ABSTRACT
The Finnish media environment is generally considered free and pluralistic. Finland was ranked number one for six consecutive years in the World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders. The definition dates back to the comprehensive fundamental rights reform in 1995, following the Finnish ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights in 1989. The public debate on freedom of expression has received a much-needed outside catalyst with a relatively high number of Article 10 cases brought before the Strasbourg Court. The tendency in the relationship between Finnish and European human rights law has promoted greater freedom of expression and, due to cuts to the former, a relatively broad scope of privacy. The Finnish Mass Media Council JSN is a media self-regulation body that interprets the rules of ethics in journalism and covers all major publishers and broadcasters, including the public broadcasting service.
