Month: June 2019

A Migrant Tales guide to biased and racist journalism in Finland

Posted on by Migrant Tales

After over twenty years working as a journalist and foreign correspondent in countries like Finland, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Colombia, it becomes routine to spot fishy stories that are fake.

Fake news can encompass a lot of things. One area where it appears a lot is in stories about asylum seekers, migrants, especially people of color, and other minorities.

In 2016, Migrant Tales published throughout 2015 a list of stories that were biased and racist. In my opinion, the one below is one of the worst examples of Finnish journalism. There are, unfortunately, many more.

The above story appeared in September 2018 on state-run Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle). Yle changed the picture of the story shortly after it was published. The story was a poll about different parties’ views on migration and migrants. There are no “niqab” or Muslim parties in Finland. The Muslim woman in the picture does not represent a party. Source: Yle.

Migrant Tales offers an easy guide to spot these types of stories. Below, is a “classic” trick used by populist anti-immigration politicians over and over again. When they get away with it, you can hear them laughing all the way to the bank.

Case #1

A politician makes an outrageous claim to a journalist, who doesn’t even bother to question its veracity. Eventually, the journalist may do some investigating and find out that he or she was fed malarkey. By then it’s too late because the story is already out there.

One example of the latter is when National Coalition Party MP Pia Kauma got a lot of media attention five years ago by claiming that welfare is obliged to buy new baby carriages to Somali mothers (sic!) while Finnish women were more “ecologically conscious” because they didn’t mind using used babby carriages.

Migrant Tales’ racist and biased news test


If you answer YES to any two, the chances are that you are reading a racist and biased story. If you answer YES to three or more, you are reading a racist and prejudiced news. If you answer NOT SURE three or more times ask a knowledgable person what he or she thinks about the story.

* The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.

Iraqi asylum seeker family in Kemi is told that they will not get anymore help from the city after Monday

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An Iraqi family of two children aged 6 and 5, went to the Kemi social welfare office today to seek help since the family was forced to leave the hotel they were staying at today. According to the father of the family, the social worker told him angrily that he will not get any more assistance from the city after Monday.

The Iraqi family was granted room and board. They received 116 euros for food.

Asylum seekers (from left to right): the father, son, daughter, and wife.

Migrant Tales reported in an earlier story that the family would be forced to live in the street and penniless as of today. What we did not mention was that the Red Cross had directed the family to the social office of Kemi to seek help for the family.

Considering the fact that the family will be homeless and penniless as of next Monday, it was correct what we reported in the earlier story.

The family came to Finland in 2015 and had been staying at the Kemi asylum reception center but were told to leave after nine rejections for asylum.

While some municipalities assist undocumented asylum seekers for up to three months, the Iraqi family’s help in Kemi is for only 10 days.

“The social worker spoke to me angrily and told me that they would help us until Monday,” a friend of the asylum seeker who speaks Finnish, told Migrant Tales. “The social worker said that go back to your homeland, search for work or live with a friend, but we cannot help you anymore.”

Migrant Tales called the social worker, but she did not answer the phone. I contacted the Red Cross in Kemi but they would not give any information about the asylum seeker except to confirm that they had directed the family to the social welfare office in Kemi.

UPDATE: Asylum seeker family with two children end up homeless and penniless in Kemi

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Migrant Tales understands that an Iraqi couple with two children who were forced to leave the asylum reception center and granted a five-day stay at a hotel is without money and will be homeless by Tuesday. The man, 29, who came to Finland in 2015, has a wife, 31, and boy and girl aged 6 and 5, respectively.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) and the police have asked him to leave the country after getting nine rejections for asylum.

“I am worried because I don’t know where my children are going to sleep [after tomorrow] and where I am going to get them food,” he said. “I would go to Helsinki but I don’t have any money for the bus fare.”

According to the man, the Red Cross asked him to leave the reception center with his family and paid five days boarding at a Kemi hotel. The last time he received an allowance from the state was in May, according to him.

“I am very worried,” he concluded. “I don’t know what to do and what will happen to us.”

The media does Jussi Halla-aho’s campaigning for free. The alternative media can stop it.

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Ever wonder why there is an obsessive interest by the Finnish media of Perussuomalaiset (PS)* chairperson Jussi Halla-aho? Most of his views are centered on anti-immigration rhetoric and white supremacy (fear of becoming a minority) as well as conservative views on topics like economic policy and the environment.

The media’s interest in Halla-aho is one reason why he got the most votes (30,527) than any other politician in the parliamentary elections. His campaign budget was only 308 euros.

In Finland, the media played a critical role in the rise of the PS and politicians like Halla-aho. It’s clear that whenever the media writes about such parties and its leaders, it is because such stories sell well to their readers. Another culprit is the near-silence – and incompetence – of most of Finland’s political class to challenge the far-right threat.

In short, Finland lacks politicians with a vision to defend our institutions and reinforce the rule of law, which are under threat today thanks to parties like the PS.

Read original story (in Finnish) here.

Social activist Joacine Moreira of Portugal was asked Friday if she feared the rise of the far right in Europe. The PS is in our opinion a far-right party. Her response was the following: “I am not afraid of the far right. I’m afraid of the mainstream parties [which should know better] but don’t do anything to change the situation.”

The political situation of Europe today could be compared with the rise of fascism in the 1930s. How many of those that supported Nazi Germany in the 1930s ever thought they would end up defeated and in ruins in 1945? Instead of facing justice, many of their leaders preferred the easy way out by taking a cyanide capsule.

Brazilian LGTB activist Jean Wyllys said that “The alternative media is the answer [to the traditional media for oppressed voices to be heard and construct their narratives].”

I could not agree more.

It is clear from the reporting by Finland’s and Europe’s mainstream media that alternative media is needed more than ever. That media, which gives a voice to minorities, must also adhere to ethical journalistic standards and fair reporting practices just like the mainstream media should.

The faster we act to elevate that voice, the better.

* The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.

QUOTE OF THE DAY Jean Wyllys: Alternative media is the answer to the traditional media

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THIS POSTING WAS UPDATED.

Jean Wyllys is a Brazilian LGTB politician who gave up his seat in congress due to death threats he received. He is an outspoken critic of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s government and a fierce advocate of gay rights in Brazil. He is presently on “vacation” abroad and does not plan to return to the country anytime soon.

Wyllys was due to be sworn in for a third term in February but decided to relinquish his seat and flee the country. “This environment isn’t safe for me,” he was quoted as saying in Folha de S. Paulo.

Migrant Tales got a chance to hear and speak to the Brazilian activist. He said that the media is a big issue on how the narratives of Others are silenced and oppressed with the reporting styles of the traditional media. He offers us an answer on how we are changing matters:

“The alternative media is the answer [to the traditional media for oppressed voices to be heard and construct their narratives],” he said.

Enrique Tessieri and Jean Wyllys.

Exposing Finnish white privilege #62: On free speech and scared white men

Posted on by Migrant Tales

It is amusing to hear how some people, usually white Finnish males, are so concerned about free speech. From rock bands like Eppu Normaali to politicians from the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party and others, the message is clear: the state is undermining our free speech.

Really?

How can people who grow up with privilege and power in Finland feel so threatened? Why is it usually that white Finnish males and women who support them, usually those that hate migrants and minorities, the ones that feel so threatened?

We all know the answer to that question. The issue isn’t undermining your rights to free speech but the fact that white Finnish men and women are scared because their privilege is being challenged. One of these privileges is to insult, oppress, and bully Others.

A good example is the racist and disgraceful tweet in March that cost the Perussuomalaiset Youth chapter 115,000 euros of funding by the ministry of education and culture.

Those that remember the tweet, there is a picture of a black couple smiling happily at their newborn child with the following tweet: “Vote for the Perussuomalaiset so that Finland won’t look like this.”

PS chairperson Jussi Halla-aho gave his usual defense of why racism should be seen as a “normal” matter by society and why it was wrong to cut funding to the youth chapter.

“My view is that cancelling and recovering funding is an unreasonable action over one silly tweet. There’s reason to appeal the decision – and if needed – take it to court,” Yle News quotes him saying on Facebook.

Anyone who is familiar with the actions of the PS Youth will conclude that it wasn’t a “silly tweet” by a member of that youth chapter but a clear pattern used over and over again by the party.

Playing down the impact of one’s racism is a common strategy used by racist parties like the PS. If racism happens, it is an exception “or silly” (sic!).

White Finnish privilege #62

It is a good matter that the ministry of education and culture cut funding (taxpayers’ money) to an organization that builds its support on racist ethnonationalistic views.

But the interesting question is why such parties feel so threatened that their free speech is being watered down?

The only answer I have is that it is the main thrust of the far-right message: Vote for us because you will be a minority. Are you scared? Vote for us!

White Finnish privilege allows you to cry about your privilege so you can continue to oppress and malign Others with impunity as well as keep institutional racism unchallenged.

If these people want, I will gladly offer a handkerchief to help them wipe the crocodile tears from their eyes.

See also:

* The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.

Ministry cuts funding for Perussuomalaiset Youth in 2019 over racist tweet(s)

Posted on by Migrant Tales

THIS STORY WAS UPDATED

The ministry of education and culture decided to cut 115,000 of funding for the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* Youth for violating the Youth Act 2017, according to Yle News. The news was hailed by some anti-racist activists as a step in the right direction on how Finland should challenge institutional racism.

One of the important aims of the Youth Act 2017 is to promote social equality and inclusion.

PS Youth chair Asseri Kinnunen said he could appeal the decision.

The latest racist tweet that got the Youth chapter in trouble came in March. A black couple is smiling happily at their newborn child with a tweet by the youth chapter: “Vote for the Perussuomalaiset so that Finland won’t look like this.”

The racist outbursts by the PS Youth are a part of their DNA and political addiction. Below are a few recent examples:

Read the full story here.

While it is a positive matter that institutions like the ministry of education and culture are taking steps to address growing racism in our society, a lot more has to be done to address this social ill that is mocking and attacking our institutions and values.

Here is a good column (in Finnish) by Yrjö Rautio about how hate speech and racism have undermined the rule of law in Finland.

As the PS and its youth chapter cry us a river about how the decision to cut their funding this year is an infringement on their free speech and their right to be racists, we should not give them any further funding until we see a change in their ways.

* The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.

Will the new Finnish government bring an about-turn in asylum policy?

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Social Democratic Prime Minister Antti Rinne’s government promises sweeping changes in asylum and immigration policy as well as a shift in the polarized debate. Green League Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo said she is not only confident that asylum policy will change but how it is debated by society.

“We can counter hate speech,” she was quoted as saying in Helsingin Sanomat. “I am not afraid to speak about such topics as the chairperson of the Greens’ party. I’m not afraid of Nazis and trolls.”

If 2015 was a watershed year for Finland, when a record 32,476 asylum seekers mainly from Iraq and Afghanistan came to the country, the following year was characterized by a tightening of asylum policy.

Green League chairperson and Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo.

Apart from stricter family reunification guidelines, appeal times were shortened from 30 days to 21 days after the second rejection for asylum, and to 14 days in the third instance. Finland kept in the past the number of undocumented migrants to a minimum by granting residence permits on humanitarian grounds to asylum seekers.

When the latter was scrapped, the number of undocumented migrants soared from a few hundred to thousands. Another change in the law that was detrimental to asylum seekers was access to legal services during the asylum process.

Pia Lindfors, executive director of the Finnish Refugee Advice Center, considered the new government’s plans to overhaul the asylum process as a “paradigm shift” when compared with the previous government’s policy.

Pia Lindfors, executive director of the Finnish Refugee Advice Center, and Section 6 of the Finnish Constitution that reads, “Everyone is equal before the law.”

“I see a lot of big changes in Rinne’s government with respect to [plans to overhaul] asylum policy,” she said. “This government talks about the rule of law when the last government believed that increased control could achieve security.”

Lindfors said that before 2015, the asylum process in Finland was known for its good standards, but that has now changed.

“This is unfortunate considering that a lot of work had been done to train officials in order to have an effective asylum process,” she said. “Such achievements took years to accomplish and a lot of work to reach such a good level.”

Lindfors felt that matters can change rapidly for the better for asylum seekers.

“Reinstating previous appeal time and giving asylum seekers the right to legal counseling would be steps in the right direction,” she added.

Miro Del Gaudio, attorney-at-law and founder of Lex Gaudius, which handles a lot of asylum cases, was optimistic about the new government’s asylum policy but said that time would tell how things pan out.

Celebrating Hayder Al-Hatemi release in February 2017 in Helsinki. From left to right: Eero Pellikka, Al-Hatemi, and Miro del Gaudio.

“While matters look good, it is still too early to tell how this will work out in practice and how long it will take for these things to happen,” he said. “Will the government’s measures be enough?”

QUOTE OF THE DAY Jane Elliott: On white supremacy

Posted on by Migrant Tales

In the same way, as in the United States and other predominantly white countries like Finland that are witnessing a growing culturally and ethnically diverse society, Jane Elliott, an anti-racist activist, and educator offers some sound advice below.

In Finland, some of us are so afraid of losing power to ethnic minorities that we saw the rise of an Islamophobic party that is the second biggest in parliament. The Perussuomalaiset* party’s youth organization recently tweeted voters to vote for the PS unless they want Finland to have people of African descent.

Here is Elliott’s advice:

“If you want to get ready for the future, if you want to be treated well in the future, treat others well in the present. What we do in the present constructs the future.”

* The Perussuomalaiset (PS) party imploded on June 13, 2017, into two factions, the PS and New Alternative, which is now called Blue Reform. In the last parliamentary election, Blue Reform has wiped off the Finnish political map when they saw their numbers in parliament plummet from 18 MPs to none. A direct translation of Perussuomalaiset in English would be something like “basic” or “fundamental Finn.” Official translations of the Finnish name of the party, such as Finns Party or True Finns, promote in our opinion nativist nationalism and racism. We, therefore, at Migrant Tales prefer to use in our postings the Finnish name of the party once and after that the acronym PS.