The book 'Lögnare' (Liars) by Daniel Andersson was published in May 2024, following the TV4 program 'Undercover in the Troll Factory' which won the Stora journalistpriset and Guldspaden awards. In a so-called address to the nation, Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, accused the entire journalistic corps of a 'gigantic domestic influence operation from the collective left-liberal establishment'. He specifically accused TV4 of 'studied manipulation' and 'extreme dramatization'.
Many politicians on both the left and right were very upset after the revelation. Johan Pehrsson, then leader of the Liberals, believed the Sweden Democrats had broken the Tidö Agreement by not adhering to the formulations about respectful tone in politics. The book 'Lögnare' goes deeper into the investigation compared to the award-winning TV4 program.
A gigantic domestic influence operation from the collective left-liberal establishment.
Daniel Andersson's path is followed from intern at TV4 to embedded reporter as a key player. He constantly calculated the risk of being exposed. What made Daniel Andersson feel worst was not how he constantly lied his way forward with the Sweden Democrats, but how the internal collaboration with colleagues at TV4 functioned, or rather did not function.
He felt increasingly worse, but despite asking for support, it took many weeks before the editorial office offered psychologist sessions. Daniel Andersson suffered a panic anxiety attack after not being listened to. In the middle of the night, he lies awake, shaking, with a pounding heart and finds it increasingly difficult to breathe.
Studied manipulation.
His hands go numb and his field of vision shrinks. His partner Sofia gets ready to call 112. The specific actions or evidence that led to the accusations of a 'troll factory' within the Sweden Democrats have not been detailed, and it remains unclear what legal or political consequences, if any, resulted from the alleged breach of the Tidö Agreement.
Extreme dramatization.
In the middle of the night, he lies awake, shaking, with a pounding heart and finds it increasingly difficult to breathe. His hands go numb and his field of vision shrinks.