The Swedish Media Council
The Swedish Media Council is a committee of inquiry in the Swedish government offices, working with children’s and young people’s media situation, with an aim to reduce the risks of harmful effects of the media. The Council covers all moving image media, i.e. the Internet, film, television, computer and video games.
The Media Council gathers relevant research in this area for the purpose of dissemination and coordination of educational efforts. With this knowledge the Media Council tries to raise awareness about the risks and benefits of media use, offering advice to parents, as well as those engaged in professions that deal with children and youth.
The Young Internet is a campaign promoting safer use of the Internet among children and young people. The campaign is run by the Media Council in collaboration with BRIS (Children’s Rights in Society), a Swedish NGO, and is partly funded by the European Commission. Through its work with The Young Internet campaign, the Media Council represents Sweden in Insafe, a European network of e-safety awareness.
The Media Council's tasks are to:
• be an expert on media development and the effects of the media on children
and young people
• be updated on the latest research on the effects of the media, provide factual
information and guidance
• encourage self-regulation in the media industry
• promote the inclusion of media studies in schools’ curricula
• protect and strengthen children and young people in the new media landscape
through cooperation with other actors
• keep updated on international developments and take part in international
cooperation in the field
• give particular attention to portrayals of violence and pornography and apply a
clear gender perspective
The Media Council continuously publishes reports and other material on developments in the media, media effects and the media situation of children and young people. The Council also follows research in its field.
Composition of the Media Council
The Media Council consists of six members and a chair. The Council also has four advisers and three experts at its disposal. The Council Chair is Kristina Ahlinder, Managing Director for the Swedish Publishers’ Association, a trade organisation for the Swedish book-publishing industry. She can be reached by e-mail at kristina.ahlinder@forlaggare.se.
Publications in English
Here you can find a collection of resources available in English: www.medieradet.se/inenglish
Contact information
The Media Council
Ministry of Culture
SE-103 33 Stockholm
Sweden
Visiting Address: Vasagatan 8-10
Phone: +46-8-405 10 00
E-mail: info@medieradet.se