The national team player has been identified as a participant in a scandal
Media Ethics Committee blames Aftonbladet for article in which the national football team player was published Matthias Johansson They are appointed as participants in a scandal in a Polish club. The newspaper’s documents for publication were incomplete. In addition, the information was published without allowing Johansson to give his opinion on the criticism leveled at him. Therefore, Aftonbladet violated good journalistic practice.
On October 26, 2021, Aftonbladet published an article titled “I found many in the team on the ground.” Above the title was a picture of Matthias Johansson with the upper body partially naked and next to it was a portrait of the type with beer mugs. The subtitle reads: “Sweden singled out for scandal” and “PETAD”.
The article gave information in the Polish media about total chaos in Legia Warsaw. After the last loss, the coach had to leave his post. Four players were absent from the match, including Matthias Johansson.
According to Polish media, this was not due to injuries but to players’ lack of concentration, partying and getting drunk. It was said that Johansson was seen in nightclubs and also that he rented a house where he arranged big parties, which led to the bus being slapped.
In the text of the article, it was stated in the conclusion that Sportbladet was looking for Mattias Johansson.
Report: “Playboy and Referred”
The article was reported by Mattias Johansson because it was infringed and not by
The publication had the opportunity to respond to the criticism leveled against it.
Aftonbladet tried to contact him two hours after posting, which actually went viral on social media. The reporter heard from him and apologized, but the newspaper did not want to make a public apology.
After publication, Legia Warszawa came out on their website and on Twitter and
She confirmed that the rumors about Johansson were not true.
Aftonbladet: “Sound and relevant”
Aftonbladet wrote in its response to the report that the publication, including the photographs,
be sound and relevant. It’s about a national team player who is highly positioned in this sport
Which attracts Swedes the most.
The publication was based on several sources that have insight into the club’s activities.
When Aftonbladet was given the opportunity to publish statements from the complainant, it was done immediately.
Aftonbladet states that in the same way that the public interest was great when
The stars were greeted and raised were present when they were criticized, pricked
Or he was said to have broken club rules.
Media Ombudsman: “Insufficient”
The Media Ombudsman, MO, stated that the publication was based on
Secondary information and partially anonymous sources. In general, MO believes in this
The newspaper’s documentation of publication was incomplete. MO further states that correspondence prior to this decision showed that the newspaper had published the information without Mathias Johansson having had an opportunity to respond to criticism leveled at him. In light of the fact that the information was harmful to Matthias Johansson and the missing evidence that exists, MO believes that the newspaper did not deal in an acceptable manner with Matthias Johansson’s right to treatment.
The fact that after publication the newspaper offered Matthias Johansson a follow-up does not change MO’s assessment that the newspaper should be blamed.
Media Ethics Committee: “Blame”
Media Ethics Committee shares MO’s assessment and blames Aftonbladet for it
Good journalistic practice was violated.
This is an abbreviated version of the Board’s Resolution. The entire decision will be available on the website of the Public Media Ombudsman/Media Ethics Committee www.medieombudsmannen.se.
Footnote: The Press Opinion Council and the Public Press Ombudsman have been reorganized
January 1, 2020 to the Media Ethics Committee and Public Media Complaints Secretary.