Finland: Multiple Journalists Face Police Obstruction During Far-Right March Coverage
December 6, 2024 - Finland, Helsinki
On December 6, 2024, several journalists and photojournalists faced obstruction from police while covering the far-right 612 March and counterdemonstrations in Helsinki. Among those targeted were women journalists who reported being pushed, restricted, and harassed while attempting to document critical events.
Vilma Ikola of Helsingin Sanomat (HS) reported being obstructed at the Hietaniemi graveyard. Police officers prevented her from moving alongside the 612 March and pushed her towards the counterprotesters. Despite identifying herself as a journalist and offering to present her press card, police dismissed her credentials.
Aliisa Uusitalo of the Finnish News Agency (STT) experienced similar treatment. While attempting to photograph a detention scene where counterprotesters lay on the ground in defiance of police orders, Uusitalo was told to stop photographing and to move away.
Jecaterina Mantsinen, also of STT, was prohibited from accessing the road while photographing another detention on Runeberginkatu. Police officers extended their arms to block her path and ordered her to remain on the pavement.
For a country ranked 5th globally in press freedom, Women Press Freedom expects higher standards of conduct from Finnish law enforcement toward journalists. While we acknowledge the police's responsibility to maintain order in volatile situations involving protesters and counterprotesters, this does not grant them the right to obstruct the press. We call on the Helsinki Police to investigate these incidents thoroughly, hold the responsible officers accountable, and ensure that such violations against journalists do not occur again.
WPF celebrates the release of Palestinian journalists Bushra Al-Taweel and Rula Hassanein as part of the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal.
Palestinian Authority security forces detain Al-Jazeera journalist Givara Budeiri and her cameraperson while reporting live outside Israel’s Ofer prison.
Russian drone targets journalist Margarita Potapova and her Ukrainian Witness film crew near Zaporizhzhia.
Police detain five journalists— Reyhan Hacıoğlu (Van), Rahime Karvar, Necla Demir, Welat Ekin & Ahmet Güneş (Istanbul)—in morning raids on their homes and media offices.
Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali has been banned from travel after police interrogation over the MeydanTV case—despite having no ties to the outlet.
Israeli airstrike kills journalist and photographer Ahlam Al Nafed while she was walking to Al Shifa Hospital on January 14, 2025.
Police in Mersin beat and obstruct Fatoş Sarıkaya from filming, throwing her press card to the ground.
Mzia Amaghlobeli was detained twice in Batumi—first for posting a strike sticker, then during a protest. She’s now accused of assaulting a police chief, a charge carrying 4-7 years imprisonment
Four men, claiming to be police, abducted the journalist, restrained her, seized her phones, and demanded access to her accounts. She was held for four hours before being released.
Khanum Mustafayeva was barred from leaving Azerbaijan without explanation. Authorities at Baku airport cited a travel ban by the Ministry of Internal Affairs but gave no reasons.
Le Monde journalist faced a wave of online abuse, including sexist and anti-Semitic threats, following false accusations that she intruded on the funeral of a far-right leader - Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Three journalists were physically attacked while covering the tragic stabbing death of a 14-year-old teenager in Evreux.
Greek courts have upheld the conviction of Kurdish journalist Berçem Mordeniz, rejecting her appeal and sentencing her to seven months in prison, which was suspended.
Joanna Barboza was attacked while covering a protest in Zulia. During nationwide protests against Maduro’s re-election, security forces detained four journalists and assaulted six others.
Politician’s reckless rhetoric has fueled a wave of misogynistic and attacks against Giraldo on social media.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom welcome the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from detention in Iran.
Alona Bereza of ZHAR.INFO received emails threatening to bomb her editorial office.
An unnamed woman journalist from the "Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Anti-Semitism" (JFDA) was assaulted in Berlin-Kreuzberg.
WPF celebrates the release of Ana da Silva Miguel (also known as Neth Nahara), the popular influencer jailed for criticizing President João Lourenço on TikTok.
Natuza Nery attacked in a São Paulo supermarket by civil police officer.
Shatha al-Sabbagh was fatally shot by a suspected sniper from Palestinian Authority (PA) forces while documenting the ongoing violence in Jenin on December 30, 2024.
WPF and the CFWIJ strongly condemn the unjust detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala by Iranian authorities. Cecilia Sala, an esteemed journalist known for her insightful reporting from conflicts, was arrested by Iranian authorities on December 19, 2024, in Tehran while conducting her work with a valid journalist visa.
Eliso Janashia was physically attacked by Nineli Kulonava, a supporter of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Authorities launch an investigation into JİN News reporter Öznur Değer for "insulting a public official." Probe initiated after she stood up to a police officer’s sexist remarks during a protest in Mêrdîn against the killing of two Kurdish journalists in Syria.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal investigation against the independent news outlet T24 and journalist Seyhan Avşar.
Nine people, including seven journalists, were detained in Şişhane, Istanbul, while attempting to hold a press statement in memory of murdered Kurdish journalists Jihan Belki and Nazım Daştan.
Journalist Özlem Gürses was placed under house arrest on December 21, 2024 after comments on her YouTube channel were misinterpreted as criticism of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Police in Van attacked and detained journalists and activists protesting the killing of Kurdish journalists Jihan Belki and Nazim Dashdam in a Turkish drone strike in North Syria.
WPF is outraged by the Turkish drone strike that killed journalists Jihan Belkin and Nazim Dashdam near the Tishrin Dam, on the outskirts of Kobani. They were reporting on attacks on the dam when, according to local human rights groups, their vehicle was "directly" targeted.
On December 18, 2024, the Bishkek City Court upheld the sentences for several journalists involved in the Temirov Live case.
