The main job of the union is to improve the financial and professional situation.
Freedom of speech is the foundation of a democratic society. Good journalistic practice is based on the public’s right to have access to facts and opinions.
The UJF is an independent trade union that negotiates collective bargaining agreements. It works to further the financial, social and professional standing of its members, both salaried and freelancers.
The union’s members include people who are employees or freelance journalists and who work for the press, broadcasting, publishing and online media.
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Speaking at the autumn meeting of the UJF Council in Helsinki, 27 November, the union President Marjaana Varmavuori addressed the employment situation in the media sector.
“The year 2025 was a historically bleak time for the media sector. The Finnish Broadcasting Company terminated 350 employment contracts, and MTV terminated 35. There were fears that the operations of the Finnish News Agency STT would cease entirely,” she said.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is currently investigating solutions for the entire news media and media sector. Vaarmavuori said that the Minister overseeing the work has said that these should be market-driven.
Regarding the Finnish News Agency STT, one option that has been put forward is a ‘bridge solution’ – conditional, temporary state aid for restructuring operations. Marjaana Varmavuori said that STT has been offered a new role as a fact-checker, in addition to its news agency role.
The communications sector and the film and television production sector have also had a tough year.
The UJF President said that the critical situation makes it essential that the union stands up for its members. The union’s leaders have met government decision-makers and emphasised to them the importance of the media sector to society.
“We have work to do,” said Varmavuori. “Our member sectors are facing hard times, and they need the union even more than usual. We must support our members and work even harder to safeguard the operating conditions of our member sectors.”
The UJF council meeting will conclude tomorrow, 28 November.