Despite historic ties with the SDP, the labor movement has become increasingly independent. The media are independent. Most newspapers and periodicals are privately owned. The government subsidizes daily newspapers regardless of their political affiliation. In recent years, new satellite and ground-based commercial television channels and radio stations have ended the government s monopoly over broadcasting.
Citizens can freely express their ideas and criticize their government.
The government can prevent publication of information related to national security. A quasi-governmental body censors extremely graphic violence from film, video, and television. Religious freedom is constitutionally guaranteed. Approximately 90 percent of the population is Lutheran. In 1995, the government and the Lutheran church agreed to disestablish the state religion.