Sweden loves shrink pods . Several podcasts are devoted to going through the details of well-known criminal cases, often murders. The trial pod - which is based on clips from trials in Swedish courts - is one of the country's largest.
In addition, several burial journalists have made podcasts that have reviewed previous legal processes and some of these have resulted in raises and the release of previously convicted persons.
Prominent examples of the latter are the podcast Track and the Aftonbladet podden Fallet.
There are - as the introduction suggests - different types of shrink pods . The latter category is very close to such journalism that legal reporters have always used, although it is expressed in a new technical form.
In the first category there are several podcasts of more typical podcast format, where two or more people without strict scripting discuss different issues in a personal way, but in these cases focusing on just crime (like murder).
In many cases, relatives of murdered people have responded to podcasts of this kind. For example, the criticism has been that murders are dealt with in a swift and speculative way and that the interests of the survivors have not been respected.
What are the rules for the pods then?
In the first place, legal rules can be updated. Criminal law contains several restrictions on freedom of expression. One must not threaten, persuade or stir up. These restrictions also apply to podcasts.
There are some legal questions surrounding live broadcast podcasts, more specifically whether they should fall under the special basic rules that apply to radio and television. It is an unusual type of podcast so it can be left there in this context.
More interesting is media ethics.
One reason why the legal freedom of expression is so far-reaching in Sweden, it is usually said, is that the media itself is committed to following certain media ethical rules.
The press ethical system has more than a hundred years of history. Individuals who consider themselves to have been subjected to an overstamp by the press can turn to the General Press Ombudsman and then to the Press Opinions Committee, which examines whether the press ethical rules are being violated.
When it comes to radio and television, there is a similar system, which, however, does not rest on a voluntary construction but ultimately on legislation: the Review Board.
In addition to these two regulations, there are professional ethical rules for journalists.
None of these regulations include the typical pod. There are exceptions in some cases, when a podcast is made by a journalist or within the framework of a media platform. But overall, there is no opportunity for anyone who considers themselves exposed to anything unacceptable in a pod to report to anything other than the police.
The lack of ethical self-cleansing is a problem. It is a problem for those who have been hit by an overstamp. But it is also a problem for podcast Sweden.
For the big producers, this is a question of credibility: companies that make influential media products have a self-interest that there is a self-cleaning system that promotes ethical responsibility.
In addition, there are also the risks that helped to create the modern press ethical system. Without a working media ethic, there is always a danger that the legislature will push forward the positions.
In addition, when it comes to podcasts, there are generally no constitutional restrictions that limit a legislator who wants stricter rules.