Löfven’s Dictatorship

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A Swede Holds His Mouth Shut

Ingrid Carlqvist and Maria Celander are Swedish journalists who are considered “extremists” by mainstream outlets. They have become virtual outcasts for their politically incorrect opinions, so they now collaborate on the website “Ingrid and Maria” (Ingrid och Maria).

The following clip is an excerpt from a recent video report by Ingrid and Maria. In addition to the two hosts, the principal characters are Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the leader of the Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterna), and Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna).

Many thanks to Kronans Martell (Ullis News) for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes and RAIR Foundation for the subtitling:


Video link

Video transcript:

48:59   Let’s talk now about today’s main subject: Löfven’s Dictatorship.
49:04   What is happening in Sweden after the serial events of Twitter shutting down Trump
49:11   and the mess surrounding Parler and Gab?
49:16   Gab was down for a short period; it’s back online, isn’t it?
49:22   There were quite a lot of people registering on the website —
49:26   they’re apparently buying new servers every single hour.
49:30   The website was loading very slowly.
49:33   On our last show on Monday we discussed how suspending Trump from all social media,
49:39   and the way big tech handled it, has ignited a reaction [in Sweden].
49:46   In addition, big tech’s standpoint against ‘fast-growing’ platforms, blocking and censoring them.
49:54   We have seen that of all people Merkel and Macron
49:58   expressed their point of view regarding this issue.
50:01   But, “What does [Swedish PM] Stefan Löfven think about the censorship?”
50:06   This is a question the Sweden Democrats’ party leader, Jimmie Åkesson,
50:09   wanted answered during the debate in parliament. The ongoing situation
50:12   is that we’re experiencing a process where big tech companies
50:15   arrogate to themselves the right to restrict people’s freedom of expression
50:20   by suspending people with objectionable opinions; this is happening
50:23   on media [platforms] in Sweden, it’s happened to the US President,
50:26   and also to a long list of opposition and conservative representatives all around the world!
50:32   What does PM Stefan Löfven have to say about all of this? Is this justified?
50:38   Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Secretary of State,
50:42   that just because you have an opinion you don’t have an unconditional right to it.
50:47   Others will express it also as umm… You should take responsibility for it.
50:50   I, as a person, and the media too.
50:53   For a long time we have thoroughly discussed the problem we have on social media platforms.
51:00   In my opinion, social media platforms are excellent places
51:03   for people to contact each other, disseminate knowledge,
51:06   have discussions and therefore empower democracy. But it has become something else!
51:10   And we have to take a stance against it! So, what do we conclude from this?
51:14   I see that we have to regulate these platforms as well.
51:18   We have to consider them to be just like newspapers where there are people responsible for content.
51:25   We should do that! I’m not claiming that the owners of these big platforms will make decisions,
51:32   but we should make rules in order to stop what has caused the madness in the US.
51:40   Mr. Speaker, this is an additional example
51:44   of how he perceives the real world and how he views these issues.
51:48   I don’t buy Stefan Löfven’s comparison and the equating these platforms with newspapers.
51:52   Nowadays, the social media platforms dominate the political dialogue,
51:58   public debates, and election campaigns.
52:01   The owners of these platforms control essential information infrastructure;
52:08   this is nothing like a newspaper! They have tremendous power!
52:13   The current situation is as follows: A few companies are able to decide
52:17   who says what, and who will be allowed to say it,
52:21   for example, during an election campaign. I personally have party colleagues
52:24   who were suspended on absolutely unreasonable excuses!
52:27   If it happens, for instance, during an election campaign, it may affect the election results.
52:32   I’m glad that Stefan Löfven says these platforms must be regulated, but I’m afraid that that
52:36   the type of regulation that he is aiming for will restrict freedom of expression even more.
52:40   That isn’t what I’m looking for! What I mean is that we should take a stance,
52:44   and make demands on the tech oligarchs
52:47   [to empower] freedom of expression. PM Stefan Löfven’s final remarks:
52:50   Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a little difficult to understand Jimmie Åkesson’s argument,
52:54   because I don’t get what he wants to take responsibility for.
52:57   I mean, there should be some sort of limits to what you can say on social media,
53:02   and how you’re allowed to express it.
53:05   It should be controlled in some way. Nor do I think that big tech
53:09   should be able to make the ultimate decisions.
53:12   The subject is being discussed at the EU level. The EU is working to regulate this
53:17   through the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act;
53:21   I believe it’s reasonable to do so. You can’t just say whatever you want!
53:25   You can’t do that on all channels!
53:28   It’s one thing to go outside and say whatever you want on the streets.
53:31   But you can’t have a human right to spew out whatever you wish on social media platforms.
53:37   This mentality has led to the situation we saw in the US!
53:41   We have a similar situation in Europe, and it could, most likely, happen in Sweden.
53:46   It’s time to speak up, once and for all!
53:49   The social media platforms should be regulated.
53:53   “There should be some sort of regulation; therefore I’m planning to impose a dictatorship!”
53:58   This is what I actually hear him saying!
54:01   Excuse my laughing about it; I shouldn’t, because this is terrifying and truly horrible to hear.
54:06   This is a ridiculous situation.
54:09   Åkesson is very honest and clear: the reason why he wanted to discuss this subject is that
54:13   he is worried about more censorship. This is obviously what he was after.
54:16   And Löfven starts speaking nonsense and basically saying: “Well, we will censor more!”
54:24   He pretends that he doesn’t understand what Åkesson means.
54:29   But, Åkesson tries to explains more deeply, but still, Löfven says during his closing statement,
54:38   “We’ll censor more and blah blah and calling them names!”