Finland: CFWIJ Welcomes The Acquittal Of Journalist Johanna Vehkoo
Location: Finland
Date: January 11, 2022
The Supreme Court ruled to acquit journalist and author Johanna Vehkoo over a defamation charge against Oulu politician Junes Lokka. The court found the journalist’s criticism was a theme of social interest and did not contain any offensive expressions. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes the journalist’s acquittal. The decision significantly reassures the freedom of the press and expression.
Journalist Johanna Vehkoo was sentenced in the Rovaniemi Court of Appeal to a fine for defamation in 2020. The Court of Appeal ruled that there was no reason to change the district court's judgment.
In November 2016, Johanna criticized the right-wing politician Junes Lokka calling him ‘Nazi’ and ‘racist’ for his political activities on her Facebook post. Following the social media post, Lokka filed a defamation case against the journalist. In 2019, the Oulu District Court fined Johanna for calling Lokka a ‘Nazi’ and a racist on her social media post. The case was also approved by the Rovaniemi Court of Appeal, which upheld the conviction.
The Supreme Court granted Vehkoo leave to appeal in 2021. In her appeal, Johanna requested the charge of defamation be dismissed, the appellate court's ruling be set aside, and that the state be ordered to pay her costs in the case.
On January 11, 2022 (Tuesday) the Supreme Court found that the social media post of Johanna was a criticism of Lokka's conduct in politics or public activities and a matter of public interest. The Supreme Court held that the main emphasis of the writing was on Loka's proceedings and not on his personal qualities. The court overturned Johanna Vehko's defamation charge in the criteria of freedom of speech.
The CFWIJ welcomes the acquittal of Johanna. The Supreme Court’s decision proves the stance of press freedom and freedom of speech and reassures the journalists’ fundamental rights.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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