It was in May last year that Expressen reported that Jospehine Freje had a "drug factory" at home.
The freelance journalist's husband was then charged with drug offenses after growing a few cannabis plants in the couple's house, something he admitted in police interrogation.
According to the couple, the drugs should have been a way for him to relieve a severe and chronic headache.
The journalist, who actually worked as a freelancer, objected to Expressen publishing her name and picture, even though she herself was not charged with a crime.
She also said that she freelanced more for Expressen than for Swedish Radio.
Violated publicist practice
Both the freelance journalist and her husband then reported the newspaper to the media ombudsman, who referred the matter to the Media Ethics Committee.
A decision from the Media Ethics Committee states that the newspaper has caused both persons an "unjustifiable publicity damage", through designated information and far-reaching concepts such as that the couple ran a "drug factory".
- These accusations went out to a very large circle.
Our neighbors, our colleagues, all immediately understood who it was.
It has been hell, says Freje.
Respects the board's decision
Expressen's editor-in-chief and responsible publisher, Klas Granström, writes in an email to Kulturnyheterna that he states that assessments have been made other than Expressen and that he of course respects the committee's decision:
“We are constantly trying to develop our processes.
Publications made by the Media Ethics Committee are part of that work. ”