One of the overall aims of all measures taken by the Swedish government within the field of culture and media is to safeguard freedom of expression, as well as the accessibility and diversity of content. The mandates of public service broadcasting companies include direct responsibility for culture, e.g., broadcasting of programmes, which cover and debate cultural subjects and events, including religious issues. The relationship between the state and the public service companies is regulated by an official agreement as well as in law (see chapter 4.2.6). Newspapers are supported by government grants depending on their size and regional context. The growing number of commercial TV and radio channels, and the possibility to access such channels from around the world via satellite, and the Internet, provide a wealth of attitudes, images, and icons which is difficult for a public service policy to monitor. It is a common argument in favour of government grants and public service broadcasting that the pluralism of the sector could otherwise be imperilled, considering that ownership of commercial media based in Sweden over the last few decades has been increasingly concentrated in the hands of a limited number of owners.
In addition to the traditional media, new forms of information and communication media have become increasingly important. The commercial market of edutainment and electronic gaming is expanding rapidly. Digital communication creates new possibilities for increased public access to the work of artists and cultural institutions, something that became increasingly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. A large number of projects are underway to make the art and collections of public institutions available via IT based solutions, for example, the digitisation of archives and museums and support to IT based art projects from different foundations and institutions. Most recently, the national budget for 2024 included SEK 17 million per year 2024–2026 to central museums for the digitalization of archives and collections.
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