Cissi Wallin was convicted today of grievous slander by Fredrik Virtanen after posting allegations of rape on Instagram. Freedom of speech expert Nils Funcke tells Culture News that he is hesitant about the convict.

- I don't think the district court gives Fredrik Virtanen the role in the public conversation he actually had. He was not only a reporter in the general public, but a very leading chronicler of the largest newspaper in the Nordic countries, who argued thoroughly and emphatically about women's rights, he says and continues:

-When a public person expresses himself in one way but obviously behaves in a different way in reality, then I think it is justifiable to argue this difference between the action and the argument.

"Metoo becomes a dragonfly that disappears"

Nils Funcke points out that each advocacy case is unique and should not affect freedom of expression, but also that this can be perceived differently by women in particular.

-If you interpret this judgment as society does not take this seriously, then of course there is a risk that it will leave a wet blanket on the whole discussion and that metoo will become a day-dragon who disappears without leaving any traces in society.

Cissi Wallin stated after the verdict was announced that she intended to appeal it to the High Court, something that Nils Funcke agrees with.

-I think it would be a relief if this judgment was tried in a higher instance. I think the district court's argument is weak on several crucial points, he says.

-It might as well have ended up in a free judgment.