Mediaehdon

Mediaehdon (literally “media obligation”) is a regulatory concept used in Finnish policy discourse to describe duties imposed on media actors to serve the public interest. It refers to a set of obligations that authorities may attach to media organizations—the broadcasters, publishers, or digital platforms—through licenses, funding agreements, or regulatory rules. Common aims include ensuring a plurality of voices, access to information, accuracy and impartiality in news, and accessibility for audiences with disabilities. In practice, mediaehdon is often explained as the Finnish analogue of public service obligations (PSO) for broadcasters and, more broadly, as a tool to balance commercial incentives with societal needs.

The scope and content of mediaehdon can vary by sector and regulator. Typical requirements may cover local or regional news coverage, emergency information broadcasting, language and accessibility standards, promotion of media literacy, transparency about ownership or funding, or disclosures related to algorithms and recommendation systems. In digital contexts, authorities may require data reporting, platform openness, or content moderation transparency.

The term is predominantly used in policy discussions and regulatory texts rather than as a fixed legal category; different jurisdictions may use alternative labels such as PSO, media pluralism obligations, or licensing conditions. Critics caution that overly stringent obligations can burden innovation and free expression, while supporters argue they are essential to maintaining democratic access to information and media diversity.

See also: public service broadcasting, media regulation, media pluralism.