SVT, Sweden | Bodyguards protect Swedish TV stars:

– We have IT attacks on our systems. We have a network against everyone who speaks on behalf of SVT and sometimes we have physical attacks on our employees. It is unusual for this to happen, but it is still at that level that we strengthen security in our offices, says SVT CFO and Chief Security Officer Peter de Verdier, according to Aftonbladet.

He says threats to channel employees have increased dramatically in recent years, and that this is something that should be taken very seriously. Therefore, the Swedish government has allocated an additional 100 million SVT this year from the state budget, with much of the money going towards increased security and preparedness. In total, the public broadcaster receives NOK 5.14 billion from the government budget.

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Bodyguards employed

It is rare for the Swedish channel to take this step, but it has happened that some profiles have received such serious threats against them that SVT has hired bodyguards to protect them.

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Peter de Verdier will not comment specifically on which employees have received bodyguard protection, but does mention that newscaster Nike Nylander recently received death threats after an interview with SD leader Jimmie Åkesson.

– Hit anyone

The security chief affirms that there is no common thread on who receives threats.

– Threats can affect anyone. You can report on everything from wolves and forestry to being a leader of a children’s show that addresses a topic about people, says de Verdier.

Peter de Verdier also highlights an episode featuring the channel’s profile Carina Bergfeldt who recently got her own talk show. Later, the journalist, who is one of the most profiled SVT of his time as a correspondent in Washington, received many threats directed against him on various channels, writes Aftonbladet.