Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid newspaper founded on 6 December 1830 by Lars Johan Hierta as an evening publication challenging governmental authority and advocating liberal reforms.[1][2]
Initially a voice of opposition journalism, it gained prominence for questioning power structures and supporting public interests, becoming one of Sweden's earliest mass-circulation dailies with rapid growth to thousands of copies shortly after launch.[3]
Acquired by the Swedish labor movement in 1956, the paper aligned closely with Social Democratic politics and trade unions; today, it is primarily owned by Schibsted Media Group alongside a minority stake held by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), emphasizing digital platforms with a daily reach surpassing 3.5 million users.[1][4]
Characterized by a left-leaning editorial stance that favors progressive policies and story selection aligned with labor interests, Aftonbladet has shaped Swedish discourse on politics, culture, and social issues but has drawn scrutiny for mixed factual reliability and sensationalism.[5][6]
Notable controversies include its 2009 publication of unsubstantiated allegations that Israeli Defense Forces harvested organs from Palestinian victims, prompting international condemnation for promoting antisemitic tropes without verifiable evidence and highlighting concerns over journalistic standards in politically charged reporting.[7][8][9]