M: "Narrower and sharper" public service should be financed with less tax revenue

In a press release, the party board states that high-quality public service plays an important role in a democratic society and that it must therefore be reformed. Ahead of the party meeting in Västerås on October 17-20, the party board proposes that a working group be appointed to develop the Moderates media policy on public service.

- Our starting point is that public service plays an important role in society, but in order to safeguard the core mission and trust over the long term, we believe it is the right time to talk about the content of public service, says Moderates Party Secretary Gunnar Strömmer.

The working group should have the aim set on the broadcasting permit which will start to apply in 2026 and cover four areas: assignments, requirements for impartiality and objectivity, funding, and governance and follow-up.

The press release states that the Moderate Party Board wants public service to receive a "narrower and sharper" assignment in other areas of society where commercial media does not work. At the same time, entertainment and sports should also be able to be produced by public service "in some cases".

- Narrower and sharper means an increased focus on what is at the heart of the assignment. Our point is not that public service cannot devote to sports and entertainment, but it feels natural that public service should focus on what is unique to public service, says Gunnar Strömmer.

Financing will also come from tax funds in the future, but "overall, however, public service should receive significantly less tax revenue, as a result of a more streamlined assignment", the press release states.

- If you streamline the assignment and to a lesser extent do other things, it is natural that it is a continued tax financing but at a lower level than before, says Gunnar Strömmer, who does not want to specify how much less it should be about.

The moderate party board also writes in the press release that publicist independence must be protected, but that the non-publicist activities should be evaluated, for example through the OAG.