Ownership & classification
Founded: 1889
Ownership
Helsingin Sanomat is owned by Sanoma Corporation (Sanoma Oyj), Finland's largest media group, through its Sanoma Media Finland unit. The paper traces to the daily Paivalehti, founded in 1889 by journalist Eero Erkko, and was relaunched as Helsingin Sanomat in 1904. Sanoma is a publicly listed company on the Helsinki stock exchange; the founding Erkko family historically held a controlling stake, though ownership is now dispersed among institutional and private shareholders.
Funding
Financed commercially through advertising plus print and digital subscriptions (it operates a paywall and is Finland's largest subscription daily). It receives no state or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
Helsingin Sanomat declares itself politically independent and non-aligned, with a broadly liberal, centrist-to-center-left editorial outlook. Because it is privately and commercially owned by a listed media group with no party or state control, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 77
77/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
164
Articles
164
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now

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Professor: A rare conviction CEO sentenced to near-maximum penalty for regulatory offence

Legislative initiative: Data centres should build or buy new power generation in Finland

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Trump cannot remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board.

Tältä näyttää kuuluisan taiteilijan jättiveistos Mäntässä

Swedish chain pulls a rare feat in Finland Clothing retailer Ikea continues to expand
Recent coverage

In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the

The Court of Appeal sentenced an eagle man to more than 10 years in prison for killing his wife already in previous years of violence
A Finnish man named Kimmo Petteri Efraim Järvisalo was sentenced by a district court to over 10 years in prison for killing his wife in May 2025. The incident occurred in their shared home when he struck his unconscious and heavily intoxicated wife in the chest with a kitchen knife. After the attack, Järvisalo stabbed himself and sought help from a neighbor, who called emergency services. The victim was found unresponsive but survived initial resuscitation efforts before dying later. The court ruled that Järvisalo had knowledge of his actions at the time, despite claiming memory loss. His defense argued that the wife had been self-harming under intoxication, but the court rejected this claim. Järvisalo has a history of domestic violence against his wife, which was corroborated by police reports and witness accounts. He has also admitted to losing his memory after the event. The court ordered him to pay compensation totaling approximately €4,100 to the state and around €8,700 to his wife’s sister for emotional distress, funeral costs, and legal expenses. The case is appealable to the Regional Court of Northern Ostrobothnia.

Explosion at the world's safest holiday resort: This woman is wanted
A powerful explosion occurred at a public location in Monaco, injuring three people seriously. The main suspect is Anastasia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman living in Germany. Interpol issued an international arrest notice for her on Friday, accusing her of attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public place with criminal intent, and involvement in a criminal conspiracy. According to authorities, she disguised herself as a man while delivering a package to a residential building, and detonated the bomb remotely as victims arrived. The attack targeted Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Jermolajev, whose wife and 13-year-old son were among the injured. Media reports indicate severe injuries to the woman, including the loss of both legs, though she is still alive. Jermolajev denies collaboration with Russia and has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship, now holding Cypriot nationality. The incident has shocked Monaco, known as one of the world’s safest tourist destinations.

Supersell-throws possible near Finland as a juhannä We also have to be prepared
The article discusses potential severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall expected around Finland during the summer solstice, based on forecasts by the weather service Foreca. According to Foreca, there is potential for the strongest thunderstorm episodes of the season in Northern Europe, with some areas possibly experiencing 'supercell' thunderstorms. The forecast indicates that while temperatures in southern and western parts of Finland may rise above 25 degrees Celsius, heavy rain and thunderstorms could disrupt celebrations. In Lapland, however, rain may prevent temperature increases, keeping them around 15 degrees. The article notes that a cold front will cross Finland late on the summer solstice evening and Saturday night, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms. These conditions are most likely in North Ostrobothnia and South Lapland on Saturday evening, shifting toward the south and east of the country by morning. Heavy rainfall accumulations in Lapland could exceed 20 millimeters on Saturday, with large accumulations possible in southern regions as well. Thunderstorms remain possible in eastern and southeast parts of Finland on Saturday evening, though the weather will cool a
HS test: In the wine test, low-priced white wines in cartons: three were found to be excellent
Helsingin Sanomat conducted a wine tasting focusing on affordable white wines sold in cardboard boxes. The test evaluated several options in this price range, and three of them were rated as excellent. The article highlights the quality of budget-friendly wines available in a more eco-conscious packaging format. It provides consumers with insights into value-for-money choices in the wine market, emphasizing both taste and sustainability aspects.
Moldovan Prime Minister resigns without explanation
The article reports that the Prime Minister of Moldova has resigned without disclosing allegations against him. The resignation comes amid ongoing political tensions, though specific details about the allegations remain unclear. The situation highlights internal challenges within Moldova's government. The article focuses on the political implications of the resignation but does not provide further specifics on the nature of the accusations.

A little boy was found alive in the rubble in Venezuela six days after the earthquake
A three-year-old boy was rescued from rubble in Venezuela six days after devastating earthquakes on June 7 and 8. The child, identified as Kleiber Morán, was pulled out by a Jordanian rescue team in La Guaira. His condition was reported as stable, and he was taken to a hospital in Caracas. There is uncertainty around his exact age, with President Delcy Rodríguez stating him as three years old and parliamentary speaker Jorge Rodríguez as two. Morán was reportedly the only person rescued from the rubble on Tuesday. Rescue operations typically focus on the first 72 hours, but some survivors have been found after longer periods, such as a teenager and an elderly woman in Japan in 2011 and a girl in Haiti in 2010. Officials note that survival depends on factors like injuries, oxygen levels, and temperature. Over 1,900 people have died, with over 10,000 injured, though the true death toll is feared to be much higher. Many remain trapped in collapsed buildings, and rescue efforts are slow due to lack of equipment.

Did you see this car last weekend?
A white van is suspected of hitting a pedestrian who was crossing a protected path in Kuusankoski, Finland, resulting in the pedestrian's death. The incident occurred on June 27 at around 1:45 AM at the intersection of Kyminkatu and Kymintehtaantie. According to preliminary investigations, the van was traveling along Kyminkatu toward Kuusaanti and collided with the pedestrian. After the collision, the van fled the scene but was soon located by police. The driver is suspected of being heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident and has been arrested. The ongoing investigation includes charges of gross negligence in traffic safety, drunk driving, causing death through negligence, and fleeing the scene. Police are requesting witnesses and information about the vehicle and its movements between Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Arkiruoka | Varhaiskaalista tehty aasialainen coleslaw on luottolisukkeeni läpi kesän
The article discusses a recipe for an Asian-style coleslaw made with early radishes, presented as a trusted dish throughout the summer. The piece focuses on cooking and food preparation, offering a seasonal recipe that highlights the use of fresh, locally available ingredients. It provides instructions on how to prepare the dish, emphasizing simplicity and the benefits of using early radishes. No specific cultural or political context is provided beyond the culinary aspect.
Yleisurheilu | Miesten 100 metrillä kaikkien aikojen kolmanneksi nopein aika, vain Usain Bolt nopeampi
The article reports on a men's 100-meter sprint event where the runner achieved the third-fastest time ever recorded in history, behind only Usain Bolt. The focus is on the athlete's performance, highlighting their speed and placing it within the context of all-time records. No specific details about the athlete, race conditions, or other competitors are provided beyond the record-breaking achievement. The tone is purely informational, emphasizing the significance of the result without commentary on broader implications.

Minister Ikonen defends the productivity objective of artificial intelligence, which is not based on calculations
Minister Ikonen has defended Finland's goal of increasing productivity through artificial intelligence, despite the lack of concrete calculations supporting this objective. The minister emphasized the importance of embracing AI in the public sector, suggesting that the focus should be on taking action rather than waiting for detailed data. This approach highlights a proactive stance towards integrating AI into governmental operations, aiming to enhance efficiency and innovation. However, critics argue that setting such goals without solid evidence could lead to misallocation of resources and unrealistic expectations. The discussion reflects broader debates around the role of AI in public administration and the need for balanced, evidence-based policymaking.
Puolueet | Ylen kannatusmittaus: Kokoomuksen kannatus painui hallituskauden matalimmalle tasolle
The article reports on a poll conducted by Yle, indicating that the Centre Party's support has dropped to its lowest level during the current government's term. The headline highlights the decline in popularity, suggesting a significant shift in public opinion towards the party. The focus is on the political implications of this drop, particularly in relation to the ongoing government performance. No specific figures or detailed breakdowns of the poll results are provided in the excerpt.
Today 's newspaper , July 2 , 2026 .
The article titled 'Päivän lehti 2.7.2026' from Helsingin Sanomat provides a daily overview of news from Finland on July 2, 2026. As no specific content or details are provided in the text, the summary reflects the lack of information available. The headline suggests it is a standard daily news roundup, likely covering various topics such as politics, economy, society, and culture. Without further details, it is difficult to determine the exact focus or significance of the day's news.
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