Sample questions: The role of the media
Free media, the principle of public access, public service and source criticism.
In Sweden the media are free and protected by the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. The state cannot decide what the media say. The principle of public access means official documents held by public authorities are public unless they are classified, which lets journalists scrutinise how decisions were made. Anyone who gives information to the media has the right to remain anonymous. Newspapers, radio and TV have a responsible publisher who is legally answerable for what is published. Sveriges Radio, SVT and UR are public service: they must be independent, offer a broad range, may not be financed by advertising and are paid for through tax instead. Source criticism means checking and questioning whether information is correct.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
What does it mean that the media are free in Sweden?
- AThe state approves all news before publication
- BThe state cannot decide or influence what is said in the media
- CThe media may publish anything without any laws
- DOnly public service may report news
Correct answer: B. The state cannot decide or influence what is said in the media
Why: In a democracy such as Sweden the media are free. The fundamental laws on freedom of the press and freedom of expression protect the right to say freely what we think. The state cannot decide or influence what is said in the media.
What should journalists do to check that information is accurate?
- AUse only information from social media
- BAsk the government whether the information may be published
- CWait at least a month before publishing
- DCheck the information with several independent sources and that the sources are reliable
Correct answer: D. Check the information with several independent sources and that the sources are reliable
Why: Journalists should check information with several independent sources and check that the sources are reliable. Questioning and checking information is called being source-critical.
Which three media companies count as public service in Sweden?
- ATV4, Sveriges Radio and SVT
- BAftonbladet, Expressen and DN
- CSVT, Netflix and UR
- DSveriges Radio, SVT and UR
Correct answer: D. Sveriges Radio, SVT and UR
Why: Sveriges Radio (SR), Sveriges Television (SVT) and Utbildningsradion (UR) are called public service and have a special remit.
How is public service financed in Sweden?
- AThrough a charge collected via tax
- BThrough advertising
- CBy viewers paying per programme
- DThrough donations from political parties
Correct answer: A. Through a charge collected via tax
Why: Public service companies may not earn money from advertising. They are financed instead through a charge collected via tax, so that everyone has access to factual information.
What does the principle of public access mean?
- AAll authority meetings are broadcast on TV
- BAuthorities must answer all questions within an hour
- CAnyone may read private individuals' email
- DOfficial documents held by authorities are public unless they are classified
Correct answer: D. Official documents held by authorities are public unless they are classified
Why: The principle of public access means that official documents from authorities are public. Anyone has the right to see them unless they are classified (under secrecy).
What is a responsible publisher (ansvarig utgivare)?
- AThe authority that supervises the media
- BThe person legally answerable for what is published in a newspaper, radio or TV
- CThe owner of the newspaper
- DThe person who writes the articles
Correct answer: B. The person legally answerable for what is published in a newspaper, radio or TV
Why: Newspapers, radio and TV have a responsible publisher who is legally answerable for what is published and must follow laws protecting against defamation and violations.
What does source criticism mean?
- ATo question and check whether information is correct
- BTo criticise journalists
- CTo read only a single source
- DNever to believe the news
Correct answer: A. To question and check whether information is correct
Why: Checking and examining information is called being source-critical. It means questioning and checking whether what you read, see or hear is correct.
Can the state decide what is said in Swedish media?
- AYes, if it concerns politics
- BYes, the government approves the news first
- CNo, the media are free and protected by the constitutional laws
- DYes, but only in public service
Correct answer: C. No, the media are free and protected by the constitutional laws
Why: In a democracy like Sweden the media are free. The freedom-of-the-press and freedom-of-expression laws protect the right to say what you think, and the state cannot decide what the media say.