Berlin, February 6, 2025—Swedish authorities should quickly investigate the recent vandalistic attack on Sveriges Television’s (SVT) building in Stockholm and ensure the broadcaster’s journalists’ safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.
“CPJ is concerned by the repeated attacks on SVT, Sweden’s public broadcaster,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “This fourth attack of vandalism in six months creates a climate of fear for journalists. Authorities must take these attacks very seriously, swiftly investigate them, hold those responsible accountable, and act to prevent future attacks.”
Late Monday night, unidentified perpetrators threw red paint on SVT’s entrance and smashed a window, marking the fourth time the broadcaster was vandalized since last September.
In a similar attack last September, red paint was thrown on the door and side windows of the building. In October and December, foul-smelling substances were sprayed at the entrance.
In an email, SVT security chief Camilla Josephson told CPJ that they strongly condemn “these acts of aggression against the free press, as a fundamental part of democracy,” adding that the broadcaster has already “implemented enhanced security protocols” to ensure the safety of its employees. She confirmed the ongoing police investigation in the attacks, but said, “While we have a good understanding of the potential groups involved, we must refrain from sharing further details at this stage, as doing so could undermine the investigation.”
CPJ emailed questions to the department at the Swedish national police, which handles crimes threatening democracy, but received no reply.
Editor’s note: The fourth and fifth paragraphs have been updated with a response from SVT security chief Camilla Josephson and an outreach for comment to the Swedish national police.