How do you expose abuses of power that others want to keep hidden? For Kristoffer Örstadius, one of Sweden’s leading data journalists, the answer lies in numbers, databases and unwavering persistence – but also in always highlighting the humans behind the data.
“You live with the investigation you’re working on”, he says while cycling home after a long day at work.
2025-02-24 Alice Netinder
As an investigative journalist at Dagens Nyheter, he has typically maintained a professional distance from the subjects he investigates. But some stories leave a deeper mark – like the LVU scandal in 2023. Together with a colleague, he uncovered how Älvsby Municipality made decisions that forced young children back into the hands of their abusers.
“In this case, I was personally affected. It was about young children, the same age as my own”, he says.
The investigation was nominated for the Swedish investigative award Guldspaden and became one of the most talked-about exposés of the year. Over his 15 years in the industry, he has received the Great Journalist Award and won the Guldspaden three times.
In an increasingly digital world, where documents and information are moving online, he believes that journalists with programming skills are essential.
As he navigates through rush-hour traffic in central Stockholm, he emphasizes the importance of never forgetting the people and their life stories behind the numbers.
“I always focus on putting the story first and the data second.”
From Childhood Passion to Award-Winning Journalism
His sights were always set on becoming a journalist as he has always been drawn to new challenges. At just seven years old, he taught himself to code on his father’s computer, and a few years later, he developed a program that could quiz him on his English homework.
“It wouldn’t be any fun if everything was too easy, right?”, he says with a laugh.
While studying journalism in Kalmar, he worked full-time at Sveriges Radio and hosted student radio in the evenings, all while publishing his first investigative piece in Dagens Nyheter.
“It was amazing to see all the hours I had put in turn into rewrites and actually have an impact on society.”
The Investigation That Got Everyone Talking
Awards and recognition may be flattering, but what truly matters to him is when his investigations create real change. He recalls the times he has come home after work, turning on Aktuellt, and seen his investigation top the news.
“It’s a huge motivation for me to hear random people on the subway talking about my work. That’s when I know I’ve made an impact.”
And people certainly talk about his investigations. Since December last year, when he exposed that National Security Advisor Henrik Landerholm handpicked a staff member for his office without a security clearance, the story has dominated Swedish media.
Only now, on his way home after a demanding day, as the news cycle slows, does he finally have a moment to reflect while already considering future potential investigations.
“Sometimes I wonder if the wrongdoing will ever stop. I’m always thinking about the next story to uncover.”
As we wrap up the interview, he parks his bike. He steps inside, leaving the day’s revelations behind. Despite a career dedication to expose societal injustices, his most important priority now awaits – cooking dinner and spending the evening with his children.
“I really have the best job in the world, but coming home to my family tops it all.”
• Lives in: Stockholm
• Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism from Kalmar University
• Recognition: Three Guldspaden Awards and one Great Journalist Award
Which two investigative journalists would you include in your dream newsroom?
Richard Aschberg and Nils Hanson.