If you want to publish a periodical, you must have a certificate of publication according to the Freedom of the Press Act. The requirement of a certificate of publication also means the periodical is covered by the rules regarding freedom of the press.

Freedom of expression

Every citizen has the right to freedom of expression, which means the right to spread information and opinions in speech, writing, images or in any other way.

However, there are certain limits to the freedom of expression. Exceptions can be made with regard to national security, the reputation of individuals and the sanctity of private life, among other things.

Freedom of the press

The basic laws that govern our statements in the media and in printed publications are the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. These laws contain provisions for crimes against freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Statements that you make in the media are, therefore, not covered by the provisions of the Penal Code.

Liability rules

In the right to freedom of the press and the right to freedom of expression, there is the possibility of anonymity for authors and other creators if the publication is not a periodical. This possibility of anonymity means there are special liability rules for crimes against freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

The liability for statements in a printed publication follows different chains, depending on whether or not the publication is a periodical. The periodical should be intended for publication at least four times a year, according to a publishing schedule, and have a distinct title.
In the first instance, liability falls on those who are at the top of the chain. That is why the owner of a periodical must apply for a certificate of publication from PRV and state a responsible editor for the periodical.

Chain of liability for statements in a printed publication

Liability – periodical	Liability – not a periodical
Editor	Author
'	'
Owner	Editor
'	'
Producer	Publisher
'	'
Distributor	Producer
	'
	Distributor

Internet periodical

If you are planning to publish your periodical online, you should register a responsible editor for the Internet edition if it is not identical to the paper edition. The Swedish Broadcasting Authority deals with the registration of responsible editors on the Web (certificate of publication for databases). You can contact them by phone on +46 8 580 070 00 or via their website.

The Swedish Broadcasting Authority (external website)

PostNord’s periodicals service

PostNord has its own rules for distributing your periodical using its periodicals service. In order to distribute your periodical using this service, meaning at a lower postage rate, you must have a certificate of publication. If you have any questions or would like to register your periodical for the periodicals service, you should contact Posten by telephone: +46 20 23 22 00

PostNord (external website)