Journalists are fleeing to Finland from countries such as Russia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
A study commissioned by eight Finnish organisations promoting freedom of expression has found that Finland is not doing enough to support journalists at risk, either domestically or internationally.
The report was based on 48 interviews, including 22 with journalists who had fled to Finland from various countries.
“Finland’s indifference contributes to silencing journalists who have sought refuge here,” the report stated.
Most of the journalists seeking refuge in Finland came from Russia, but others have also fled countries including Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.
No emergency visa system
According to the study’s findings, Finland lacks a rapid-response visa system that would allow journalists facing immediate threats to reach safety quickly, along with their families.
There are also difficulties in finding employment, particularly for those without sufficient Finnish language skills. While Finland provides safety, it does not allow journalists to continue their professional work.
The authors suggest improving access to jobs and strengthening support for community media. Such outlets could allow exiled journalists to work alongside others from similar backgrounds.
The research was funded by the Foundation for the Promotion of Journalistic Culture and commissioned by several organisations, including the Finnish branches of the International Press Institute and Reporters Without Borders, as well as the Union of Journalists in Finland as well as the Finnish chapter of PEN International.
Weak international support ranking
A separate 2025 international report compared how 30 different countries support media freedom in their foreign policy.
Finland ranked 19th, despite its strong reputation for domestic freedom of the press.
Baltic countries performed better in the rankings, with Lithuania placing first, followed by Sweden, Estonia and Latvia.
The findings show that many journalists fleeing Russia have chosen to relocate to countries such as Latvia or elsewhere in Europe, where they have found better support and more opportunities to continue working.
