Vikes in brief

The Foundation for Communication and Development is a solidarity foundation for journalists established in 2004 to support freedom of expression here and abroad. Finland is one of the leading countries in terms of freedom of expression, and therefore we even have a duty to support freedom of expression elsewhere.

Vikes aims to highlight the importance of freedom of expression as a human right and a cornerstone of democracy.

Vikes supports press freedom, a more diverse media, journalists’ rights and communication. We believe that freedom of expression is the lifeblood of democracy and that citizens need critical, unbiased information to exercise their democratic rights.

In many countries, the press is not free and journalists are harassed, threatened or even killed. Women’s position in editorial departments is often poor. Vikes supports female journalists and the right of journalists to organize. The independence and self-sufficiency of editorial staff will also be supported, and links will be established between the media and civil society.

In Finland, Vikes organises debates and training sessions for journalists and media students.