Media is Important (continued)
Newspapers are printed on a kind of thin paper called newsprint. Images and texts end up on newsprint when ink is pressed against the paper in a pattern. In Sweden and other countries where everyone is allowed to press any text and any images, there is freedom of the press. Therefore, newspapers and journalists are called the press. Nowadays radio and TV news and journalists are also part of the press.
• Strindberg was Sweden's greatest author of all times (like Shakespeare for the English-speaking countries). In a short story he wrote about the freedom that the press had in the early 20th century:
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Paul started to read: Freedom of Speech Act. §1 Every citizen has complete freedom to express himself in print! -Hurrah! answered the Malcontents. Long Live Freedom! §2, read Paul, the pure Evangelical doctrine of heaven and hell shall not,... be subject to needless criticism. -Ohh! said the malcontents. That was just what was first up to be criticized. (Mr F's translation) |
• In Sweden today, two Fundamental Laws (in the constitution) guarantee that everyone may express themselves freely:
• When it comes to newspapers and books, there is The Fundamental Law on Freedom of the Press (TF, Tryckfrihetsförordningen).
• For radio, tv & the Internet there is The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (YGL, Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen).
• Everyone has the right to express themselves freely in newspapers and in books according to TF, and on radio, TV, and the Internet according to YGL. Adults may watch any films they want to at cinemas/movie theaters, but kids are kept away from seriously violent and upsetting movies.
â–º Sweden's constitution is made up of 4 fundamental laws. These laws are so important that they are extra difficult to change. Two of them are about freedom of expression and of the press. What are those two called?
â–º220 What does the current Fundamental Law on Freedom of the Press say?
â–º What is the difference compared to the Act (law) which applied in Strindberg's day?
â–º Which government agency censors newspapers before they are printed? Note! Tricky question!
The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, in Swedish YGL (yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen), was adopted as late as 1992.
â–º Why did people think that there was a need for still another fundamental law?
â–º220-221 What is the difference between Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression and that about Freedom of the Press?
â–º Voltaire talked about the right to say whatever you want to. Freedom of Expression is taken for granted in the Western World (EU, US, etc), as is considerable freedom of the press. However, when it comes to images (on TV, in film), limits are hotly debated. Read what two people think, and write what you think. Back up your answers!
• Person B: Violence in media leads to violence in reality. Society has to protect itself by censoring!
• Person A: Anyone ought to be able to say or show anything in the media, even violence.
â–º What should not be allowed on TV and in films that are shown at cinemas (movie theaters)? Why?
â–º What does "freedom of the press" in Sweden mean?
—Answer: Anyone can start a newspaper, a blog, etc. and write anything they want to.
â–º In many countries, the state runs the mass media. How is it in Sweden?
â–º Should racists be allowed to write anything they want in blogs? Why or why not?
