"Don't mind being nobody in the US as a foreign correspondent"
Mika Hentunen is the US Correspondent for the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. He has covered American news based in Washington, DC, for 10 years. His second stint is coming to an end in December. Mika is interested in the breakthrough of populism into the mainstream and its impact on the political system. While following presidents Trump and Biden across the globe, hurricanes, wildfires, and ice hockey have kept him crisscrossing the United States. Mika’s 30 years of on-site reporting for television, radio, and digital outlets span from the fall of the Iron Curtain to 911, and from the war-torn Sarajevo to contested US elections. Mika is a published author of three non-fiction books and two novels.
How and why did you decide to work as a foreign correspondent in the US?
In my mind, this is the most challenging correspondent post my company has. The first time, my wife expatriated here, so I got to follow along. The second tour was sheer pull. I covered the 2016 elections and wanted to stay to witness the Trump presidency.
What lessons have you learned over the years of working as a foreign correspondent?
The pace of work is grueling and there’s no perfection. Results come from consistent baby steps. Completely out of character for me, I’ve become very keen on systems, lean process, and time management.
Mika Hentunen | Photo Credits: Yuri Gripas
Which is the most important part of your work as a US-based foreign journalist?
Staying on top of news around the clock.
What do you consider to be the most challenging or difficult aspect of your job?
To be able to step in sufficiently informed on short notice amid travel and varying time zones. News events can become physically demanding due to the seven-hour time difference between Washington and Helsinki.
As a foreign correspondent for the Finland Broadcasting Company, how do you select what stories or news to report from the United States?
I always try to find something relevant for my Finnish audience but the appetite for any US news is surprisingly strong. American politics for example has a keen, even sophisticated audience in Finland. Although I strive to produce fresh original stories, much of my work is just to report live on whatever is breaking.
Did your work as a foreign correspondent in the US impact the perspective you had about America?
Most certainly. Being a correspondent provides such a tremendous vantage point into the best and the worst of America. The rush is long gone but I’m still a card-carrying fan of this country.
Mika Hentunen | Photo Credits: Kimmo Korhonen
Can you offer any advice to aspiring foreign correspondents from around the world who wish to work in the United States?
Make friends and cultivate sources. Don’t mind being nobody and just work the phones. Hone good writing and live reporting skills. The better they are, the more rewarding your stint will be.
What are your thoughts about the role of the Association and Club of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States?
It’s a great and valuable community. It makes a lot of sense to pool resources. As always, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.
Profile Photo Credits: Jussi Nahkuri
