Iida Tikka, former US correspondent for Yle, awarded Journalist of the Year

Foreign correspondent Iida Tikka looks directly at the camera in the United States. — Iida Tikka, former US correspondent for Yle, was named Journalist of the Year.

Finland’s most prestigious journalism awards have been handed out. The winners for 2024 were chosen in four different categories at the Grand Journalism Prize Awards.

The most deserving journalists of 2024 were honoured on Wednesday at an invitation-only gala at the Sanomatalo Mediator in Helsinki.

The regional story of the year was a news feature on the social welfare reform, produced by the editorial team of the Central Ostrobothnia magazine.

STT and Bauer Media’s Radio AI News were awarded the Innovator of the Year.

The Great Journalist Award is Finland’s most important recognition annually to journalism.

Journalist of the Year

The selection criteria say that in the election year, Tikka succeeded in telling Finns with an analytical and touching approach what the current American situation is about. He is a knowledgeable, familiar and peaceful journalist who shines both on the TV screen and in his podcast series, which is heavily based on his own thinking.

Story of the year

Immonen’s selection criteria say that the story is an excitingly peaceful story about a significant social speech. Ilta-Sanomat played racistly dark-skinned Lucia’s comment and asked for thoughts behind the comments.

The story did not build a confrontation but dismantled it. The story is an indication that journalism is about simple good ideas that must be persistent and stylish. Excellent news work that required insight and perseverance.

The story of the year was awarded Joonas Immonen's story about people who racially commented on Lucia, published by Ilta-Sanomat. — The story of the year was Joonas Immonen’s article about people who made racist comments about Miss Lucia, published by Ilta-Sanomie.

Regional story of the year

The regional story of the year was awarded the Sote Reform of the Social Reform by Keski-Ostrobothnia.

The basis was strong and impressive news work in the Central Ostrobothnia welfare area for systematic every economic, administrative and political problems. Without waiting for any announcements, the magazine has longed for the preparation of decisions and the essential information of the current stages of the act. At the same time, they have been analyzed and backed up in a sharp, clear and understandable way. Important role in a watchdog.

Innovator of the year

As a reformer of the year, artificial intelligence news from STT and Bauer Media Radio was awarded.

It was stated that the artificial intelligence radio news project by Bauer Media, together with Bauer Media, frees up the resources for journalism and knowledge, without the recipient suffering. The project, which has won the innovation project of the European News Association’s Innovation Project, will bring reliable news faster to listeners.