Published 15 November 2022 at 10.02
Domestic. Freedom of expression on the Swedish web forum Flashback is problematic, warns the Total Defense Research Institute (FOI) in a new report. But it is not mentions of Swedish defensesecrets on the forum that are the problem – but mentions of Jews.
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With the report “A study in prejudice – About racist stereotypes in digital environments”, FOI wants to draw attention to the often critical tone that occurs when different ethnic groups are mentioned on Flashback.
According to FOI, black and Muslims are not particularly often mentioned on Flashback, compared to how large a proportion these groups now make up of the population in Sweden, but on the other hand there is another group that stands out.
“A group that, on the other hand, is overrepresented in numbers mentions per estimated group size are Jews, especially on Flashback,” writes FOI.
According to FOI, there is an “extensive and long-term threat picture” against Jewish institutions, both religious and cultural, in Sweden.
“Even Jewish private individuals experience threats and harassment, sometimes to the extent that they had to hide their identity or moved from their hometowns”, writes the authority.
What responsibility Flashback has for this, however, is not clear from the authority's report.