The Game Rules

Freedom of speech and good journalism

One of the main tasks of the union is to safeguard journalistic ethics, because the vocation and professional identity depend on the practice of freedom of speech. At best, good journalism is promoted in the workplace in such a way that all members, from old hands to rookies, are familiar with the Guidelines of Journalism and other key regulations concerning professional ethics.

The Union of Journalists supports and helps further the work of the Council for Mass Media.

The union also has an influence on legislation in collaboration with the wider trade union movement and other actors. The union monitors legal practice nationally and internationally. Deliberate malpractice and limits imposed on freedom of speech must be opposed.

The union defends the copyrights of journalists in its work nationally and internationally.

Finland needs its public service broadcaster. The union takes an active part in the debate on the work and funding of the Finnish Broadcasting Company. Domestic journalism should be a central feature in all television and radio programming produced in Finland.

There is a continuing debate on the limits of journalism. The union critically follows the development of general on-line interactive communications from the perspective of freedom of speech, journalistic ethics and the supervision of interests.