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Freedom of the Press - Finland (2006)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 2
Political Influences: 3
Economic Pressures: 4
Total Score: 9

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 79
Religious Groups: Lutheran National Church (84.2 percent), other Christian (1.1 percent),Greek Orthodox (1.1 percent), none (13.5 percent), other (0.1 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Finnish (93 percent), Swedish (6 percent), other, (including Lapp [Saami]) (1 percent)
Capital: Helsinki

Finland maintained its position as one of the most democratic countries in the world, with strong freedom of the press. Since 2004, internet traffic logging is no longer required, and online discussion groups are beyond the scope of the law. However, web publications must name a responsible editor in chief and archive published materials for at least 21 days. In addition, Finnish law, which gives every citizen the right of reply and to have false published information corrected, includes internet publications.

Finland has vibrant independent media that express a wide variety of opinions without government restriction. More than 200 newspapers are published. Newspapers are privately owned; however, some are owned or controlled by political parties and their affiliates and support a particular party line. In the broadcast sector, the government operates four of the five national radio stations and two of the four national terrestrial television stations but has a much smaller presence in cable and satellite television. New broadcasters have emerged in a market that was once dominated by the public broadcaster Yleisradio OY (YLE) and the established broadcaster MTV. YLE was forced to shut down during an industrial action and shed several hundred jobs; other broadcasters have felt the economic effects of these actions.

Topics: Freedom of information, Freedom of expression,