MFA: Reviews by Finnish missions abroad show that innovative solutions to fight COVID-19 put Finland in the spotlight in the world media in 2020
The coverage dedicated to the female-led government and Prime Minister Sanna Marin supported Finland’s reputation as an egalitarian country. Equality, education and a society that supports wellbeing raised Finland at the top in the UN Happiness Report for the third time, and this was widely covered in foreign media in 2020.
Finland in the World Media is an annual survey based on Finnish missions’ assessments of what topics related to Finland featured in foreign media and what strengths or weaknesses attracted media interest. “The review is an excellent tool for organisations engaged in promoting images of Finland, including the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Business Finland and cities and regions, for monitoring how their long-term efforts are reflected in the international media. Last year we focused on monitoring media coverage of Finland’s management of the coronavirus pandemic,” says Laura Kamras, Director of the Unit for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The media was interested in how the female-led government tackled the pandemic
Finland’s innovative response to the coronavirus pandemic made headlines in several countries. A new picture of Finland as an innovative nation spread in many countries, including the US media, where Finnish sniffer dogs featured in almost all major media outlets.
The female-led government continued to attract media attention, and Prime Minister Marin is estimated to be by far the most visible Finn in India, for example. Her public image is very positive, also in terms of how she is handling the coronavirus pandemic.
Finland is the happiest country in the world again
In 2020, Finland ranked first for the third consecutive year in the UN World Happiness Report. The Singapore media estimated that the keys to happiness in Finland include a good work-life balance, high level of trust, reliable and comprehensive social benefits, low level of corruption and well-functioning democratic system and state institutions.
Kamras reminds of the importance of the education system. “The high-quality education system is the most important recurring theme linked to Finland in the international media. Last year was no exception, but the coronavirus pandemic was reflected in the content. The media were impressed by the fast and smooth transition to home schooling and by how students were provided with the necessary equipment for distance learning.”
How was the review compiled?
Finland in the World Media followed all types of media, but the missions looked at print media particularly closely. The information is based on assessments submitted by Finnish missions abroad and, in the case of some countries, on externally sourced media monitoring reports. A total of 78 out of Finland’s 89 missions responded to the survey. General assessments, the missions’ views and direct media citations are presented in the attached summary.
Finland in the World Media 2020, summary (pdf, 58 pages, 1,6MB)
Inquiries: Laura Kamras, Director of the Unit for Public Diplomacy, tel. +358 295 351 558, and Harri Kilpi, Communications Coordinator, tel. +358 295 351 342.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.
Keywords
Links
About Ulkoministeriö / Utrikesministeriet
Laivastokatu 22, PL 176
00023 Valtioneuvosto
0295 16001http://um.fi
Subscribe to releases from Ulkoministeriö / Utrikesministeriet
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Ulkoministeriö / Utrikesministeriet by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Ulkoministeriö / Utrikesministeriet
Ulkoministeriön tiedotteet ja uutiset tilattavissa valtioneuvoston verkkosivuilta20.10.2023 10:30:25 EEST | Tiedote
Ulkoministeriön tiedotteiden jakelu STT Infon kautta päättyy 20. lokakuuta. Ulkoministeriön tiedotteet julkaistaan jatkossa vain ulkoministeriön ja valtioneuvoston verkkosivuilla ja ne voi tilata sähköpostiin valtioneuvoston kautta. Mediakutsut lähetetään jatkossakin STT Infon kautta.
EU:s handelsministrar diskuterar den ekonomiska säkerheten och handelsrelationerna mellan EU och Indien19.10.2023 10:31:13 EEST | Tiedote
Utrikeshandels- och utvecklingsminister Ville Tavio deltar i handelsministrarnas informella möte i Valencia, Spanien den 19-20 oktober. Ministrarna ska diskutera den ekonomiska säkerheten och handelsrelationerna mellan EU och Indien. Deltagarna får också en översikt över EU:s pågående förhandlingar om handelsavtal.
EU:n kauppaministerit keskustelevat taloudellisesta turvallisuudesta ja EU–Intia-kauppasuhteista19.10.2023 10:31:13 EEST | Tiedote
Ulkomaankauppa- ja kehitysministeri Ville Tavio osallistuu EU:n kauppaministerien epäviralliseen kokoukseen Valenciassa, Espanjassa 19.–20. lokakuuta. Ministerit keskustelevat taloudellisesta turvallisuudesta sekä EU:n ja Intian välisistä kauppasuhteista. Lisäksi kokouksessa luodaan katsaus EU:n käynnissä oleviin kauppasopimusneuvotteluihin.
EU trade ministers to discuss economic security and EU–India trade relations19.10.2023 10:31:13 EEST | Press release
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend an informal meeting of EU trade ministers in Valencia, Spain, on 19–20 October. The ministers will discuss economic security and trade relations between the EU and India. The ministers will also discuss the EU’s ongoing bilateral trade negotiations.
Utrikesministeriets enkätundersökning: ryssarna förhåller sig negativare till Finland, ungdomarna har positivare inställningar13.10.2023 09:00:00 EEST | Tiedote
Enligt den av Finlands ambassad i Moskva beställda enkätundersökningen förhåller sig en dryg tredjedel av de ryssar som svarade på enkäten positivt till Finland. För ett år sedan uppgav ungefär hälften att de är positiva till Finland. Enligt enkätundersökningen har Finlands rykte försämrats främst av att ryska medier har gett en felaktig och negativ bild av Finlands Natomedlemskap. Ungdomarnas inställningar till Finland är positivare.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom