SVT chief welcomes funding rejig

The CEO of Sweden’s SVT has welcomed its revamped funding mechanism and described it as a “historic milestone” for the pubcaster.

Hanna Stjärne

From January 1 next year, SVT will be financed through a public service tax taken from earnings rather than a tax imposed on everyone who owns a TV set.

SVT has welcomed the new funding scheme, with SVT CEO Hanna Stjärne adding it will help to secure the broadcaster’s independence and be sustainable in the long term.

“We see many examples around the world of increased political media control. The fact that we have independent free media is seen as a matter of course in Sweden, but that is something we can never take for granted,” she said.

“Through the decision today, several reinforcements of independence have been introduced to create distances between public service and state power.”

SVT operates networks including SVT1, SVT2 and kids’ channel Barnkanalen, as well as streaming service SVT Play and a global SVT World channel.

Stjärne said she would have liked the licence period to have been set for more than 10 years, as has been set down in the legislation, and added she would welcome more input on how to protect the pubcaster in future.

She added: “SVT will ensure that it delivers the benefit – to everyone living in Sweden and to society and Swedish democracy.”