The UJF has called on Finland to take account of the tough situation facing journalists and media workers in Afghanistan and where possible to grant them visas to Finland. In an appeal sent today to Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, the union also points out the imperative for evacuations. The situation of human rights and freedomRead More
The spring session of the UJF Council, 19 May, discussed the situation facing journalists in Finland and abroad and the work of the Union to improve members’ rights. Union President Hanne Aho said that charges brought against three Helsingin Sanomat journalists and the further concentration of media ownership in Finland were responsible for the countryRead More
Dear Ukrainian colleagues, As the war continues in your country, you keep on working to keep your citizens informed, to protect them from lies and disinformation and to help them overcome the horrors of the ruthless attack on your democracy. We, your colleagues in Finland think of you every day, admiring your courage and yourRead More
The Foundation to Promote Journalistic Culture (known by its Finnish acronym Jokes) is providing €30 000 to support the work of the journalists’ safe haven residency. The residency project was initiated by the Union of Journalists in Finland (UJF) and is being run by the international organisation Artists at Risk. The aim of the residencyRead More
The latest horrifying photo-facts from the liberated Ukrainian cities of Bucha and Irpin show that crimes against humanity are happening right now. Russian troops in Ukraine are not only fighting the Armed Forces of Ukraine but also practicing torture, executions and even burning up civilians. This is a real genocide against the Ukrainian people, andRead More
Union of Journalists in Finland is providing 15 000 euro to support Ukraine’s journalists and the country’s crucially important news media. The union stresses that during war accurate and reliable information is essential. “It’s important that journalists in Ukraine are allowed to do their vital work so that the world knows what is happening there,”Read More
The Supreme Court’s decision to acquit journalist and author Johanna Vehkoo of defamation charges against Oulu politician Junes Lokka is important and reassuring for freedom of expression, said UJF President Hanne Aho following the judgement, 11 January. The ruling overturns those of lower courts that imposed and upheld Vehkoo’s conviction over a private Facebook postRead More
The Council of the Union of Journalists in Finland, which met 26 November, has called on the Finnish government to help Afghan journalists get out of Afghanistan. “We have a duty to help those who are now in mortal danger after cooperating with Finnish media and journalists. There are reportedly about twenty such people inRead More
Three journalists from the national daily Helsingin Sanomat have been charged today for publicising a security secret and attempting to do so. The charges are extremely serious for freedom of expression. Helsingin Sanomat published an article in December 2017 about the Defense Forces’ Intelligence Research Centre. The Finnish Constitution was being urgently amended at theRead More
The press freedom situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated rapidly from difficult to impossible under Taliban rule. New media regulations were introduced on September 19, placing restrictions on independent media and freedom of expression. The regulations stipulate, for instance, that stories “contrary to islam” cannot be published. The International Federation of Journalists condemned the coercive restrictions,Read More