Constitutional protection for freedom of expression : Finland : confrontations and turning points

Abstract

This chapter is divided into four main sections. The first, introductory section contains a general overview of how constitutional protection for freedom of expression developed in Finland from the Swedish era until the new constitution came into force in 2000. The chapter further focuses on three major challenges to freedom of expression following the constitutional reform, i.e. in the 21st century. The second section deals with the relationship between freedom of expression and the counter-terrorism measures introduced after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. The third section introduces and assesses the established practice of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding freedom of expression in Finland, with the principal aim of trying to understand why the ECHR has delivered so many judgements against Finland precisely in the area of freedom of expression. The chapter concludes with a brief fourth section in which the challenges posed by the Internet to the traditional concept of freedom of expression are assessed, particularly in the light of the ECHR ruling in the Delfi Case.