Sydöstran's columnist Simon Fuglsang faced criticism from the media channel Riks after writing about a hand gesture by SD's Linda Lindberg, suggesting it is known as a white power symbol in extremist circles. Fuglsang was urged to apologize during a tense phone call, which he recorded and later published. Riks plans to release the full interview.
Controversy Over Hand Gesture: Journalist Criticized by Riks
Controversy Over Hand Gesture: Journalist Criticized by Riks
Sydöstran's columnist Simon Fuglsang wrote that the hand gesture made by SD's group leader Linda Lindberg during the opening of the parliament is known as a white power symbol in far-right circles. He was then contacted by the SD-affiliated media channel Riks and urged to apologize.
- She was insistent and had a high tone, somewhat like a telemarketer, says Simon Fuglsang.
On Saturday, Sydöstran, with an independent social-democratic editorial page, published a text by Simon Fuglsang titled "Lindberg's Sign is Not Okay."
In the text, he writes that the "OK" hand gesture made by Linda Lindberg, SD's group leader, in a photo during the parliament's opening is known in far-right circles as a white power symbol.
- I knew the text had caught attention within SD and the discussion had been ongoing on X, Instagram, and Threads, says Fuglsang.
Fuglsang: "The Agenda Was Quite Clear"
On Wednesday, he was called by an employee of the YouTube channel Riks.
- I was called on Wednesday afternoon while at my regular job as a teacher. I had only 25 minutes left and asked to be called outside of work hours. But she was insistent and had a high tone. Already then, the agenda was quite clear, says Fuglsang.
He was later called by the Riks employee, and the conversation lasted an hour and was recorded by Fuglsang.
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I hope you will apologize, because this is beyond criticism. As I said, I am ashamed as a journalist, the Riks employee is heard saying in a short clip Fuglsang published on X.
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You know what, I am not raising my voice against you, and I also understand that you are filming this to make some clip that... says Fuglsang before being interrupted.
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No, I am very stressed, I have to pick up my children, says the employee, who then accuses the columnist of contributing to events like the murder of conservative right-wing figure Charlie Kirk in the USA.
Riks: "Will Publish the Entire Interview"
Riks confirms in an email to Expressen that they stand by the call and write:
"We will publish the entire interview tomorrow!"
Fuglsang has published the entire clip from the phone call on YouTube on Thursday.
- It is very much that she speaks in a very high tone and says that I am embarrassing or should be ashamed and apologize. And then, when I respond, I am interrupted. So it is not an interview situation in that way. She described herself several times as an investigative journalist. I think that was the inspiration, that now someone should be held accountable, and they talked about me spreading misinformation, says Fuglsang.
What do you say about the actual issue regarding Linda Lindberg's hand gesture?
- I have really concluded that only Linda Lindberg can answer that. It has not been central to my question, even though it was what sparked my interest. The texts themselves are much about this dog-whistling and the ambiguous meaning of signs, how one can convey certain things and then claim that the one who reacts is alarmist.
Expressen is seeking Linda Lindberg for a comment.