1559 The Index Librorum country’s archbishop in which he Prohibitorum first explains that nothing shall be printed of Latin-language fables, printed by published in Rome. without the King’s consent. German Johann Snell (before 1476 – after 1519) at the Franciscan monastery on the island of Riddarholmen in 1579 Union of Utrecht treaty 1574 –1593 signed. Stockholm. During the denominational strife 1581 known as the liturgical battle a number Dutch William of Orange imposes prohibition of of prohibitions against both Catholic offensive books. and Lutheran writings are issued. The academic censorship develops and the import of books is put under

1605 strict regulation. First printed newspaper The Swedish Empire, 1611 –1721 comes out in Strasbourg. The era of the Swedish Empire, a time when Sweden was one of the great 1630 European powers, is characterised King Gustavus Adolphus (1594 –1632) issues a mandate giving the humanist by both economic and territorial Eric Schroderus (1608 –1639) the infor- mal role as censor of Stockholm. The expansion. It is also during this 1643 Licensing Order of 1643 authorisation also gives Schroderus issued in England. period that large parts of the govern- the right to print his own publications

1644 without prior review from another ment administration are developed, ‘Give me the liberty to authority. know, to utter, and to including a statutory control over the argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.’ John Milton’s dissemination of printed materials. Areopagitica is published. 1645 The newspaper Ordinari Post Tijdender publishes its first issue. It is the oldest newspaper in the world that is still in circulation, now solely online (under the name Post- och Inrikes Tidningar).

1651 The young chamber servant Arnold Messenius (1629 –1651) is executed after having written 1661 a rhymed lampoon about Sweden’s 1662 Queen Kristina (1626 –1689). Licensing of the Press Act issued in England. CENSORSHIP The guardian regency of King Charles XI (1655 –1697) introduces the first real censorship 1670 1665 ‘The more a government strives to curtail freedom ‘Pasquils and lampoons’ are banned. laws of Sweden. Henceforth, two copies of the of speech, the more obstinately is it resisted.’ Two years later, there is also a ban books printed in the kingdom are to be sent publishes Tractatus Theologico-­ on the import of ‘harmful’ books. to the King’s chancery for review. Content that Politicus. is considered offensive or harmful can be confiscated and fined. Already in 1662 it is stipulated that censorship reviews will take place before printing. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

1749

Censor librorum Niclas von Oelreich’s (1699 –1770) imprimatur stamp. Source: National Library of Sweden.

A decision is made to provide books approved for printing with a stamp with the word imprimatur (may be printed), followed by name of censor.

1748 Charles-Louis de Secondat 1748 publishes De l’Esprit des lois. It becomes illegal to print Swedish manuscripts and books outside the 1741 country. The measure comes in effect publishes Of the Liberty of the Press. to protect copyright.

1740 Frederick the Great of Prussia introduces shortlived easings in 1738 censorship. ‘That each and every citizen, without coercion or overseer, may present their thoughts to the public’s free Anders Nordencrantz is one of the fore- most pioneers of Sweden’s freedom of opinion [...] will help a free people the press. Portrait from the book The Men of Swedish Industry (Svenska industriens know themselves, their strengths män), 1875. Image: Wikipedia. and their weaknesses.’ Lord of the Chancery and later councillor of the state Henning Adolf Gyllenborg (1713 –1775) is the first to present demands for freedom of the press to the Swedish parliament in 1738. CENSORED WRITING ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

1730 The public officer Anders Nordencrantz Age of Liberty, (1697 –1772) publishes Arcana Oeconomiae 1719–1772 et Commercii, a work that in addition to During the Age of Liberty articles on national and politics the political power is also contains a section on increased free- transferred from the king dom of the press. The section is, however, to the Privy Council deleted by the censors before the work is (government) and the distributed. Nordencrantz later returns to parliament. A party the issue and becomes one of the most system consisting of the 1710 The Statute of Anne issued important opinion formers on the intro­ so-called Caps and in England. duction of freedom of the press. emerges and the public exchange of views be­ comes a natural part of

politics. Upheaval takes 1704 1706 Matthew Tindal and place in a variety of Daniel Defoe publish against Restraining the Press and Essay on areas and with them the Regulation of the Press comes growing demands respectively. for greater freedom of the press.

1686 ‘Now the hand was severed, and then the tongue by hook pulled out and cut off, soon thereafter the head knocked off and the body burnt on pyre, and finally hand and tongue nailed to a post on the square.’ Quote from Stories from Swedish History Charles XI establishes a special office, (Berättelser ur svenska historien). The engraving by Erik Dahlbergh (1625 –1703) depicts the island Koön, where the execution the censor librorum, for the treatment was carried out. Image: National Library of Sweden. of preventive censorship. EXECUTION Field surgeon Johan Henrik Schönheit (unknown 1684 –1706) is the only person in Sweden to be exe­ cuted following a printing offense. His initial crime Charles XI issues a formal censorship had been to issue sections from Grimmelhausen’s statute, vindicating the monitoring of book publishing even further. The History of Joseph the Chaste (Histori vom keuschen statute remains in effect until preven- Joseph) without permission. The edition was with- tive censorship is abolished through the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766 drawn and Schönheit fled to Hamburg, Germany. (Tryckfrihetsförordningen)*. From there he continued to spread lampoons *The Swedish name of the law has changed over the years but for simplicity’s sake we refer to it as about the Swedish Privy Council. He was abducted, the Freedom of the Press Act in this context. brought to Sweden and sentenced to penal servi- tude for life. The severity of the penalty was later increased to execution by bodily mutilation for blasphemy and crimes against the Crown. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

1759

‘The life and strength of civil liberty consist of limited government and unlimited freedom of the written word.’ Botanist and explorer Peter Forsskål.

‘Longing for news from Sweden, [to see] what political changes there have been, and what fate my small publications have met’, As the father of modern botany Peter Forsskål wrote in a letter to Carl Linnaeus from Alexandria Carl Linnaeus named a non-stinging nettle Educated in both Uppsala 2 April 1762. Linnaeus’ reply is not known. The picture shows to the memory of Peter Forsskål. The nettle was named and Göttingen (Germany), Forsskål’s last letter to his former master, dated a little over a month Forsskaolea tenacissima, probably a tribute to Forsskål’s tenacity. Peter Forsskål’s moral philo- before his death. Photo of the original manuscript, published with Photo: Linnean Herbarium, Swedish Museum of Natural History. sophical thoughts are said to permission from the Linnean Society of London. have inspired (1724 –1804) himself. As a botanist Forsskål was the first person to describe the plant life of the Red Sea. He died 1763 in the wake of malaria in Yarim in present-day Yemen as part of a Danish research expedition. He was 31 years old. Painting by RADICAL FORERUNNER Paul Dahlman (1733 –unknown), 1760, . Photo: Magnus Wallerstedt. Philosopher, botanist and orientalist Peter Forsskål (1732 –1763) publishes the hitherto pithiest plea for Swedish freedom of press. Only eight pages long, the pamphlet Thoughts on Civil Liberty (Tankar om borgerliga friheten) is not only politically radical, it is also more accessible than many previous publications on the subject. When the script is printed, after Forsskål finally received permission from censor Niclas von Oelreich, all copies of 1760 –1762 the booklet are ordered to be confiscated. The During the parliamentary session assignment falls on Forsskål’s former teacher, 1760 –1762, issues concerning freedom of the press appear on the national Carl Linnaeus (1707 –1778), who only manages to political agenda for the first time. A press freedom committee is formed return 79 of 500 copies. Possession or resale of and given the task to prepare the the work renders hefty fines. matter further.

1765 William Blackstone publishes the first part of Commentaries 1765 on the laws of England.

MEMORIAL ON FREEDOM After 25 years in opposition, the Caps is in government. They initiate a compre­hensive constitutional revision, which includes the question of free- dom of the press. The priest Anders Chydenius (1729 –1803), later known as ‘The Nordic ’, is a driving force and author behind one of the three pleas for freedom of the press submitted to parliament. ‘No evidence should be Both Peter Forsskål and Anders Chydenius were born in present-day , at the time an integrated part needed that a certain freedom of writing and printing is one of the Kingdom of Sweden. Painting by Per Fjällström (1719 –1790). of the strongest bulwarks of a free organisation of the state,’ Chydenius concludes in his memorial. -

(1710 –1771)

King Adolphus Frederick ) § 6 ( whether they were produced in the whether they were produced in the DOUBLE MILESTONE hereafter [...].’ include all exchanges of correspon- protocols, judgments and awards, past or will be initiated, maintained, presented, conducted and issued This freedom of the press will further This freedom of the press will further from public agencies, parliament and from public agencies, parliament and fore any similar freedom of information fore any principle of public access to informa- legalisation in the world, this principle legalisation in the world, this principle tion, which makes it legal to publish tion, which makes it legal to publish the cornerstones of the Swedish the cornerstones of the Swedish dence, species facti, documents, dence, species facti, documents, and read the minutes and documents and read the minutes and documents government. Founded 200 years be government. Founded of public availability is still one of of public availability is still one of Constitution. Constitution. The act also breaks ground for the The act also breaks ground for the ‘ - - - 1766 - ) from a lawful freedom of a lawful freedom from writing and of [...] the press, issued previously matter [...] may be removed.’ on this We [the King] have [the graciously decided that the regulations We ‘Having considered the great ‘Having considered advantages that flow to the public § 5 ( TT / compared to the DN

Photo: Fredrik Funck/ Fredrik Photo:

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tive censorship is abolished, except tive censorship is abolished, except the Freedom of the Press Act, preven- of the Press the Freedom

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and 1809, 75% 1809, and printed are Of the political pamphlets Of the political pamphlets

THE WORLD’S FIRST PRESS FREEDOM OF THE ACT THE WORLD’S ‘ UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

‘THE KING IS SHOT!’ The economically costly war against Russia and the re-­ introduced royal powers lead to a con­spiracy formed within Swedish nobility against the king. On 16 March 1792 Gustav III is shot during a masquerade ball in Stockholm. However, it takes two weeks THE ‘IRON YEARS’, 1791 before the king dies, and the publishes 1792 –1809 planned coup is interrupted. The Rights of Man. First Amendment is passed In place of the still underage in the US. King Gustav IV Adolf (1778–1837) Sweden is governed by regency 1790 1789 between 1792 and 1797. For fear of The French National Constituent Assembly Newspapers and weekly magazines passes the Declaration the opposition and of revolutionary are prohibited to write anything that of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. ideas from France the new king’s concerns the unrest in France. In 1791 book printers are also prohibited to reign is soon marked by increasingly 1788 mention ‘the French matters’. Friedrich Wilhelm II issues the Renewed Censorship repressive policies. The period Edict in Prussia. is referred to as the iron years’, not least for the many restrictions 1785 on freedom of expression. 1781 Joseph II of Austria issues Privilege requirements are introduced Basic Rules for Determining for the periodical press. In practice, a Favorable Future Censor- it is a publication permit that gives the ship of Books. authorities the right to prevent the spread of a newspaper or magazine 1776 Virginia Declaration of by revoking the licence for further Rights is passed in the US. publishing (the so-called ‘withdrawal power’). The same year censorship of the theatre is introduced. 1774 The Gustavian Age, 1772 –1809 KING ISSUES RESTRICTIONS In 1772, only six years Two years after seizing power, Gustav III presents following the passing of the Freedom of the Press an alternative Freedom of the Press Act. It is written Act, King Gustav III in permissive terms, but leaves it to the king’s (1746 –1792) carries out discretion to determine what gets printed. Penalties a coup d’état, which are made more severe and infringements can in strengthens the monarchy many cases lead to execution. The act also increases and abolishes parlia­ the responsibility of book printers and introduces mentary dominance. strong limitations on the principle of access to Public discussions about public information. past political parties ‘It is primarily you [] that we humans have to thank for are banned, and free being able to overcome and destroy the obstacles that have been placed in our way by ignorance, fanaticism and wrongful policy. Perhaps you will say thanks to this decree that freedom of press political opinion-­ is more widespread in Sweden than in any other country [...].’ Photo: Uppsala University/Magnus Hjalmarsson. forming is repealed.

1770 Denmark introduces un- restricted freedom of the press. The law is retracted 13 months later.

Gustav III often presented himself as a true man of 1769 the Enlightenment, and sent Liberal censorship laws the new law to the philoso- passed in Bavaria. pher Voltaire (1694 –1778) along with a personal letter in which he praised the 1767 addressee. No known reply from Voltaire exists. publishes her Painting by Lorens Pasch (1733 –1805). Instruction. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

FREEDOM OF PRESS SETBACK Following the assassination of King Gustav III a new Freedom of the Press Act is passed. It partially relates to the 1766 law, but has no penal provisions and is therefore almost useless as a legal tool. A first revision is done already after five months. This is followed by successive tightening of the law. The principle 1792 of access to public information is now removed.

1796 Catherine the Great abol- 1793 ishes free press in Russia.

1798 PROMINENT POET BANISHED Constitutional guarantee for freedom of expression 1798 The poet Thomas Thorild (1759 –1808) is sen- is issued in the Netherlands. Freedom of the press is King Gustav IV Adolf introduces, tenced to four years banishment after publishing issued in Switzerland. among other things, increased On the Freedom of Common Sense (Om det privilege requirements for periodical 1799 publications. Around the turn of the allmänna förståndets frihet), in which he called Preventive censorship is re-imposed in Denmark. century several newspapers lose their for unrestricted freedom of expression and publishing permit and a large number are subject to censorship. universal suffrage. In the eyes of the court, 1800 Russia bans import of however, the incitement to revolution found books. in the introduction is even more problematic: ‘Give us then the freedom of public under­ standing, honest and clean: before it with blood and violence is taken.’ 1802

CENSORSHIP 1803 TIGHTENED The import of Danish books and The chancellor of the magazines is prohibited. A year later the ban is extended to also include royal court is instructed French publications. The ban comes to monitor the production at a time when the conflict between Sweden and the newly crowned and distribution of all French Emperor Napoleon (1769 – printed publications in 1821) has become acute. the country. Extensive restrictions on libraries and book auctions are 1808 also introduced. King Gustav IV Adolf shows foreign newspapers the door. Swede C. F. Ehrensvärd (1767 –1815), Satirical drawing by Per Otto Adelborg (1781 –1818). living in Copenhagen, Denmark, Reproduction: Andrea Davis Kronlund, National Library of Sweden. protests against the ban on importing foreign printed material by attaching leaflets to balloons and sending them across the strait to Sweden. The startling approach makes the pub- lication known as the ‘Balloon Placard’.

DETHRONEMENT AND NEW INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT On 10 May 1809 Gustav IV Adolf is deposed in a coup. A new instrument of government again makes the freedom of the press 1810 and the principle of access to A MODERN PRESS FREEDOM TAKES SHAPE public information constitutionally protected rights. In the country’s A renewed Freedom of the Press Act is former eastern part, Finland, passed for the first time since 1792. The new that same year lost to Russia, act regulates in detail the freedom of press the freedom of the press decree similar to the principles of 1766 and reinstates the principle of access to public information. from 1792 remains well into Preventive censorship reviews of religious the 1820s. writings are abolished, and only the Chancellor of Justice can prosecute cases under freedom of the press. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

‘The more public the debate, the more refined the arguments.’ Writer and feminist pioneer Ellen Key, 1889.

1887 A prosecution campaign against newspapers with Social Democratic ideologies begins. Between 1887 and 1889, there are 14 individual criminal charges under freedom of the press against the Social Democratic papers. Nine of the cases result in imprison- ment. 1884

August Strindberg is con- Swedish Queen Sophia (on the left) laments the acquittal sidered one of Sweden’s of Strindberg in the company of the Swedish Justice 1881 most well-known writers Minister Nils von Steyern (1839 –1899) and parliamentary Law on the freedom of the and playwrights of all time. member C. O. Berg (1839 –1903). Satirical drawing by press issued in France. Photo: Selfportrait/National Edvard Forsström (1854 –1934). Reproduction: Library of Sweden. Andrea Davis Kronlund, National Library of Sweden. 1874 The Imperial Press Law issued in Germany. 1874 The Swedish Publicists’ Association (Publicistklubben) is formed in order to STRINDBERG ON TRIAL! raise the status of and public confidence in the press. The trial of August Strindberg’s (1849 – 1912) short-story collection Getting

Married (Giftas) belongs to the most 1869 Publication Ordinance of 1872 famous historical cases of Swedish press 1869 issued in Japan. 1859 The mandatory censor preview of publishes freedom. The charges relate primarily On Liberty. plays intended to be performed on stage is abolished. 1858 to the short story The Reward of Virtue First message sent via the transatlantic telegraph (‘Dygdens lön’) and its presumed blas­ cable. 1857 phemous description of the protagonist’s Regional censorship issued in the Ottoman Empire.

experience of communion, or as it says 1854 General Federal Provisions Regarding the Abuse of the in the indictment: ‘blasphemy against Press issued in Germany. God or mockery of God’s word or the 1853 King Oscar I (1799 –1859) presents sacraments.’ Strindberg’s lampoon of a bill to repeal the constitutional pro- what is perceived to be the Swedish tection of the freedom of the press. 1849 The purpose is to introduce further Fyodor Dostoyevsky is Queen Sophia (1836 –1913) in the same arrested for participating restrictions in Swedish press freedom, in meeting on freedom of expression. including freedom of information. collection may be a contributing factor The bill is rejected by parliament 1848 Statuto Albertino (later in 1856. to the charges brought. Strindberg, the Constitution of unified Italy) grants freedom of however, leaves the battle victorious the press. and is cleared of the charges. 1844 The ‘withdrawal power’ is revoked. Any interference in the freedom of the press is now only possible after court proceedings.

1835 The July Monarchy issues laws to restrict freedom of press in France.

1832 Liberal press law passed in 1835 the Republic of Baden.

1829 Preventive censorship is issued in Finland. THE ‘WITHDRAWAL POWER’ IS CHALLENGED

1826 Censorship Statute (‘Iron With support of the ‘withdrawal power’ the liberal newspaper Statute’) approved in Russia. Aftonbladet has its publishing rights revoked 14 times between 1819 The Carlsbad Decrees expands censorship of 1835 and 1838. Because the withdrawals can only be the press in the German Confederation. directed against the editor-in-chief, in this case the founder

1814 The Constitution of Norway Lars Johan Hierta (1801 –1872), a new editor-in-chief is promoted includes freedom to print. for every new withdrawal. For each withdrawal, the news­paper 1812 Article 371 of the Spanish Constitution of Cádiz intro- is published under a new name, from The New Aftonbladet, duces freedom of press. The Third Aftonbladet, and so on. During this process, Hierta is prosecuted a total of eight times.

NEW RESTRICTIONS Yet another renewed Freedom of the Press Act imposes restrictions, particularly for the periodical press. The so-called ‘withdrawal power’ (to revoke licences for further publishing) from 1785 is reintroduced. The chancellor of the royal court can revoke printing permission if writing is deemed ‘dangerous to

1812 public safety’. The act remains with certain changes until 1949. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

WORLD WAR I AND BETWEEN THE WARS 1893 During World War I, 99 criminal charges are brought against newspapers. The Swedish Writers’ Union (as of 1971 Sveriges Författarförbund) is created. A third of these concern ‘reviews and More than 120 years later it is the opinions about contemporary nations largest writers’ union in Scandinavia 1895 Oscar Wilde sentenced to with more than 3,000 members, writing two years hard labor for or states that are abusive, assailing or in at least 30 different languages. committing ‘indecent acts’. intended to create discord with foreign powers.’ Also, the self-regulating system that Swedish press is still 1901 working under is now developed, The Swedish Union of Journalists (as of principally thanks to the formation 1950 Svenska Journalistförbundet) is created. Some 115 years later the union of the Swedish Press Council in 1916. has approximately 17,500 members.

1911 Film censorship by the state is intro- duced. It is formally lifted in 2011.

1917 Decree on the Press is published in Russia, giving the Council of Commissars 1918 the right to close down 1916 Article 118 of The Weimar newspapers which advo- Constitution forbids cate resistance to the censorship. new authorities or sows ’confusion by the obvious distortion of facts’. 1919 Founding of the League FIRST PRESS COUNCIL of Nations in Geneva.

1921 James Joyce’s Ulysses IN THE WORLD banned in the US.

Founding of PEN (Poets, Essayists, Novelists) The Swedish Press Council (Pressens in London. Opinionsnämnd, PON) is formed. The council is the oldest of its kind in the 1922 world and its purpose is to resolve Swedish PEN is founded only one year disputes between newspapers, and after the original PEN Club in London, making it one of the oldest PEN centres between newspapers and the public. in the world. The same year the first rules about press ethics are adopted. With a view

1925 Benito Mussolini intro­ to create a stronger protection for indi- 1925 duces press laws, requiring all journalists to be officially listed in viduals, in 1969 the Press Ombudsman Swedish Radio starts broadcasting the Ordine dei giornalisti. on New Year’s Day 1925. (Allmänhetens Pressombudsman, PO) is established. 1926 International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is founded in Paris.

1933 The Editors Law forbids 1933 ‘non-Aryans’ to work 1933 in journalism in Nazi Germany.

Torgny Segerstedt depicted on a Swedish stamp com - THE KRUSENSTJERNA FEUD memorating the centennial anniversary of his birth in 1976. Image: Postmuseum, The Krusenstjerna feud is a Sweden. debate based on a series of novels by author Agnes von ‘HERR HITLER IS AN INSULT’ Krusenstjerna (1894 –1940), The editor-in-chief of Göteborgs Handels- och whose overtly sexual and even Sjöfarts­tidning, Torgny Segerstedt (1876 –1945), homosexual themes attracts publishes one of Swedish press history’s most debaters from all ideologies well-known articles. The article begins and ends and beliefs. The debate con­ with the words ‘Herr Hitler is an insult’ and tinues for two years. Despite results in a telegram from Hermann Goering numerous demands to inter­ threatening to take the matter further if the vene against ‘morally in­ writings don’t immediately cease. The event appropriate’ literature, she is the prelude to a long struggle between is not prosecuted. Segerstedt and the Nazi-German as well as the Swedish government during the coming war. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

‘Buy Swedish newspapers!’ is United Nations the headline for satire cartoonist established in ’s (1886 –1947) 1945 Ivar Starkenberg - depiction of the Minister of Jus New York. tice K. G. Westman (1876 –1944) as a watchful shadow in the - fictional district of ‘Greater free ­ dom’, published in the news ) paper Despite All! (Trots allt! in January 1942. Reproduction: Andrea Davis Kronlund, National Library of Sweden.

‘A free press – that is the weapon that may never be surrendered.’

MASS CONFISCATION 1942 Writer Vilhelm Moberg, 1940. Seventeen different newspapers are seized in the course of a single day after it is learned that they plan to jointly publish a number of testimonies concerning by German soldiers in Norwegian prisons. Göteborgs Handels- och Sjöfartstidning is unable to print its edition before special press violation monitors intervene and force them to remove the article. The editors leave the headline intact as a reminder of the practical effects 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt of censorship. Photo: National Archives, Norway. delivers his Four Freedoms speech.

1940 1940 US Congress passes the 1940 Smith Act. A bomb attack completely destroys the editorial offices of socialist paper Norrskensflamman in Luleå in northern Sweden. The attack follows in the ‘A SWEDE KEEPS QUIET’ wake of the paper’s commitment to The National Information Board (Statens Informa­­ ­ the Soviet Union during the ongoing Winter War against Finland, and is tionsstyrelse­ , SIS) is set up to inform, review considered the most grievous of its and control Swedish opinion making and press. kind in Sweden’s modern history. Five people are killed in the explosion. For the latter a press commission, Pressnämnden, is created as a ‘voluntary control system with the involvement of the press’. In 1941 the board launches the campaign En svensk tiger – with the double meaning of ‘A Swedish tiger’ and ‘A Swede keeps quiet’. Illustrated with a blue- and yellow-striped tiger, the campaign aims to underline the importance of vigilance and to be Photo: Susanne Lindholm/TT. strong in the current situation.

FREEDOM OF PRESS UNDER PRESSURE, 1939–1945 1939 Publicist Ture Nerman (1886 –1969) During World War II, the Swedish coalition government is prosecuted for the article ‘Hitler’s takes a number of measures to control the press; there Machine from Hell’. Nerman is convicted and sentenced to three months is concern that its long-standing neutrality might be imprisonment for ‘defamation of a compromised should the national press become too foreign power’. vocal in its opinions. Among other things, a transport ban gives the government the ability to prevent sensi- 1938 tive writings to be disseminated using public transport. Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet sentenced to 28 years in An outdated clause in the 1812 Freedom of the Press prison. Act also allows writings considered to cause ‘mis­ understandings with a foreign power’ to be seized. A special censorship law is also introduced but it is never activated. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

The Universal Declaration of Human 1948 Rights is adopted by the UN General NEW BEGINNINGS Assembly. Towards the end of World War II a committee is tasked to review the exist­ THE CURRENT FREEDOM ing press law from 1812. OF THE PRESS ACT The intention is to prevent 1949 restrictions­ of the kind that Four years after World War II, the Freedom occurred during the war of the Press Act that applies today comes years. A new act is adopted into effect. Source protection and whistle-­ in 1949 and since then blowing protection are among the new fea- Sweden has seen very few tures in the 1949 Freedom of the Press Act. freedom of the press pros- ecutions of importance. ‘The freedom of the press is understood to mean the right of every Swedish citizen 1950 European Convention on to publish written matter, without prior Human Rights adopted.

1954 hindrance by a public authority or other The First National People’s Congress lists freedom of the press as part of the first Constitution of the public body, and not to be prosecuted People’s Republic of China. 1956 1965 thereafter on grounds of its content other Writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer imprisoned First national television broadcasts. than before a lawful court [...].’ in Indonesia. 1966 The Freedom of Information (Freedom of the Press Act, article 1.) Act adopted in the US. 1967 1969 First Internet message transmitted. The author Ing-Marie Eriksson (b. 1932) is convicted of defamation after several residents of the author’s childhood village felt they had been adversely singled out in the novel Märit (1965). 1973 Eriksson is sentenced to pay fines and damages.

1974 THE ‘IB’ EXPOSURE Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn deported from the Soviet 1976 Beginning in May 1973, journalists Jan Guillou Union. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) adopted. (b. 1944) and Peter Bratt (b. 1944), together with 1985 Founding of Reporters photographer Ove Holmqvist (b. 1941) and main Without Borders in Paris. 1987 Founding of Article 19. source Håkan Isacson (1943 –2002), publish a 1989 Ayatollah Khomeini 1991 series of articles revealing that secret intelligence issues fatwa against writer World Wide Web is Salman Rushdie. introduced.

agency ‘IB’, the so-called Information Office Signing of the Windhoek (Informationsbyrån), has conducted extensive Declaration in Namibia. registration of political left sympathisers in the country. The journalists are sentenced to one year in prison for espionage. A freedom of the press prosecution is also initiated, but is closed down. 1991

1993 Cities of Asylum Net- work (INCA) is founded THE FUNDAMENTAL LAW ON by the International Parlia- 1999 ment of Writers (IPW). FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Signing of the Bangkok Declaration. The Swedish parliament adopts the Fundamental Journalist ‘Peter Karlsson’ (pseudonym)

is seriously injured when a bomb 2000 Law on Freedom of Expression (Yttrandefrihets­ explodes in his car. The attack takes EU proclaims Charter of Fundamental Rights. grundlagen). It is Sweden’s newest addition to the place in conjunction with Karlsson’s

investigation of right-wing extremism 2001 Constitution and regulates freedom of expression and the white power culture. The Wikipedia launched. in audio-visual media, including radio, television, journalist’s eight-year-old son is also EU adopts regulation no. 1049/2001 on access to injured in the explosion. European Parliament, film and, to a certain extent, the internet. Council and Commission documents.

2001

PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE DAWIT ISAAK Swedish–Eritrean journalist and writer Dawit Isaak (b. 1964) is imprisoned in Eritrea. Isaak is the only Swede Amnesty International considers a prisoner of conscience and the only EU citizen imprisoned Dawit Isaak was arrested in Eritrea in September 2001, along with ten other independent journalists. for his opinions. On 23 September 2016, Isaak has He has still not received any trial. Photo: unknown. been detained for fifteen years. UNFOLDED. #ThisIsFreedom

CORRESPONDENT SHOT DEAD ‘This is Nils Horner, re­ porting for Radio Sweden In 2015 only 1,2% or from...’ In 2014, one of 4 of the 342 entries Swedish radio’s most for publication and well-known foreign cor­ respondent voices is violations lodged with silenced as Nils Horner the Chancellor of Justice (JK) went to (1962 –2014) is shot dead Photo: Staffan Sonning/Radio Sweden. on a street in Kabul, prosecution. Afghanistan. Since the 1970s, seven Swedish

journalists have been 29 journalists take legal

2015 action against EU over killed during assignments refusal to hand over files. The attack on abroad. 2014 Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

CURATORS OF SWEDEN

2014 2013 In 2011, Sweden becomes the first country WikiLeaks source army private Chelsea Manning Controversial street artist Dan Park charged for violations of in the world to hand over its official Twitter the US Espionage Act. (b. 1968) is sentenced to five months account, @sweden, to its citizens. The aim is White House launches the in prison for hate speech and de­ Open Government Initiative. famation after exhibiting nine racially to present Sweden through the mix of people Whistle-blower Edward challenging paintings at a gallery in Snowden reveals NSA it actually consists of, thereby conveying Malmö. The gallery owner is also surveillance activities. convicted of hate speech, but does not one Sweden, but several. Through the not receive a prison sentence. Curators of Sweden project, Sweden shows freedom of speech in practice.

2009 Maguindanao massacre 2009 leaves at least 34 journal- 2011 ists killed by Philippine militia, making it the worst Sweden is ranked no. 1 in the world single attack on the press according to Reporters Without in modern history. JOURNALISTS ARRESTED Borders World Press Freedom Index. Journalists Martin Schibbye (b. 1980) and Johan Persson (b. 1982) are arrested while 2008 reporting from the Ogaden territory in Ethiopia. After being charged using anti-terror legislation A new legislation allows the National they are sentenced to eleven years in prison. Defence Radio Establishment (För­ svarets radioanstalt, FRA) to monitor They are freed after 438 days. cable-­bound signals passing the Swedish border. To collect information, 2007 Turkish–Armenian editor however, FRA needs a court decision. Hrant Dink shot dead in Istanbul.

2007 2006 The murder of Anna Politkovskaya Swedish video tool Bambuser is in Russia. 2007 launched. The service allows users to WikiLeaks launches share video files in real time and have website. a major impact of the Arab Spring The Danish Muhammad when more than 10,000 video files cartoons controversy. THE LARS VILKS CONTROVERSY are shared during a single day. Founding of International Following the Muhammad drawings controversy Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN). in Denmark in 2006, the Vilks controversy begins Twitter launched. with a series of drawings by Swedish artist 2004 Facebook is founded. Lars Vilks (b. 1946) that depicts the Islamic OpenNet Initiative prophet Muhammad as a roundabout dog launched. (a form of street installation in Sweden). The controversy gains international attention The communication platform Skype is launched by Swedish entre- after a regional newspaper publishes one of preneur Niklas Zennström the drawings as part of an editorial on self-­ (b. 1966), Janus Friis from Denmark and Ahti Heinla, censorship and . An attack Priit Kasesalu and likely targeting Vilks in Copenhagen in 2015 Jaan Tallinn from Estonia. Software encryption makes leaves one person dead. Lars Vilks is still living it a favoured communications under police protection. tool by journalists and human rights activists. As of August 2015 over Photo: Lena Granefelt/ imagebank.sweden.se 300 million use Skype each month.

2003 It is now owned by Microsoft.