Everything you need to know about the new foreign espionage laws

In November, the Riksdag voted through the new laws on foreign espionage – something that has met with strong criticism from both the media industry and former whistleblowers. Photo: Johannes Jansson. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Vilma Ellemark

On January 1, the controversial foreign espionage laws came into force in Sweden. Critics fear that the laws make it more difficult for journalists and whistleblowers to report on wrongdoing in international collaborations. But how can espionage laws restrict the media? And why were the laws voted through despite the criticism? The development magazine explains what you need to know about the law changes.

January 13, 2023, Development magazine explains

Week 46: Debaters criticize Sweden's climate policy and new constitutional amendment

In connection with the COP27 climate meeting, several debaters criticized Sweden's climate policy. Photo: Tim Dennell. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sandra Duru and Vilma Ellemark

The UN climate summit in Egypt has raised questions about Sweden's climate policy and responsibility internationally. Several debaters also criticize the Swedish constitutional amendment on foreign espionage, which they believe makes it more difficult to review international collaborations. 

November 23, 2022, Current debate

Do not let the corona knock out democracy!

In several countries, the police and military brutally beat down people who violate the curfew. Photo: Gerd Altmann / Pixabay

Of: Anna Stenwinkel

Increased police violence, censorship and attacks on the opposition. These are some of the effects of more and more authoritarian regimes around the world using the corona crisis to gain more power. The aid organization Forum Syd is now calling on the government to use the democracy initiative to protect democracy and human rights from the coronavirus.

April 27, 2020, Debate

China's ambassador creates outrage on leaders' sides

China's ambassador to Sweden has created a debate following his threats and pressure on journalists.

Of: Rebecka Rönnegård

What consequences will there be for China's ambassador to Sweden after a series of undemocratic initiatives? This is a question that several editorial boards have asked themselves in the past week. In addition, the World Economic Forum is considered to be characterized by the climate crisis for the first time.

January 22, 2020, Current debate

The outside world should keep an eye on Belarus

Since President Alexander Lukashenko came to power in 1994, no elections in the country have been considered free and fair by the outside world, writes Goran Miletic. Photo: Russian Presidential Office (CC BY 4.0)

Of: Goran Miletic

The Belarusian parliamentary elections two weeks ago confirmed what many of us already knew - the country has a very long way to go in terms of democracy. This year's election results - where no one from the opposition was elected to parliament - give the outside world further reasons to monitor developments in the country ahead of next year's presidential election. The general human rights situation in Belarus (formerly Belarus) […]

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December 3, 2019, Guest chronicle

Myanmar's climate activists are fighting natural disasters and demonstration taboos

Although many parents are opposed to demonstrations, the young people in Climate Strike Myanmar continue to struggle with climate strikes and demonstrations.

Of: Veronica Sällemark

The climate strike that Greta Thunberg started last year has spread all over the world. FUF's correspondent met two climate activists in Myanmar - a country that is hard hit by climate change.

August 26, 2019, FUF-correspondents

When truth and lies can cost you your life

Many journalists around the world are threatened because of their work. According to Reporters Without Borders, hostility to free media is increasing globally. Photo: Art Comments / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Of: Marika Ploman

The situation for journalists around the world is getting tougher. Political leaders oppress, persecute and prevent reporters in their work and freedom of expression and democracy are threatened in many places. Rowa Alkhatib is one of the many vulnerable journalists who fled their country to save their lives.

July 3, 2019, Report

The climate issue takes place in the debate ahead of the EU elections

Is nuclear power a solution for sustaining growth and reducing emissions? It was discussed this week between M and MP. Pixabay photo

Of: Erica Fahlström

How can the EU lead the global climate and environmental work forward? Over the past week, there has been a discussion on, among other things, growth policy versus sustainability, the relationship of climate change to public health, the loss of biodiversity and freedom of the press - and debaters have particularly emphasized the importance of prioritizing these issues in the EU.

May 8, 2019, Current debate

Swedish arms trade makes it more difficult for civil societies

Of: Annie Matundu Mbambi, Annika Forests, Ayo Ayoola-Amale, Edwick Madzimure, Micheline Muzaneza, Pascasie Barampama and Sylvie N'dongmo

Democratic space is shrinking and voices are being silenced. Around the world, freedom of expression has become increasingly threatened. Now Sweden must take its responsibility and stop exporting weapons to countries that imprison human rights activists and restrict freedom of assembly, writes the International Women's Union for Peace and Freedom.

June 20, 2017, Debate

Sweden needs a new investigative foreign journalism

Of: Nils Traveller

Swedish foreign journalism has been dismantled in recent years. The articles are becoming shorter, the reviews fewer and the foreign newsrooms are increasingly relying on material from foreign news agencies. Not even the great Swedish development assistance is today significantly examined by journalists. That is why we are now starting the Blank Spot Project to monitor the world's white spots, writes journalist Nils Resare.

February 25, 2015, Debate