Freedom of the Press - Finland (2004)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 2
Political Influences: 2
Economic Pressures: 5
Total Score: 9

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 78
Religious Groups: Evangelical Lutheran (89 percent), Russian Orthodox (1 percent), none (9 percent), other (1 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Finnish (93 percent), Swedish (6 percent), other [including Lapp (Saami)] (1 percent)
Capital: Helsinki

A new press freedom act, prepared with input from media organizations, was scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2004. The law was revised to exclude proposed requirements that Internet service providers monitor content. More than 200 newspapers are published in the country, and the printed press is subsidized. Although most newspapers were at one time connected with a political party, more than 90 percent are now officially unaffiliated. In broadcast media, the state runs four of the five national radio stations and two of the four national terrestrial television stations; it has a much less significant presence in cable and satellite television, which are growing. Over the last 10 years, prosecutions and fines have increased for journalists accused of defamation.