A new YouTube channel has emerged as the country’s hottest debate platform, where the hosts invite some of Sweden’s leading politicians and popular political figures who have made an impact on public opinion. This weekend, the channel is joined by top Sweden Democrat Tobias Andersson, who faces off against several Social Democrats in a debate where he has to defend himself and the Tidö government’s policies.

Studio 3 has a completely different concept than the traditional political debates in establishment media. Where the classic format is often characterized by short remarks, quick follow-up questions, and a host who steers the conversation between different topics, Studio 3 gives politicians significantly more space to elaborate their reasoning and respond to each other’s arguments.

This new format is part of a broader change in the political media landscape, where YouTube channels are taking an increasingly prominent place in public debate. Studio 3 builds its model around longer and more unfiltered conversations, where guests can debate without being constantly interrupted or directed to the next topic.

Studio 3 therefore breaks with the traditional way of conducting political debates. While establishment media have long set the framework for which issues are discussed and how, new actors are now emerging that offer a freer format where politicians get considerably more scope to argue and respond to each other.

And there is plenty of evidence that the format has made an impact. The channel has grown rapidly and is now approaching 100,000 subscribers. Several of the debates have reached hundreds of thousands of views, showing that there is a large audience for this type of longer political conversation.

Attempting to Grill the Sweden Democrat Top

In the episode featuring Tobias Andersson, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Industry and a member of the Sweden Democrats’ executive board, he faces off against several Social Democrats who try to grill him on issues such as the repatriation incentive, humiliating and gang-related violence, and welfare including dental care and schools.

The conditions in rural areas and the so-called betrayal debate are also in focus, where criticism about what the Sweden Democrats have actually accomplished during the term is brought up.

Don’t miss the debate – watch the full episode here: