Regulatory Bodies

Statutory authorities

The Ministry of Transportation and Communication oversees telecommunications and is also in charge for the press subsidy system which today covers newspapers in national minority languages, having previously been available to political party newspapers.

The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (Ficora) is an independent regulatory body; it has the task of supervising the compliance with the Act on Television and Radio Operations. The Ficora monitors television and radio programmes to ensure that they comply with the requirements on Euoropean works programming. Among Ficora’s key responsibilities there’s that of ensuring the rights of communications services’ users. This authority is also responsible for the planning of the use of radio frequencies. In addition, complaints can be filed to Ficora but normally they’re addressed to the Council for Mass Media.

Self-Regulatory Bodies

The Council for Mass Media (CMM) is an independent committee of journalists and publishers operating in the field of mass communication who works to ensure good professional practices and to protect the freedom of expression and the press. The Council is open to the whole public and anyone can make a complaint in a case they feel the media has breached the standards of professional practice. These standards are drawn from the Guidelines for Journalists which form the basis (along with the Council’s charter) for its self-regulatory function. The work of the Council for Mass Media includes the digital platform and complaints on violations of professional conduct in online media can also be reported. 

The Federation of the Finnish Media Industry (Finn Media), composed of six media associations, promotes the interests of the media sectors employers and facilitates business activity. A central task of the federation is to defend freedom of speech in all circumstances; information, dissemination of opinions and in messages in all types of forms such as advertising. Moreover, the promotion of journalist ethics and development of media market legislation counts among its responsibilities.