Migrant Tales’ 2015 Hall of Poor and Sloppy Journalism will be updated separately. To see other examples of opinionated journalism in Finland about cultural diversity, please go to this link.
Mar. 30
Ilkan kysely: Lukijoista suurin osa ei halua pakolaisperhettä naapuriinsa (Ilkka)
What’s wrong with this story and how does it reinforce prejudices about refugees? Ilkka of Seinäjoki, probably the most anti-immigration daily in Finland, published the results of a survey it conducted with its readers and asked what they think about refugees. Eighty percent that responded said that South Ostrobothnia shouldn’t accept anymore refugees while 60% said they would not want to have a refugee as their neighbor. Should we be surprised by the results of the survey? Not really due to the xenophobic climate in Finland. So why did Ilkka carry out this survey in the first place if it knew what the answer would be? Hiding one’s shame or that intolerance works in many strange ways? Was one reason Seinäjoki’s decision not to accept any refugees this year? Either way shameful and opinionated journalism at its worst.
