The Gold Shovel is awarded by the Association of Investigative Journalists to journalists in Swedish media who with engaged and knowledgeable journalism have revealed or depicted essential conditions that the public previously did not know about. According to SVT Kultur, Kristina Lagerström and Johan Zachrisson expressed happiness and gratitude that the jury highlights the problem with authorities that do not understand transparency and openness towards the media are fundamental in a democracy, emphasizing it is about those in power's responsibility for other people's money, in this case all Swedes' pensions. The AP funds' circumvention occurred through a corporate structure without a single employee, and the company was controlled by officials from the AP funds.
The AP funds' investments in Northvolt resulted in six billion pension kronor being lost. It remains unknown what specific actions or legal consequences resulted from SVT's investigation, how the AP funds or involved officials responded to the allegations, and what measures have been taken to prevent similar circumventions in the future. Separately, SVT Gävleborg was awarded the 'Jury's Special Prize' for the investigation 'Blindbocken' about a man who for years lured men into his sex trap in central Gävle.
We are incredibly happy and grateful that the jury highlights the problem with authorities that do not understand that transparency and openness towards the media are fundamental in a democracy. This is about those in power's responsibility for other people's money, in this case all Swedes' pensions.
Details or outcomes about this case are not fully known.