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I konsumentens tjänst? Public service i post-sanningens tid – en fallstudie om desinformation och demokratins kunskapsgrund i Norden

Fornell, Molly LU (2025) STVK04 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
The recent years spread of misinformation and the rise of post-truth politics have challenged the role of public service media in democratic societies. This thesis explores how the Nordic public service broadcasters – SVT, NRK, DR, RÚV and Yle – position themselves in relation to disinformation, misinformation, and post-truth. Through a qualitative, thematic analysis of their annual reports from 2016, 2020 and 2024, the study examines how these broadcasters describe themselves and their values in a changing media landscape. The results show that the organizations emphasize impartiality, fact-based journalism and inclusion, and present themselves as defenders of democratic values. These positionings are interpreted as efforts to support an... (More)
The recent years spread of misinformation and the rise of post-truth politics have challenged the role of public service media in democratic societies. This thesis explores how the Nordic public service broadcasters – SVT, NRK, DR, RÚV and Yle – position themselves in relation to disinformation, misinformation, and post-truth. Through a qualitative, thematic analysis of their annual reports from 2016, 2020 and 2024, the study examines how these broadcasters describe themselves and their values in a changing media landscape. The results show that the organizations emphasize impartiality, fact-based journalism and inclusion, and present themselves as defenders of democratic values. These positionings are interpreted as efforts to support an epistemic foundation and support a deliberative democracy. While strong normative ambitions are expressed, the study also highlights a gap between ideals and practice. Public service media remain important actors in maintaining trust and knowledge in times of uncertainty. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Fornell, Molly LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
public service, deliberativ demokrati, Norden, post-sanning, desinformation, epistemisk kris
language
Swedish
id
9189890
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 11:06:08
date last changed
2025-08-08 11:06:08
@misc{9189890,
  abstract     = {{The recent years spread of misinformation and the rise of post-truth politics have challenged the role of public service media in democratic societies. This thesis explores how the Nordic public service broadcasters – SVT, NRK, DR, RÚV and Yle – position themselves in relation to disinformation, misinformation, and post-truth. Through a qualitative, thematic analysis of their annual reports from 2016, 2020 and 2024, the study examines how these broadcasters describe themselves and their values in a changing media landscape. The results show that the organizations emphasize impartiality, fact-based journalism and inclusion, and present themselves as defenders of democratic values. These positionings are interpreted as efforts to support an epistemic foundation and support a deliberative democracy. While strong normative ambitions are expressed, the study also highlights a gap between ideals and practice. Public service media remain important actors in maintaining trust and knowledge in times of uncertainty.}},
  author       = {{Fornell, Molly}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{I konsumentens tjänst? Public service i post-sanningens tid – en fallstudie om desinformation och demokratins kunskapsgrund i Norden}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}