Online Harassment Silences Swedish Politicians
Swedish politicians like Lina Johnsson are retreating from social media due to rising online hostility.
Key Points
- • Lina Johnsson has ceased engaging in online political discussions due to threats and hate.
- • She describes the online environment as unproductive and aggressive.
- • The increase in hostility has become a significant barrier for politicians in Sweden.
A rising wave of online hate and threats is significantly affecting the participation of Swedish politicians in social media discussions. Lina Johnsson, a politician from the Miljöpartiet, has openly shared her decision to refrain from engaging in political discourse online due to the escalating prevalence of hostility and abuse directed towards-elected officials. In her remarks, Johnsson expressed her disillusionment with the current state of online interactions, stating, "Det är inget samtal längre" (It's no longer a conversation). This shift reflects a broader trend in Sweden, where constructive dialogue has increasingly been overshadowed by aggressive and threatening rhetoric, deterring politicians from participating in potentially productive discussions.