To avoid being misled by false news, we first need to know what real news is. With that starting point, journalist and author Erik Fichtelius visits Åsadalen to speak about the importance of journalism for democracy.

Soon we will be voting in municipal, regional and parliamentary elections. The road to the ballot box is lined with extremist influencers, trolls and AI bots doing everything they can to influence how we cast our votes.

One way of influencing public opinion is through so‑called ‘alternative facts’, by distorting reality and, quite simply, lying straight to our faces. Our defence against such tactics is critical source evaluation – and the courage to trust that established media put the truth first during the election campaign.

Truths and lies
Journalist and author Erik Fichtelius does not doubt that they will.

– Major newsrooms are more aware of the risks than ever before. Everyone has launched ambitious coverage based on voters’ interests, and many have dedicated verification desks to keep track of fake news and alternative facts, he says.

Fichtelius is one of the country’s most experienced and award‑winning journalists. Since the late 1960s, he worked for many years in public service broadcasting: Swedish Television, Swedish Radio and the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company.

He has twice received the Grand Journalism Prize, written several books, is an honorary doctor of media and communication studies, and serves on the Broadcasting Commission for Radio and Television.

On Tuesday 21 April, he will lecture at Åsa and the democracy festival Åsadalen’s third evening event of the spring. The theme is Truths and Lies in the Election Campaign.

Neutral as to consequences
Fichtelius will talk about the importance of accurate, impartial journalism – news delivered without editorial offices or individual reporters pursuing their own agendas, for example regarding how politics should be shaped.

He stresses that facts and truths must be communicated regardless of the consequences for those involved or for society at large. From this perspective, Fichtelius has coined the term ‘consequence neutrality’.

In an age of extremist propaganda and fake news, media organisations must have the strength and stamina to stand firm, Fichtelius argues. He points to two problem areas that make this more difficult.

One is the increasingly severe threats and hatred from extremist groups, which have made many newsrooms and reporters more cautious. The other concerns economic challenges:

Politics must defend journalism
– The big tech giants are taking the press’s advertising revenues, and public service broadcasting has been starved of funding. This is a major threat to genuine news – and therefore to democracy, he says.

How clearly do you think our politicians stand up to lies, half‑truths and undue influence?

– It’s hard to tar everyone with the same brush. Some even contribute to lies and disinformation. The unwillingness and inability to respond to the media’s legitimate questions also causes problems. Many politicians give parrot‑fashion answers and leave no room for follow‑up questions. Here, politics should do more to defend journalism.

More panel guests
After the lecture, a panel discussion will be held on the lecture theme. Fichtelius will be joined on the panel by:

• Jonathan Törnstrand, editorial writer at NTM Media, which among other publications produces Katrineholms‑Kuriren, Eskilstuna‑Kuriren and Norrköpings Tidningar. He has held several positions within the Liberal party, including Chair of the Liberal Youth of Södermanland.
• Elinor Sundén, from Nyköping, who is the Left party’s leading candidate in this year’s regional election in Södermanland. During the current term, she has held several political posts in the region and worked as a political secretary for the party.
• Malin S Karlsson, who, in addition to being the Sweden Democrats’ opposition councillor in Nyköping municipality, has held a number of regional political positions, including on the regional executive board. She also works as a political secretary for the Sweden Democrats in the region.
• Poyan Sandnell, an entrepreneur, well‑known local figure in Katrineholm and new to politics. He is standing for election to the municipal council for the newly formed party Katrineholm Framåt, which he co‑founded after leaving the Moderate party.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Johanna Iggsten, a former journalist and now regional education consultant at Länsbildningsförbundet Sörmland.

Text: Henrik Wising
Photo: Thron Ullberg

The event starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday 21 April in the A hall. Free admission.