In an appeal in Dagens Nyheter, the 74 signatories testify to how they, due to their profession, are exposed to threats and harassment, with fatal consequences.
"For many of us, it's about regular and predictable attacks. For some of us, it has led to great personal suffering and to us hesitating to do what our profession requires – investigating facts, scrutinizing power and conveying knowledge", they write.
In the appeal, they share their testimonies and state that the development is, among other things, "part of an international political tactic where journalists and researchers are portrayed as enemies of the people who deserve to be punished".
Editorial writers, particularly members of parliament and the government, are urged to take responsibility for the public debate and mark their stance.
Among those who have signed the appeal are, among others, the chairman of the Publicist Club Robert Aschberg, professor Sven-Eric Liedman, as well as journalists and authors Jens Liljestrand, Niklas Ekdal, Anna Hedenmo and Johan Hilton.
