maintains a relatively small market and a fairly concentrated media system. But the news media are diverse, including a strong public broadcaster that has almost half of both TV and radio audiences, some privately owned domestic broadcasters, an increasing number of online news outlets, and many regional and local newspapers. Media content in the Swedish and Sámi minority languages is also available.

Most media outlets are completely independent from political parties and politicians, with the exception of the national broadcaster Yle, which is under the supervision of a body created by Parliament. The government installed in 2023 is preparing a public broadcasting reform. But politicians have no authority to appoint or dismiss journalists. Attempts to influence content are rare and not tolerated.

In this country, where the first law prohibiting censorship dates back to 1766, press freedom enjoys strong constitutional guarantees. In the judicial system, certain legal sanctions can be imposed in cases of defamation, extreme hate speech or high treason. The confidentiality of sources is protected by law. However, the 2023 conviction of two reporters on charges of revealing state secrets had a chilling effect on journalists covering national security issues.

The majority of media outlets are privately owned and the number of media outlets relative to population size is one of highest in the world. The rise of social media has put more financial pressure on the traditional media, which are subject to greater concentration, without any specific regulation. The authorities cannot favour a particular media outlet, and no cases of corruption of journalists or editors have been reported in recent years.

Despite relative gender parity in society, female journalists are most at risk of online harassment and intimidation. While journalists are rarely subjected to physical violence, the threats they sometimes receive increase the risk of self-censorship. Ethnic minorities are under-represented among journalists, which impacts journalistic work and content diversity.

Journalists can suffer psychological stress as a result of harassment on social media and SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits to which the legal system has yet to respond appropriately. Freelance journalists are especially vulnerable, and a support fund has been created by the Union of Journalists in Finland to compensate for loss of income, pay for psychotherapy, etc.