Indications of change *

Abstract

In this article we analyze the development of Swedish Media since the late 1970s in terms of structure, organization and output. The article is structured in two main parts. We analyze the structure and the output of Swedish media 1980 – 1990, and then we try to understand the Swedish media development in terms of the political, economic and social tendencies of Sweden during the same period of time. Four general trends in Swedish media are identified. The first trend is the increase in the output of most mass media. Secondly, the internationalization of the media contents is analyzed. The third is the increasing localization and regionalization of the media production. The final general trend identified, is the decreasing public control, and the increasing privatization of Swedish media. These trends are finally understood in the context of changes in the Swedish society during the same period of time.