Lennart Weibull

Freedom of Expression in the Digital Media Culture : a study of public opinion in Sweden Lennart Weibull

Freedom of expression is fundamental to democracy, and media serve as custodians of that freedom. Prevailing norms and values among the populace constitute the preconditions for freedom of expression, but also determine its limits. Digital technology has democratized the public sphere, but the new technologies also imply problems concerning the limits of freedom of expression. Particularly problematic is the relationship between freedom of expression and personal integrity. The present study reports on a national representative survey of Swedish citizens' views on the limits of freedom of expression and on the areas in which limitations of freedom of expression may be acceptable. Public acceptance of possible curtailment of freedom of expression may be taken to represent dissatisfaction with the ways in which contemporary media operate.