Freedom of Expression in the Digital Media Culture : a study of public opinion in Sweden

In the national SOM-Survey that was reported last year, it was shown that Swedes considered protecting people's integrity more important than free speech. Nordicom is now publishing the book "Freedom of Expression in the Digital Media Culture", which investigates the position of free speech in our digital society. According to the national SOM-survey, almost two thirds of Swedes expressed the view that there were grounds for restricting freedom of expression in order to protect children and young people, and a majority believed that restrictions were motivated pr prevent the violation of individuals, combat racism and protect national security. The results were presented in a chapter in the research anthology "Larmar och gör sig till". Nordicom is now publishing and edited version of the chapter as an independent publication. "Globalization, geopolitics and technology shape ree speech in today's society, but when freedom of expression meets technological development, such as digitalization, a dilemma arises. Particularly difficult is the balance between freedom of expression and integrity", says Ulla Carlsson, one of the authors. Freedom of Expression in the Digital Media Culture is written by Ulla Carlsson, Professor and UNESCO Chair in Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Global Policy at the University of Gothenburg, and Lennart Weibull, Professor Emeritus in Mass Media Research and Senior Professor at the SOM-Institute.