DN Recruits Left-Profile Figure for Party Leader Interviews

Ahead of this autumn’s election, Dagens Nyheter has announced that young people between the ages of 18 and 25 can read the newspaper for free so that the group can access “independent journalism.” Another election initiative is letting host, comedian, and actor Edvin Törnblom conduct interviews of the party leaders—something that has drawn criticism.

From time to time, DN gives young people free access to the site’s full content, as they see themselves as delivering Sweden’s best and most objective journalism.

– Access to independent journalism gives young people the tools they need to be active citizens. It is important for democracy, says DN’s deputy editor-in-chief Anna Åberg.

For the election, DN Kultur has recruited Edvin Törnblom to interview the party leaders. He explains his qualifications in the political field as follows:

– I consume enormous amounts of comedy clips on TikTok and Instagram, like Saturday Night Live, which often has a political theme. Much of what I know about American and Swedish politics I have learned through internet culture, through memes, jokes, and scandals.

As recently as 2023, Törnblom said that Magdalena Andersson (S) was his “favorite prime minister,” something Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s (M) press secretary Hanna Strömberg has commented on. He has also claimed that Ebba Busch (KD) is “dangerous for Sweden.”

I have noticed the discussion about editors’ objectivity and neutrality, among journalists. For the election, DN wants to let a new reporter interview the Prime Minister—Edvin Törnblom. Posting a video with him and Magdalena Andersson (S) here. For an enlightened world? pic.twitter.com/yAr2JygC9K

— Hanna Strömberg (@hannastromberg) April 22, 2026

To the Left of Dagens ETC

Strömberg believes it should be relevant for DN’s readers to know that the interviews are being conducted by someone who has said he has the Social Democratic leader as his favorite and that it is a question of transparency and credibility.

Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) has also reacted to the choice of Törnblom. Bohlin believes that if a newspaper claims to deliver news neutrally and without bias during an election campaign, it is a bit odd to choose an interviewer with such clear political affiliations.

If DN continues in the same direction and at the same speed, they will find themselves to the left of Dagens ETC during the next parliamentary term, assuming Dagens ETC does not move further themselves. https://t.co/kFs8hYLycx

— Carl-Oskar Bohlin (@CarlOskar) April 27, 2026

At DN, deputy culture editor Åsa Beckman says that Edvin Törnblom is “a colorful, smart, and funny podcast personality and host whom many young people trust – and the idea behind his short interviews for DN Kultur is to reach a younger audience that might not read DN regularly.”