This PhD research project (2016–2020) focuses on external interference, threats and harassment experienced by Finnish journalists. The main objective of the study is to measure the frequency and methods of external interference in Finnish context and to analyze journalists’ personal experiences and views of the phenomenon. The study utilizes mixed methods approach combining quantitative survey data with qualitative thematic interviews.
The concept of external interference used in this study covers all active and invasive methods that external actors use to influence and pressure journalists with the objective of influencing journalism. This makes it possible to examine side by side the more conventional threats like political and economic pressure and the new emerging challenges stemming from hybrid media environment such as online abuse, cyberstalking and smear campaigns. The wider research problem is how external interference affects the media autonomy and the public debate in a democratic country with strong institutional, legal and cultural safeguards for press freedom.
The research is funded by Media Industry Research Foundation of Finland.
Ilmari Hiltunen
Doctoral Researcher, M.Soc.Sc.
ilmari.hiltunen at uta.fi