The new proposals set forth by the Swedish Department of Culture favor smaller, local papers. This could translate to an income loss of 5.5 million kronor ($763,000) for the major papers, Senska Dagbladet and Skånska Dagbladet.
“…Control mechanisms will be introduced and support will be provided at a more local level,” said department secretary Martin Persson of the proposals. One such mechanism would provide support to newspapers with circulations of up to 40,000 copies. The changes will be presented to the EU Commission next week.
Through the press subsidy system, the Swedish government recognizes the competition that newspapers face in the media market, as well as their crucial role in informing citizens about the world and important issues in general society.
According to the government’s website, the proposed changes will lower the minimum circulation threshold. There will also be a 10% increase in production subsidies for all but metropolitan papers. These proposals are based on a review of the system initiated by the government in 2004.
