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A wide array of Finnish media sector and press freedom organisations, including journalists, chief editors, publishers and the Council for Mass Media, as well as civil society groups that advocate for press freedom, have submitted a petition to President Alexander Stubb demanding that Finland leverage its international position to protect journalists in Gaza.
In August 2025, a large number of journalists were once more killed in Gaza by Israeli army strikes. Within just a few days, six journalists and media assistants were killed, among them employees of Reuters, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. The international organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has documented over 200 journalists’ deaths in nearly two years and submitted referrals to the International Criminal Court.
According to the petition, this is not about individual tragedies, but an attack on the fundamental principles of freedom of news reporting. In addition, foreign journalists’ access to the area has been prevented. “The ongoing killing of journalists and the media blackout in Gaza are an unprecedented blow to free journalism. Silently allowing this to happen creates a dangerous precedent for future conflicts as well,” says UJF President Marjaana Varmavuori.
UN Security Council Resolution 2222 obliges member states to protect journalists in armed conflicts and bring those responsible for violations to justice. The petition’s signatories emphasise that flagrant violations of the resolution cannot go without consequences in the international community.
“The Finnish media sector is united when it comes to freedom of expression and ensuring news reporting. The Association of Editors (PTY) considers it essential that Finland exerts its authority to protect journalists in Gaza,” stresses Antti Kokkonen, the association’s Vice Chair.
The petition emphasises Finland’s special responsibility in the matter. In RSF’s 2025 press freedom index, Finland belongs to a group of only seven countries worldwide where press freedom can be defined as good.
“Only 0.8 per cent of the world’s population lives in a country like Finland, where press freedom is well established. Therefore, defending free and fact-based news reporting unites all Finns. This gives Finland a special role and responsibility in this matter, both nationally and internationally.” says Kaius Niemi, President of the Finnish branch of RSF.
When journalists’ work is prevented, the picture conveyed of events in the region becomes thin and fragmented. Without journalistic fact-checking, there is a danger that all information gets labelled propaganda. This threatens both the public’s right to know and the prerequisites for international decision-making.
“Without the work of journalists, we cannot get an independent and accurate picture of events in crisis areas. Defending the free flow of factual information is a prerequisite for open democracy and a functioning society everywhere in the world,” says Jukka Holmberg, CEO of the Finnish Media Federation.
The signatories call on President Stubb to:
1. Raise the issue of the media blackout in Gaza and compliance with Resolution 2222 in international forums, and demand action to end the killing of journalists and the associated impunity.
2. Demand unhindered access to Gaza for international journalists.
3. Consistently emphasise the need for the freedom of news reporting as a cornerstone of Finland’s foreign policy values.
The petition is signed by Reporters Without Borders Finland, the International Press Institute Finland, the Council for Mass Media, the Finnish Media Federation, the Association of Editors (PTY), the Union of Journalists in Finland, and the Foundation for Media and Development (Vikes).
The full text of the petition can be found at the end of this press release.
Mr President,
We, the undersigned, appeal to you to use Finland’s position robustly and visibly in the international community to safeguard news reporting in Gaza.
UN resolution commits to protecting journalists in wars
In August 2025, several journalists were killed in Israeli army strikes in Gaza, including correspondents from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera. Six journalists and media assistants died within two days. The international organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has documented the deaths of over 200 journalists in Gaza in the past two years and has submitted four requests for investigations to the International Criminal Court. This documentation shows that journalists have repeatedly been the target of deadly attacks, often while carrying out their duties, despite being clearly identifiable as PRESS.
This is not merely an attack on individual people, but an assault on the fundamental principles of the freedom of news reporting. UN Security Council Resolution 2222 obliges the protection of journalists in armed conflicts and urges member states to bring those responsible for violations to justice. Therefore, the flagrant violation of Resolution 2222 cannot go without consequences in the international community.
Finland’s special responsibility
The RSF’ World Press Freedom Index 2025 shows that only 0.8 per cent of the world’s population lives in countries where press freedom can be defined as good. Finland belongs to this small leading group of just seven countries out of a total of 180 countries.
This exceptional position gives Finland a special responsibility: we must act forcefully to ensure that the voice of independent journalism is heard, including in war zones, and that it reaches a wider audience. Finland is also listened to internationally on this matter. Therefore, Finland’s ability to advance the cause of the freedom of news reporting is measured precisely in situations such as the tragedy in Gaza.
Defending the freedom of and fact-based news reporting is something that unites Finns.
Why is free news reporting crucial?
When the work of journalists in Gaza is prevented, the picture conveyed of events in the region becomes thin and fragmented. Without journalistic fact-checking, the different sides can label all information emerging from Gaza as propaganda.
Killing journalists and preventing them from doing their work undermines the media’s ability to show the situation in Gaza as it really is. From the public’s perspective, the war becomes distant. Human suffering is reduced to brief news flashes and statistics.
All this jeopardises both the general public’s right to information and the conditions for international decision-making.
Our plea
We ask that you, as the President of the Republic, to:
The ongoing killing of journalists in Gaza is an unprecedented attack on the freedom of journalism. The silence surrounding this issue creates a dangerous precedent for the suppression of fact-based reporting in future conflicts. Without journalists, the world would lose its ability to see and understand what is happening. Finland has the opportunity and responsibility to take the lead on this issue.
Respectfully,
Reporters Without Borders – Finland
International Press Institute – Finland
Council for Mass Media (CMM)
Finnish Media Federation (Finnmedia)
Association of Editors-in-Chief PTY
Union of Journalists in Finland (UJF)
Foundation for Media and Development (Vikes)