- Next Article Nineteen housing companies face bankruptcy over unpaid dues
Finnish media outlets have started adding timestamps to news videos shared on social media following an open letter published by journalism students at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. The change aims to improve the transparency and reliability of news content in fast-moving digital environments.
The letter, published on 28 April, urged newsrooms and journalists to include visible publication dates on social media video content.
The students also called on the Council for Mass Media’s support association, Jusanek, to update the national journalistic guidelines to meet this demand.
The letter highlighted how outdated news clips, when circulated without context, can mislead audiences and undermine journalistic trust.
“Eroding trust in information is a fundamental threat to journalism. We’ve seen how misinformation and disinformation can ignite wars, stall climate action, and influence presidential elections,” said Kaijaleena Runsten, Head of Degree Programme at Haaga-Helia.
The student initiative gained rapid traction. Within days, major Finnish media outlets including MTV Uutiset, Kauppalehti, and Seiska implemented timestamping on social media. Helsingin Sanomat and Yle have indicated they will follow.
The campaign also triggered significant social media engagement. Student-made videos promoting the initiative have been viewed 1.7 million times, with 40,500 combined reactions, comments, and shares. On the first day alone, the videos reached 600,000 views. The campaign has encouraged social media users to demand timestamps directly in comment sections under news posts.
“The quick response from both the public and media houses is powerful. It shows that journalism students can help update the rules of journalism. After all, they are the next generation of journalists,” Runsten said.
Haaga-Helia students will present their initiative on Friday 2 May at a World Press Freedom Day seminar hosted by the Media Museum Merki. At the event, they will also hand over the open letter to Eero Hyvönen, Chair of the Council for Mass Media.
HT
- Next Article Nineteen housing companies face bankruptcy over unpaid dues
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
