According to national surveys among Swedish journalists, a huge majority strongly endorse the professional goals of independent scrutinising of powerholders, gathering and distributing information to citizens to inform decisions in a democracy and giving a voice to the voiceless. The figures are high from a comparative perspective (Strömbäck et al., 2012).
According to national interviews, investigative reporting is considered the top priority in leading news organisations. Professional and democratic aspirations are accompanied by a commercial interest in reader revenues. The journalists’ union stressed the increased workload of journalists when newsrooms are downsized and expressed concern about the professional identity of those who combine journalistic freelance work or short-term employments with other kinds of communication and information occupations. The union monitors native advertising and issues warnings when professional conduct may be threatened.
In the regional interviews, media representatives said that investigative journalism remains poorly developed, with no regional media having journalists or routines designed for investigative journalism. When such journalism does occur, it is more likely to be the result of ad hoc decisions than of long-term editorial planning – similar to the situation in 2011 (see von Krogh & Nord, 2011). Analyses of regional media newsroom practices have even been referred to as a possible de-professionalisation of journalism on the regional level (Nygren, 2008).
Leading national news media in Sweden must be considered highly professional and with sufficient and sustainable resources to maintain basic democratic functions, including independent investigative journalism.
