The Union of Journalists in Finland has today announced its withdrawal from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic journalists’ unions also announced their withdrawal from the federation at the same time.
UJF President Hanne Aho has been elected for a third four-year term, for the period 2023–2026, by the UJF Council, which met 1 December in Helsinki. Aho has led the UJF as president since 2015. “The union works for its members and freedom of speech. I am proud to be able to continue this work”,Read More
The UJF wants to see a collective bargaining agreement on pay and working conditions for self-employed workers. Last autumn, the EU Commission issued guidelines giving self-employed workers the right to collectively negotiate their pay and working conditions. This means that trade unions now also have the right to negotiate on behalf of freelancers. “We haveRead 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
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
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
(Trade Union News from Finland – Heikki Jokinen) Journalists from Afghanistan have arrived safely in Finland, say the Union of Journalists in Finland UJF. The Union accommodates them with their family members temporarily in flats the union owns. For security reasons, the Union cannot disclose yet how many people have arrived and how they gotRead More
The highest decision-making body of the UJF, the Council, met remotely for its spring session from 20 to 21 May 2021. The meeting dealt with matters ranging from the rules of teleworking to government support for the media, EU copyright rules, occupational health for freelancers, the work of the Mediakunta cooperative, solidarity with journalists inRead More
The Nordic countries top the global Press Freedom Index published 20 April by Reporters Without Borders. However, press freedom has deteriorated around the world, particularly in Europe. Only 12 European countries can claim to offer a favourable environment for journalism, fewer than ever before. Germany, for example, dropped from the top group because of repeatedRead More