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Finland has ranked fifth in the World Press Freedom Index for the fourth year in a row, according to the 2025 report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday.
Norway once again tops the index, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands and Sweden. At the bottom of the list of 180 countries are Eritrea, North Korea, China, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan.
The RSF noted that press freedom in Finland remains strong, anchored by constitutional safeguards and historic legal precedents.
The world’s first law banning censorship was introduced in 1766 under Swedish rule, a fact often cited in Finland’s media rights history.
Despite the high ranking, the organisation warned of recent developments that threaten the country’s journalistic climate. Legal cases against reporters and court rulings affecting protections have added uncertainty to the profession. In 2023, two journalists were convicted for publishing classified information. Another ruling introduced tax implications for employer-funded legal defence, a measure that has discouraged some reporters from covering national security issues.
Freelance journalists are seen as particularly vulnerable. The Union of Journalists in Finland has set up a support fund to assist those affected by harassment or stress linked to their reporting, offering help with lost income, therapy, and related expenses.
The RSF highlighted growing concerns around psychological pressure from social media and SLAPP lawsuits, which Finland’s legal system has yet to adequately address. These forms of harassment, it said, contribute to a broader sense of risk in the media sector.
Public broadcasting is also facing structural change. The government that took office in 2023 is pursuing reforms that will result in substantial funding cuts to public media institutions.
Still, RSF acknowledged that Finland continues to uphold core principles of press freedom. Defamation, incitement to extreme hate speech, and treason are among the few areas where sanctions can be imposed. Confidentiality of journalistic
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
