Finnish media decision-makers worry about resources, citizens wary of disinformation

recent research A study conducted in 2023 by the DECA research consortium and the Futures Research Center at the University of Turku reveals important insights into the current state of journalism in Finland. The study consists of two surveys of editors-in-chief and Finnish citizens aged 15 to 79, highlighting the growing concern about disinformation and the challenges faced by media decision-makers.

Despite these concerns, this study shows that Finnish journalism enjoys high levels of ethical standards and public trust. When it comes to news, national media sources are still far more important than social media. In particular, the Editor-in-Chief affirms that a commitment to fundamental aspects of journalism, such as accuracy, timeliness, and fairness, is the basis of public trust.

Similar surveys conducted in Norway, Sweden and Denmark found little difference in public perceptions between the countries. However, there is a disconnect between editors and the general public in their views on the impact on news media. His 93% of editors emphasize that journalistic guidelines and ethics have a major influence, while the public recognizes that commercial factors and the opinions of media decision makers have a major influence on journalism. doing. In Finland and other Nordic countries, citizens are also concerned about the influence of the media on political opinions and decision-making.

The survey also found that encountering misinformation is a common experience for Finns, especially on social media platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook. However, discussion forums are where disinformation is most often encountered. Concerns about foreign influence and an overwhelming flood of information are widespread among the public. We also found a slight polarization of trust based on political affiliation in all the Nordic countries surveyed.

Editors-in-chief recognize the challenges in reflecting the diverse realities of people’s lives, including structural issues related to time and financial resources and the challenges of traditional newspaper distribution in sparsely populated areas. It raises issues.

This study examines how Finnish editors perceive their operating environment, the factors and conditions that build public trust, and how media audiences view trust in different news outlets. , which aimed to understand the factors that influence the power, responsibility, and trust of editors. This comprehensive study highlights the evolving landscape of Finnish journalism and highlights the importance of addressing the challenges of disinformation and resource constraints while maintaining public trust.

HT