Swedish media normalizes surrogacy

Swedish news media coverage of surrogacy is often positive, according to a new survey by Swedish women’s organizations. However, 60 percent of the stories fail to mention that surrogacy is illegal in Sweden.

During the period 2020-2022, the survey showed that only about nine percent of the stories reviewed were critical of surrogacy, while almost 70 percent tended to normalize the phenomenon. About 21 percent of the stories were considered balanced in their presentation, according to the umbrella organization.

– The Swedish media normalize surrogacy, which can ultimately contribute to increasing the demand for the trade in women’s bodies. We call for accurate, impartial and objective coverage of surrogacy that portrays and gives space to the women who carry and give birth to the children, said Nathalia Guaje, SRHR expert at the Swedish Women’s Organizations, in a press release.

In addition, 45 percent of cases are reported by the intended parents and 18 percent by the surrogates. The survey also shows that important information is often omitted, such as the fact that surrogacy is illegal in Sweden. In addition, the conditions for the surrogate mother are rarely mentioned.

The survey included 102 articles and features in Swedish mainstream meadia outlets such as SVT, TV4, Swedish Radio, DN, SvD, Aftonbladet, Expressen and Göteborgs-Posten.