Swedish-Language Media in Finland: Navigating Decline with Innovation

Finland’s Swedish-speaking community, a small but significant segment of the population, faces a continuous decline in native speakers, posing challenges to the survival of Swedish-language media outlets. Interestingly, various newspapers are adapting and innovating to sustain their presence and maintain a vital connection to the Swedish-speaking Finns.

The largest Swedish-language newspaper, Hufvudstadsbladet, under new leadership by editor-in-chief Kalle Silfverberg, navigates contemporary challenges. To maintain public interest, the paper has redirected its focus towards compelling content, emphasizing politics, the economy, culture, and opinions, while ensuring dedicated coverage of the Swedish-speaking community. Recent acquisition by Bonnier News has amplified their technical capabilities, transforming them into a more robust actor within Finland's media realm.

“It’s a guarantee that Hufvudstadsbladet will be published in the future. It’s great to have access to the knowledge within the biggest media organization in the Nordics,” Silfverbeg said to the International Journalists’ Network (IJNET).

Finland's oldest circulated print newspaper, Åbo Underrättelser, thrives despite resource limitations. Editor-in-chief Tom Simola credits the resilience of their versatile staff, managing editorial content and technical aspects, although financial sustainability remains challenging. Experiments, including government grants and content exchange collaborations, showcase their efforts to sustain this crucial platform for the Swedish-speaking population.

“We have a very versatile personnel who have considerable knowledge about a lot: about the editorial content, technical aspects, and different tools. They are also ready to jump in and help if needed. That’s what we live on. We have knowledgeable employees who are very motivated,” said Simola, who added that national papers “will never be able to replace a local paper.”

Meanwhile, In the Loviisa area, Nya Östis fills the void left by merged local papers. Carita Liljendahl, editor-in-chief, champions hyperlocal news delivery, retaining a loyal subscriber base despite avoiding digital publishing. Engaging a community through a Facebook group creates a virtual town square, fostering a sense of unity among locals and highlighting the potential of hyperlocal journalism in maintaining community bonds.

Despite financial hurdles and declining native speakers, these Swedish-language newspapers in Finland continue to innovate and adapt, proving instrumental in preserving the cultural identity and community cohesion of Swedish-speaking Finns.