Can those in power dictate the terms when they join SVT?

On Monday, it was clear that the migration policy negotiations had broken down. An internal political quarrel between the Moderates and the Social Democrats broke out.

It was the top news that we watched extensively both on svt.se and in Report and Current Affairs. But there was a chin. The Social Democrats declined to participate in Aktuellt, and the editors therefore chose to invite the Moderates and the Center Party to debate the issue. The fact that the Social Democrats refused to participate was reported by the program manager.

When the Morning Studio asked Morgan Johansson for participation, he accepted the interview but refused via his press secretary to debate with the Moderates. The result was an interview with him and one with Moderates Maria Malmer Stenergard.

We considered that it was nevertheless of great public interest to hear what the responsible minister had to say and were also fully open to the Minister's demands. It is important that the viewers learn about the conditions.

It was reasonable to have Morgan Johansson. He is the responsible Minister for Migration and when the Migration Committee negotiations crash, his statement is of great interest. Despite refusing debate, he chose to attack the Moderate Maria Malmer Stenergard. In retrospect, we can conclude that she should have been able to respond to the criticism that Morgan Johansson made. There we have reason to be self-critical.

Is it common for requirements or conditions to be set this way? Yes, it happens both from politicians and other holders of power. Is it common for SVT News to join them? No, it's not. The few times we do that we are open with it. Viewers should always know the conditions.

It is none other than SVT News that decides on the content and conditions for our journalism. Wishes and demands can come from politicians, organizations, authorities and individuals. But we decide. It is unusual for us to agree to a demand from a minister. In this particular case, we considered it a priority to be able to present the minister's arguments for the public's sake.