Newspaper editors urge EU Commission for action against Sweden 15/01/2008

Jake Pollard

The former and current editors-in-chief of Sweden’s main newspaper Aftonbladet have sent Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for internal market and services, an open letter outlining the repressive measures instigated by state operators against media organisations throughout Scandinavia that agree to take advertising from foreign operators licensed in the EU.

Former Aftonbladet editor-in-chief Anders Gerdin and Jan Helin, Gerdin’s successor as of 1 January this year, sent the letter to McCreevy this week, saying there was “a crucial need for strong and decisive measures from the Commission in order to change this situation”.

Gerdin and Helin point out that Svenska Spel and ATG, Sweden’s state-controlled gambling monopolies and among the largest buyers of gambling-related media space in Sweden, have constantly attacked Aftonbladet for allowing EU-licensed operators to advertise. The letter says: “As retaliation for taking this position, Aftonbladet is constantly and fiercely attacked by the Swedish Gaming Board and Swedish prosecutors. Our main competitor in Sweden, Expressen, and several Danish newspapers are facing similar attacks from the authorities.”

The letter adds that Aftonbladet’s readers are denied the freedom to make an informed choice as to which operator they wish to visit because of a policy “that goes directly against the heart of both the EU principle of freedom of services and constitutional rules about freedom of information”.   

Highlighting the unfair pressure they are subjected to by Svenska Spel and ATG and the fact that Sweden’s legal powers follow their country’s gaming regulation “in almost blind faith”, Herdin and Gelin urge the Commission to issue infringement procedures against Sweden “to put an end to the Swedish government’s disrespect for the EU Treaty” in relation to the provision of online gaming services by EU-licensed operators.

To view the letter in full, click here

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Posted: 15/01/2008