What the closure of Radio24Syv tells us about Danish populism

05/07/19 • 32 min

A successful talk radio station is set to close after the government stipulated that 70 percent of the editorial staff has to relocate 110 kilometres from Copenhagen. The same government that has moved more than 4,000 state jobs out of the capital at a cost of 550 million kroner.
So are too many state jobs and cultural institutions concentrated in the capital? Or are the policies a classic example of populism – sowing divisions between an imagined urban elite, and authentic rural population.
We explore these questions with Tinne Hjersing Knudsen, a radio host at Radio24Syv, as well as writer and veteran radio producer Egon Clausen.

Previous Episode

A Looming Election – Setting the scene with Politiken's Kristian Madsen

A lot has happened since Danes last went to the polls four years ago. At the 2015 election the left wing Social Democrats lost power to the right wing Liberal Party, which positioned itself as hard on immigration and kind to business. But if the policies have been popular, why do most polls predict that the left wing will regain power this summer?
Ahead of the general election on June 5, The Danish Debate will survey Denmark's political landscape. In the first episode, Kristian Madsen from Politiken newspaper offers his insight on the major issues and political intrigues ahead of this summer's general election in Denmark. Kristian Madsen was interviewed before the election date as announced.
The Danish Debate is a Mothertongue Media production.
Logo and identity by Nick Garner.

Next Episode

The Climate Election – Voters say climate is their top priority. But can Denmark make a difference?

Danes are worried about the climate. In a poll by Kantar Gallup, 57 percent of Danes responded that the environment is a higher priority to them than immigration. Only 35 percent stated the reverse was the case. So it's not a surprise that parties across the political spectrum have launched climate policies to reduce Denmark's emissions through increased investment in renewable energy and green transport.
But do these policies go far enough? Or are they simply playing up to Denmark's growing climate anxiety?
We speak to Rasmus Nordqvist, climate spokesperson for Denmark's 'greenest' party The Alternative, on what it's actually going to take to bring down emissions. And activist Kirsten Kværnø from Extinction Rebellion explains why popular movements and civil disobedience are central to generating public support for radical climate policies.
But first we start with Morten Jastrup, a managing partner at consultancy Nordic Sustainability. Jastrup has more than 20 years experience advancing sustainable business, and has a deep understanding of what will – and will not – work to address the 'climate emergency' are being warned of.