Questions most frequently asked from our customer service and replies to them are collected here.
Why is part of the digital content subject to a charge?
It is important to us to provide independent journalism, trustworthy content and high-quality entertainment today and tomorrow. Profitable and sustainable business guarantees us the opportunity of developing the Finnish media. Our biggest sources of income are fees collected from the users and advertising income.
A large part of our content is available free of charge, and the most important news topics are available quickly and reliably. Paid articles on Aamulehti and Helsingin Sanomat, for instance, are selected carefully and in accordance with the Guidelines for Journalists. We also want to offer our customers and subscribers useful additional services, some of which are behind a paywall.
We spend money on obtaining information, producing content and developing the publishing systems, among other things. We continuously develop our journalism, entertainment and services. We carefully analyse diverse statistics and listen to the users with a keen ear to provide sustainable content.
How are advertising and editorial content demarcated?
We follow the Guidelines for Journalists issued by the Council for Mass Media regarding the demarcation of advertising and editorial content.
The text MAINOS/ILMOITUS/KAUPALLINEN YHTEISTYÖ (advert/advertisement/commercial co-operation) indicates that the content below is an advertisement. This text can appear at the beginning or middle of digital content, at the top of a page or as a separate annex between a magazine or newspaper, for example.
How can I access an archived story?
We are often asked about old news and magazine articles for anniversaries and school projects, for instance. Some of the articles can be found by using the search function in the digital services. It should be noted that archived articles can be subject to a charge. Old printed newspapers and magazines can be searched for from:
https://digi.kansalliskirjasto.fi/serial-publications
https://www.aamulehti.fi/lehdet/
https://www.satakunnankansa.fi/lehdet/
https://www.tyrvaansanomat.fi/lehdet/
https://www.nokianuutiset.fi/lehdet/
https://www.valkeakoskensanomat.fi/lehdet/
https://www.kmvlehti.fi/lehdet/
https://www.sydansatakunta.fi/lehdet/
https://www.merikarvialehti.fi/lehdet/
https://www.kankaanpaanseutu.fi/lehdet/
https://www.jamsanseutu.fi/lehdet/
https://www.suurkeuruu.fi/lehdet/
https://www.janakkalansanomat.fi/lehdet/
https://www.rannikkoseutu.fi/lehdet/
https://www.akuankka.fi/lehdet
Why isn’t all COVID-19-related news free of charge?
Each newspaper and magazine decides its policies and business models themselves, which is reflected in the content and price, among other things. For example, Helsingin Sanomat decided to make its COVID-19 news available to everyone for a fixed period in spring 2020 to spread reliable information about the virus as widely as possible. Aamulehti, on the other hand, has kept part of COVID-19 news behind a paywall all the time.
What kind of advertising can be displayed before the bedtime of children?
We comply with the restrictions imposed by legislation and international marketing rules in displaying advertising and commercials. Commercials in TV programmes are classified by age limit in the same way as the actual programme content. The ratings are classified by specially trained professionals, and the classification is supervised by KAVI. https://kavi.fi/ikarajat/ammattilaiset/luokittelijat/
TV advertising is allocated to specific times of the day based on the campaign structure and purchase method. For example, commercials with alcohol are only sold to programmes intended for ages 25–45, and such commercials are only broadcast after 10 p.m.
How are the content-related choices in news made?
Content-related choices are made based on journalistic grounds. Publishing is influenced by news criteria, such as how topical the matter is. Interviewees are not chosen based on gender, for instance, but the choices nevertheless need to be considered from the point of view of equality. There are equally qualified male and female experts in almost every field.
What is the policy of the newspaper or magazine?
Editorials reflect the official registered policy of the newspaper or magazine. The editor-in-chief is responsible for following it, as well as forming the newspaper’s stand on the most significant topics.
The in-principle policy of Helsingin Sanomat is available (in Finnish) at: https://www.hs.fi/info/art-2000006390609.html
Helsingin Sanomat forms its stand independently, regardless of political or economic decision-makers or other interest groups. The newspaper follows this neutral policy in its day-to-day news as well.
The journalistic principles and policy of Aamulehti are available at: https://www.aamulehti.fi/info/art-2000007775165.html
Why does Helsingin Sanomat talk about firemen and chairmen, while Aamulehti talks about firefighters and chairs?
In 2017, Aamulehti decided to give up gender-specific titles. The decision is justified like this: “ Language is a way of comprehending the world. Language also determines thinking and guides interpretation, even in unintended directions. Newspaper text should not contribute to strengthening the idea that a job or task would be particularly masculine (or feminine).” Aamulehti joined Sanoma in spring 2020.
Within Sanoma, each news brand makes independent decisions on the policy and content under the editor-in-chief, including the use of different terms.
How does ownership influence the content?
Shareholders have no impact on the content published by Sanoma Media Finland; decisions on publication are made by the editorial offices. The editorial offices are committed to the Guidelines for Journalists, and they are members of the Council for Mass Media. Opinionated content, such as a column or causerie, must always clearly stand out from the information-relaying articles.
Why is there swearing in Nelonen programmes?
We comply with legislation and the guidelines issued by the National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI). There are no separate guidelines on swearing, but we aim to censor swearwords where possible, especially in family programmes.
Why does the name of Me Naiset Radio include “Me Naiset”?
Me Naiset Radio complements the Me Naiset brand package, so it is natural that its name follows the name of the weekly magazine and digital content published at is.fi/menaiset.
Why was my opinion piece not published?
There are lots of opinion pieces submitted, and Helsingin Sanomat, for instance, publishes approximately one in four of the texts submitted. Pieces that have been submitted to other newspapers or published in blogs are not published.
Opinion pieces should be constructive, polite and reasoned. Justify your view: Preferably, write about your own thoughts, do not disparage others’ thoughts. If you present an opinion, also present fact-based justifications. If there are no justifications, your opinion might not be published. Discuss and argue, do not preach. Offer new points of view or opinions, do not repeat old ones or belabour points. A good statement is to the point. Make sure that the information you present is true: Do not spread rumours or recall events that you are not sure about. Do not guess, speculate over people’s backgrounds or insinuate. Be polite and constructive, have respect for the other debaters: When you disagree, write about the matter – not the person. Do not give the other debaters names or put words in their mouths.
How are discussion forums moderated?
The HS guidelines for discussions and information about moderations are available at: https://www.hs.fi/kommentit/art-2000006396703.html
How is vauva.fi moderated?
Sanoma Media Finland Oy does not pre-moderate messages; they are published as they are.
Sanoma Media Finland Oy removes messages, parts of a message or complete message chains that are in violation of the Criminal Code. Sanoma Media Finland Oy can also edit or delete a message, parts of a message or complete message chains that are clearly in violation of accepted principles of morality or a message that interferes with the functionality of the system. Admins can restrict the discussions. The site must not be used for communications by any organisation or party without the administrators’ permission.
Read the rules of the discussion forum: https://www.vauva.fi/artikkeli/keskustelualueen-saannot
Why are the subtitles for the hearing impaired sometimes so clumsy?
We use an automatic feature for the producing the subtitles for the hearing impaired, and it works well in dubbed children’s programmes, for instance. The automatic function has the most difficulties in recognising speech from a distance or when several people speak at the same time. Poor audio quality also affects the functioning of the automatic subtitling function.
We continuously aim to exceed the statutory minimum and increase subtitles for the hearing impaired to as many programmes as possible.
This article is part of a series on sustainable media. In accordance with Sanoma’s sustainability strategy, Sanoma is committed to we provide trusted Finnish journalism and inspiring entertainment, now and in the future.
Read all parts of the series:
How does Kodin Kuvalehti increase awareness, empathy and tolerance in practical editorial work?
Advertising material screening built by Sanoma strengthens sustainable marketing
Frequently Asked Questions on Sustainable Media
