The Liberal Left: A Threat to Traditional Sweden

This chapter presents the results from a narrative analysis of Sputnik and RT news coverage about Sweden from July 1, 2019, to January 31, 2021, and focuses on attacks on the Swedish liberal left. It aims to make manifest how disinformation is constructed by Russian state news media intended for an international audience. The narrative analysis identified four sub-narratives: the incompatibility of freedom of expression and freedom of religion; political divisions over liberal democratic values that result in domestic disputes and a revelation of a weak national leadership; the Swedish church: a troublesome libertarian with a diminishing congregation—a church who has ceased to defend national traditions; and the Swedish media as left-wing and in support of the state and the establishment. The narrative shows how RT and Sputnik denigrated Sweden by depicting how the liberties so strongly promoted by Swedish politicians and other elite representatives were mere talk, implemented only when it served those in power and did not risk stirring antagonisms between groups in society. According to the news narrative, attitudes, and activities in support of the liberal left explained the erosion of the Swedish state. The government and key public institutions, such as public service media and the Church of Sweden, were particularly targeted. The narrative is presented and explained below through the sub-narratives that were identified in the coverage.