ETC media outlet faces scrutiny over state subsidies and private investors

Freelance journalist Christian Peterson has conducted an investigation into the financing and ownership structure of the Swedish media outlet ETC. The report highlights a perceived contradiction in the publication’s stance: while ETC has long criticized private profits within tax-funded welfare sectors, the outlet itself has received over 405 million SEK in state media subsidies from Mediemyndigheten between 2005 and 2026.

Furthermore, the investigation reveals that ETC has attracted private investors. During a 2024 share issue, B-shares were marketed with a projected annual return of 5.5 percent, though some shareholders reported actual dividends of approximately 3 percent. Peterson’s mapping includes 575 private individuals and seven organizations that have collectively invested 5,590,000 SEK.

In response to the scrutiny, representatives from ETC have characterized the investigation as harassment and an attack intended to intimidate engaged stakeholders.