Sveriges Radio is Sweden’s public radio broadcast company, with 26 local channels and the Nordic region’s largest network of foreign correspondents.
Media assets
Radio: National- P1, P2, P3, P4; Local- P4 Blekinge, P4 Dalarna, P4 Gotland, P4 Gävleborg, P4 Göteborg, P4 Halland, P4 Jämtland, P4 Jönköping, P4 Kalmar, P4 Kristianstad, P4 Kronoberg, P4 Malmöhus, P4 Norrbotten, P4 Sjuhärad, P4 Skaraborg, P4 Stockholm, P4 Sörmland, P4 Uppland, P4 Värmland, P4 Väst, P4 Västerbotten, P4 Västernorrland, P4 Västmanland, P4 Örebro, P4 Östergötland
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent Public (IP)
Ownership and governance
Sveriges Radio is a limited company owned by a foundation, which was established to protect the broadcaster from government pressure.
The foundation is the primary governing body for all public media in Sweden (SVT and Sveriges Radio). It consists of a board of 13 members appointed based on proposals from political parties, but not according to the parties’ power in government.
Technically, these members are appointed by the government. However, since the government does not have control over the foundation’s funding or the authority to impose its own members on the board, this structure effectively ensures the broadcaster’s independence. The foundation appoints the board of Sveriges Radio.
Source of funding and budget
Since 2019, Sveriges Radio has been financed by a public service fee that is based on income and collected as a tax. The broadcaster is funded in the same way as SVT.
In 2022, Sveriges Radio had a total budget of SEK 3.2bn (US$ 300m), most of it coming from the public service fee paid by all of the country’s citizens, as reported by the station. In 2023, Sveriges Radio had a budget of SEK 3.20bn (US$ 294m).
Editorial independence
According to our research for this project, there is no evidence of the government imposing any rules on Sveriges Radio’s editorial coverage. The station is recognized for its editorial independence and high-quality programming.
A broadcasting permit issued by the government to Sveriges Radio for the period 2020-2025 acts like a charter between the two parties, ensuring the station’s editorial independence.
The permit specifies that the station must carry out radio operations in the public interest and that these operations should be marked by independence and integrity and free from economic, political, and other external influences.
The exact independent assessment mechanisms in place for SVT apply to Sveriges Radioas well.
August 2024