SVT and SR have been banned by Russia, according to a report by the state news agency Ria. The two Swedish public service companies are on a long list of European media outlets that are prohibited.
The measure is a response to EU sanctions, which mean that three Russian state-owned media outlets are not allowed to broadcast in the EU.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claims that the more than 80 European media outlets "systematically spread false information about the progress of a military special operation", according to a statement cited by Ria.
Among others, the list includes German Der Spiegel, French Le Monde, and Spanish El Mundo.
"Alarming signal"
According to SVT's CEO Hanna Stjärne, the message is an alarming signal from Russia.
Free journalism and free information are fundamental functions in an open and well-functioning society, she says to TT.
We hope that people in Russia will be able to continue to access SVT and we will continue to work as usual.
Hanna Stjärne receives support from SR's CEO Cilla Benkö.
”Today's message is deeply alarming but unfortunately not particularly surprising. Russia is strengthening its grip on free journalism and becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the world. SR has previously been affected by Russian media censorship through blocking of our content”, she writes in a comment.
Demirok: Summon the ambassador
Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M) states in a written comment that independent media are a cornerstone of democratic societies.
"It is crucial for the public to get a fair and unbiased picture of what is happening in society and in the world", she writes.
Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok is critical of Russia's decision.
It is completely unacceptable. Stopping free and independent foreign media from entering, that is what dictatorships do. It may not surprise anyone that Russia is doing this, but directing it against Swedish media, that is remarkable. I expect the government to summon Russia's ambassador and demand that this is rectified.
