Marjaana Varmavuori, 41, has been elected the new president of the Union of Journalists of Finland. Photo: Heli Saarela Marjaana Varmavuori, 41, has been elected the new president of the Union of Journalists of Finland (UJF). She was elected by the UJF Council at an extraordinary meeting in Helsinki on Friday 14 March. The Council is the highest decision-making body of the UJF and consists of representatives elected by the member associations. “My aim is to strengthen the UJF. The union represents the media sector in collective bargaining as well as in public discourse and advocacy. Democracy and journalism are facing increasing challenges. Politicians need to understand the role of the media in safeguarding and building democracy,” says Marjaana Varmavuori. Varmavuori will take up her post on Monday 17 March. Other candidates for the position of UJF president were Matleena Kuusela, Maria Markus and Jani Tanskanen. The union's rules do not require nominations to be made in advance. Nominations for the presidency were made at the council meeting. The union president also chairs the UJF board. The president was elected to serve in this position until the end of 2026. Avainsanat: Kansainvälinen UJF