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Right-wing alternative media users in Scandinavia: A comparative study of ideological attitudes and (dis)trust Cover

Right-wing alternative media users in Scandinavia: A comparative study of ideological attitudes and (dis)trust

Nordicom Review
Volume 46 (2025): Issue 2 (June 2025)
By:
Open Access
|Sep 2025

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media, by party affiliation and support for far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education. Dashed vertical lines mark the interquartile range of observations. Alternative media (examples given): Den Korte Avis, Trykkefrihed.dk, Document.no, Resett.no, Nyheter Idag, Samhällsnytt. Control variables included (at their observed value): gender, age, education. Party categories (Manifesto Project): Far left: Enhedslisten, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Alternativet, Veganerpartiet, Frie Grønne (DK); Rødt, SV (NO); Vänsterpartiet, Feministiskt initiative (SE). Left: Socialdemokratiet, (DK); Ap (NO); Socialdemokraterna, Miljöpartiet de gröna (SE). Centre: Radikale Venstre, Kristendemokraterne (DK); Senterpartiet, Venstre, Krf, MDG (NO), Centerpartiet, Liberalerna, Kristdemokraterna (SE); Right: Venstre, Det Konservative Folkeparti, Borgerlisten, Liberal Alliance (DK); De kristne, Høyre (NO), Moderaterna (SE). Far right: Nye Borgerlige, Dansk Folkeparti, Stram Kurs (DK); Fremskrittspartiet, Demokratene, Alliansen, Selvstendighetspartiet (NO); Sverigedemokraterna, Alternativ för Sverige, Nordiska motståndsrörelsen (SE). Other parties/no party omitted. Far-right ideas: composite index, 12 items (see Table A3 in the Appendix).
Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media, by party affiliation and support for far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education. Dashed vertical lines mark the interquartile range of observations. Alternative media (examples given): Den Korte Avis, Trykkefrihed.dk, Document.no, Resett.no, Nyheter Idag, Samhällsnytt. Control variables included (at their observed value): gender, age, education. Party categories (Manifesto Project): Far left: Enhedslisten, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Alternativet, Veganerpartiet, Frie Grønne (DK); Rødt, SV (NO); Vänsterpartiet, Feministiskt initiative (SE). Left: Socialdemokratiet, (DK); Ap (NO); Socialdemokraterna, Miljöpartiet de gröna (SE). Centre: Radikale Venstre, Kristendemokraterne (DK); Senterpartiet, Venstre, Krf, MDG (NO), Centerpartiet, Liberalerna, Kristdemokraterna (SE); Right: Venstre, Det Konservative Folkeparti, Borgerlisten, Liberal Alliance (DK); De kristne, Høyre (NO), Moderaterna (SE). Far right: Nye Borgerlige, Dansk Folkeparti, Stram Kurs (DK); Fremskrittspartiet, Demokratene, Alliansen, Selvstendighetspartiet (NO); Sverigedemokraterna, Alternativ för Sverige, Nordiska motståndsrörelsen (SE). Other parties/no party omitted. Far-right ideas: composite index, 12 items (see Table A3 in the Appendix).

Figure 2

Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media by political, media, and social trust Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education. Dashed vertical lines mark the interquartile range of observations. Alternative media (examples given): Den Korte Avis, Trykkefrihed.dk, Document.no, Resett.no, Nyheter Idag, Samhällsnytt. Political trust: Trust in government, parliament, courts. Control variables included (at their observed value): gender, age, education.
Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media by political, media, and social trust Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education. Dashed vertical lines mark the interquartile range of observations. Alternative media (examples given): Den Korte Avis, Trykkefrihed.dk, Document.no, Resett.no, Nyheter Idag, Samhällsnytt. Political trust: Trust in government, parliament, courts. Control variables included (at their observed value): gender, age, education.

Figure 3

Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, all variables included simultaneously. Dashed vertical lines mark the interquartile range of observations.
Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, all variables included simultaneously. Dashed vertical lines mark the interquartile range of observations.

Figure A1

Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media by support for different dimensions of far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education. Composite indices: Immigration scepticism: We should make it easier for immigrants to gain access to [Norway/Sweden/Denmark] (reversed); Immigration is a serious threat to our national character. Authoritarianism: We should reinstate the death penalty for certain criminal offenses; The most important thing that children should learn is respect for authorities; [Norway/Denmark/Sweden] is a lawless society; Having a strong leader in government is good for [Norway/Sweden/Denmark], even if the leader bends the rules to get things done. Populism: The people, not the politicians, must make the final decisions on law and politics; The [Danish/Norwegian/Swedish] democracy works well (reversed); Politicians in [Denmark/Norway/Sweden] act in accordance with the will of the people (reversed). Anti-gender equliaty: Men are oppressed in today’s [Denmark/Norway/Sweden]; Conditions should be created to achieve more equality between women and men (reversed). Far-right extremism: It is okay to use violence to defend [Danish/Norwegian/Swedish] culture; Violence between different ethnic, racial, or religious groups is largely inevitable; Only people with white skin color should be allowed to live in [Denmark/Norway/Sweden].
Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of alternative media by support for different dimensions of far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education. Composite indices: Immigration scepticism: We should make it easier for immigrants to gain access to [Norway/Sweden/Denmark] (reversed); Immigration is a serious threat to our national character. Authoritarianism: We should reinstate the death penalty for certain criminal offenses; The most important thing that children should learn is respect for authorities; [Norway/Denmark/Sweden] is a lawless society; Having a strong leader in government is good for [Norway/Sweden/Denmark], even if the leader bends the rules to get things done. Populism: The people, not the politicians, must make the final decisions on law and politics; The [Danish/Norwegian/Swedish] democracy works well (reversed); Politicians in [Denmark/Norway/Sweden] act in accordance with the will of the people (reversed). Anti-gender equliaty: Men are oppressed in today’s [Denmark/Norway/Sweden]; Conditions should be created to achieve more equality between women and men (reversed). Far-right extremism: It is okay to use violence to defend [Danish/Norwegian/Swedish] culture; Violence between different ethnic, racial, or religious groups is largely inevitable; Only people with white skin color should be allowed to live in [Denmark/Norway/Sweden].

Figure A2

Predicted probability of use of alternative media by party affiliation and support for far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from multinomial logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.
Predicted probability of use of alternative media by party affiliation and support for far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from multinomial logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.

Figure A3

Predicted probability of use of alternative media by political, media, and social trust Comments: Predicted probabilities from multinomial logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.
Predicted probability of use of alternative media by political, media, and social trust Comments: Predicted probabilities from multinomial logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.

Figure A4

Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of traditional newspapers and national broadcasters by party affiliation and support for far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.
Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of traditional newspapers and national broadcasters by party affiliation and support for far-right ideas Comments: Predicted probabilities from logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.

Figure A5

Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of traditional newspapers and national broadcasters by political, media, and social trust Comments: Predicted probabilities from logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.
Predicted probability of daily/weekly use of traditional newspapers and national broadcasters by political, media, and social trust Comments: Predicted probabilities from logistic regression models, controlling for gender, age, education.

Daily/weekly use of right-wing alternative media (binary logistic regression models)

(m1) Party affiliation(m2) Support far-right ideas(m3) Political trust(m4) Media trust(m5) Social trust(m6) Full model (DK)(m7) Full model (NO)(m8) Full model (SE)(m9) Full model
Gender (ref=men)Women−0.61*** (0.10)−0.41*** (0.10)−0.64*** (0.10)−0.44*** (0.11)−0.75*** (0.10)−0.26 (0.22)−0.22 (0.21)−0.24 (0.16)−0.23* (0.03)
Age (ref=less than 30 yrs)30–44 yrs0.14 (0.19)0.09 (0.19)0.16 (0.19)0.21 (0.20)0.27 (0.18)0.04 (0.47)−0.11 (0.39)0.19 (0.27)0.08 (0.68)
45–59 yrs0.17 (0.18)0.10 (0.19)0.37* (0.18)0.40* (0.19)0.40* (0.18)−0.08 (0.43)−0.14 (0.37)0.37 (0.27)0.16 (0.41)
60+ yrs0.29 (0.18)0.19 (0.18)0.60*** (0.18)0.57** (0.19)0.51** (0.17)−0.07 (0.41)−0.13 (0.37)0.69** (0.27)0.3 (0.13)
Education (ref=basic/high school)University/college education0.06 (0.10)0.19† (0.10)0.05 (0.10)0.10 (0.10)−0.01 (0.10)0.25 (0.25)0.49* (0.21)0.07 (0.15)0.23* (0.04)
Country (ref=DK)*NO0.35 (0.46)−0.37 (0.39)1.26*** (0.36)2.08*** (0.37)1.06*** (0.32) 1.26 (0.18)
*SE0.43 (0.46)0.90** (0.34)1.69*** (0.32)1.87*** (0.34)1.48*** (0.30) 1.48† (0.09)
Party affiliation (ref=Far left, DK)Left−0.00 (0.42) −0.24 (0.44)−1.01† (0.57)0.57 (0.36)−0.28 (0.53)
*NO−1.11 (0.69) −0.83 (0.25)
*SE0.69 (0.54) 0.88 (0.12)
Centre−0.07 (0.61) −0.05 (0.61)−0.59 (0.42)0.64† (0.37)−0.03 (0.96)
*NO0.01 (0.72) −0.57 (0.44)
*SE1.11 (0.71) 0.69 (0.34)
Right0.57 (0.40) 0.08 (0.43)0.06 (0.40)−0.09 (0.38)0.07 (0.87)
*NO−0.04 (0.54) −0.05 (0.94)
*SE0.23 (0.54) −0.14 (0.81)
Far right1.70*** (0.39) 0.71 (0.47)0.38 (0.42)0.63 (0.40)0.71 (0.13)
*NO0.24 (0.52) −0.4 (0.52)
*SE0.80 (0.51) −0.04 (0.95)
NA0.01 (0.46) −0.56 (0.48)−0.04 (0.40)0.34 (0.37)−0.53 (0.27)
*NO0.96† (0.58) 0.48 (0.45)
*SE1.26* (0.57) 0.88 (0.15)
Support far-right ideas (ref=DK) 3.81*** (0.55) 2.52** (0.8)4.09*** (0.69)2.39*** (0.56)2.39** (0.00)
*NO 2.20** (0.73) 1.43 (0.17)
*SE 0.71 (0.64) 0.13 (0.90)
Political trust (ref=DK) −2.02*** (0.42) 0.26 (0.61)1.22* (0.59)0.06 (0.46)0.15 (0.81)
*NO −1.20* (0.55) 1.03 (0.22)
*SE −1.21* (0.50) −0.01 (0.99)
Media trust (ref=DK) −2.86*** (0.46) −1.87** (0.61)−4.64*** (0.55)−3.32*** (0.40)−1.82** (0.00)
*NO −2.53*** (0.60) −2.76*** (0.00)
*SE −1.32* (0.53) −1.44* (0.05)
Social trust (ref=DK) −0.74* (0.37)0.51 (0.46)0.43 (0.41)0.57† (0.31)0.46 (0.31)
*NO −0.96* (0.48) −0.13 (0.83)
*SE −0.61 (0.44) 0.17 (0.76)
Constant −3.377−4.632−1.792−1.368−2.532−3.271−2.146−1.855−3.4
r2 (pseudo) 0.1240.1610.1180.1860.0680.1030.2780.2140.229
n 595859585958595859581958200919915958

Daily/weekly use of right-wing alternative media by gender, age, and education

DenmarkNorwaySweden
Total 0.050 [0.040–0.060]0.079 [0.067–0.090]0.144 [0.127–0.160]
GenderMen0.062 [0.047–0.078]0.106 [0.087–0.125]0.190 [0.166–0.215]
Women0.038 [0.025–0.050]0.049 [0.035–0.062]0.093 [0.074–0.113]
Age< 30 years0.044 [0.014–0.073]0.066 [0.030–0.102]0.097 [0.062–0.132]
30–44yrs0.051 [0.025–0.077]0.080 [0.054–0.106]0.133 [0.105–0.161]
45–59 yrs0.053 [0.034–0.072]0.077 [0.057–0.097]0.145 [0.116–0.174]
60+ yrs0.050 [0.036–0.064]0.083 [0.062–0.103]0.161 [0.132–0.191]
Highest level of educationBasic/High school0.053 [0.040–0.065]0.084 [0.068–0.100]0.145 [0.122–0.168]
University/college0.047 [0.031–0.064]0.071 [0.052–0.090]0.142 [0.121–0.162]

Consumption of news from different media sources (per cent)

MediaCountryDaily or almost dailyA few times a weekMore rarelyNeverDon’t know/NA
Alternative mediaDK1.943.1219.2572.782.91
NO3.244.6321.269.591.35
SE5.738.4427.9355.72.21
Tabloid newspapersDK21.7612.6129.9331.264.45
NO46.7921.1121.358.362.39
SE3416.4227.8818.033.67
National newspapersDK24.8714.1532.7427.430.81
NO11.216.6341.9129.620.65
SE25.7716.3238.0719.340.5
Local newspapersDK10.7842.4432.5813.021.17
NO44.2526.4323.155.720.45
SE27.5725.5736.879.640.35
National BroadcastersDK82.539.45.821.690.56
NO82.6811.93.931.240.25
SE65.618.7811.853.570.2

Indices of far-right attitudes (principal factors analysis)

ItemsFactor1Factor2Factor3Factor4Factor5
We should make it easier for immigrants to gain access to [Norway/Sweden/Denmark] (reversed).0.613−0.033−0.370−0.001−0.012
Immigration is a serious threat to our national character.0.768−0.156−0.2200.062−0.034
Violence between different ethnic, racial, or religious groups is largely inevitable.0.548−0.2030.0160.0250.043
Only people with white skin color should be allowed to live in [Denmark/Norway/Sweden].0.519−0.2090.142−0.093−0.045
It is okay to use violence to defend [Danish/Norwegian/Swedish] culture.0.570−0.1380.158−0.119−0.012
We should reinstate the death penalty for certain criminal offenses.0.575−0.0780.078−0.0300.013
[Norway/Denmark/Sweden] is a lawless society.0.7230.109−0.051−0.0500.034
Having a strong leader in government is good for [Norway/Sweden/Denmark], even if the leader bends the rules to get things done.0.424−0.2940.0830.0550.050
The people, not the politicians, must make the final decisions on law and politics.0.4230.1420.2200.116−0.020
The [Danish/Norwegian/Swedish] democracy works well (reversed).0.5180.4740.039−0.0270.011
Politicians in [Denmark/Norway/Sweden] act in accordance with the will of the people (reversed).0.4600.491−0.009−0.0110.003
Men are oppressed in today’s [Denmark/Norway/Sweden].0.495−0.0050.1440.109−0.024
Eigenvalue3.7960.7200.3170.0600.010

Use of right-wing alternative media, traditional newspapers, and national broadcasters by gender, age, and education_

Right-wing alternative mediaTraditional newspapersNational broadcastersRight-wing alternative mediaTraditional newspapersNational broadcastersRight-wing alternative mediaTraditional newspapersNational broadcasters
More rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weeklyMore rarelyDaily/weekly
Total0.210.050.190.770.070.910.210.080.070.920.040.950.280.140.110.860.10.87
GenderMen0.220.060.170.770.070.90.250.110.060.930.040.940.280.190.110.860.120.84
Women0.20.040.20.760.070.920.170.050.080.910.040.950.280.090.120.860.080.89
Age<30 years0.260.040.320.570.160.780.220.070.110.870.060.860.290.10.210.740.230.7
30–44yrs0.250.050.270.670.130.850.220.080.10.890.10.870.260.130.170.810.20.75
45–59 yrs0.240.050.210.730.050.930.250.080.060.930.030.970.270.150.110.880.080.88
60+ yrs0.150.050.080.90.020.960.170.080.050.940.010.990.290.160.060.920.020.96
Highest level of educationHigh school0.180.050.20.740.070.910.190.080.090.90.040.940.270.150.110.870.10.87
University/college0.240.050.170.80.070.910.240.070.040.950.040.950.290.140.120.860.10.86

Descriptive statistics

Denmark (n = 1,958)Norway (n = 2,009)Sweden (n = 1,991)
MeanSDMeanSDMeanSD
Daily/weekly right-wing alternative media use0.05-0.08-0.14-
Party affiliation (party groups)Far left0.15-0.13-0.12-
Left0.28-0.16-0.26-
Centre0.07-0.13-0.14-
Right0.20-0.17-0.18-
Far right0.11-0.10-0.13-
No party/NA0.19-0.20-0.17-
Continuous variablesSupport far-right ideas0.380.180.340.180.350.20
Political trust0.700.210.710.210.630.24
Media trust0.690.190.720.190.680.23
Social trust0.690.260.670.260.620.26
Control variablesGender (women = 1)0.50-0.49-0.47-
< 30 years0.10-0.10-0.14-
30–44 years0.14-0.21-0.28-
45–59 years0.27-0.33-0.28-
60+ years0.49-0.35-0.30-
Education (university/college = 1)0.33-0.41-0.56-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2025-0019 | Journal eISSN: 2001-5119 | Journal ISSN: 1403-1108
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Language: English
Page range: 217 - 249
Published on: Sep 26, 2025
Published by: University of Gothenburg Nordicom
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 times per year
Keywords:
right-wing alternative media,
far-right attitudes,
political trust,
media trust,
social trust
Related subjects:
Social sciences,
Communication science,
Public and political communication,
Mass communication

© 2025 Kari Steen-Johnsen, Audun Fladmoe, Karoline Andrea Ihlebæk, published by University of Gothenburg Nordicom
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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