Public service is the unified concept for SVT, SR and UR. Previously, these companies were financed with a special license fee. The business is now tax-financed.

Although confidence in public service has decreased somewhat over time, it is still high. According to the Confidence Barometer, six out of ten Swedes have confidence in SVT. In fact, confidence in SVT has also increased over the past year.

At the same time, the SOM Institute's surveys show that public service confidence is becoming increasingly polarized. Here another development can be discerned: People who consider themselves far right politically have a much lower confidence in public service. The lowest confidence has voters who sympathize with the Sweden Democrats.

This opinion development also has an impact on social media where media criticism is often extensive.

KD and M follow SD

The Swedish Democrats are the party that has been most clear in its criticism of SVT. Thus, both the Christian Democrats and the Moderates are following suit to try to secure the right flank in media politics.

Although the Moderates as a party have not made themselves very clear in the media policy, many individual representatives drive harsh media criticism, often against SVT, on social media. There is no doubt that the criticism of public service is widespread within the party. For example, the largest party district, Stockholm, has demanded that public service be abolished altogether.

The criticism in the party is mainly about the notion that the news and community surveillance within SVT is angular and left-wing. This picture is clear when talking to moderates here at the meeting in Västerås.

It is thus rather these public opinion streams rather than some widespread public dissatisfaction with public service that the Moderates are now trying to capture through a stricter public service policy.

To be resolved with compromise

The changed funding of SVT, SR and UR also contributes to this issue being brought up to date. The transition from license to tax financing has opened up a debate where public service grants are made directly against grants to other public sector activities, such as police, school or defense.

Despite the requirements to abolish public service, the party leadership is trying to resolve the issue with a compromise, which means that the issue should be investigated, and that any changes should come into effect only in 2026.

Politically, however, the proposed changes can have a major impact on public service: SVT will be given a narrower assignment with less entertainment and less sports. Tax financing is to be reduced at the same time as the control is tightened regarding objectivity and impartiality. Strict penalties for violations should also be investigated, according to the Moderates.

However, no one in the party leadership believes that the Moderates will win any election on this issue. And that is in all likelihood a correct assessment.

When DN / Ipsos examined public opinion on the issue this summer, it turned out that only 18 per cent of Swedes in the long term want to shut down public service. The question is thus not a given election winner for the Moderates.