The Finnish Foundation for Media and Development is a development foundation specialised in freedom of expression and media.
We promote freedom of expression as a human right and a cornerstone of democracy. We support and promote press freedom, more diverse media, journalists’ rights and better communication in developing countries and in Finland. We believe that freedom of expression is a corner stone of democracy and that citizens need critical, unbiased information so that they can influence the society.
Activities and results
journalists
We train people in the media field
In 2021, Vikes supported the training of 838 journalists and documentarists.
partners
We promote freedom of expression in developing countries
%
women
We support equality and female journalists
News and events
Media support democracy
A free media is a prerequisite for democracy. The media support democracy in many ways: by making the voices of different groups heard, by exposing grievances and by ensuring that citizens can participate in an informed way in collective decision-making. If only one...
Media support democracy
A free media is a prerequisite for democracy. The media support democracy in many ways: by making the voices of different groups heard, by exposing grievances and by ensuring that citizens can participate in an informed way in collective decision-making. If only...
Wali Hashi hired as a Vikes specialist – Vikes
Journalist Wali Hashi has been recruited as a Vikes expert. Hash's responsibilities include Vikes' development programme in Somalia and advocacy work.
54 media outlets already banned in Nicaragua
Nicaragua's war on freedom of expression continues. 54 media outlets have been closed and 140 journalists have fled the country. Photo: Julio VanniniIn Nicaragua, President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario...
Media creates a one-sided image from outside the West – Slovak journalism training offered new perspectives
The media has the power to create an image of migrants as "the other", said Michele Ferris Dodles at a training session for young journalists in Slovakia. The training explored how migration and the world could be approached from different perspectives. In the last...
Meet the journalist Avasna Pandey
Avasna Pandey: Nepal's women journalists are not harassed as much as they used to be, but we still need to build respect.
Our partners
We work for development in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
In Finland, we train journalists and students in areas such as sustainable development and the importance of media diversity and pluralism.