Tiedotustorni

Tiedotustorni is a communication structure used to disseminate information to the public and to coordinate authorities during events and emergencies. It is typically a tall, publicly visible tower located in urban centers, transport hubs, or critical infrastructure sites. The term originates from Finnish tiedotus (information) and torni (tower).

A tiedotustorni is usually constructed of steel or concrete and may be several tens of meters tall. It may house loudspeakers, LED or LCD information boards, antennas for radio or data transmission, and a small shelter for staff. Some models include wind sensors and CCTV cameras for situational awareness.

In peacetime, tiedotustornit display public notices, event information, and tourism details. In emergencies, they serve as information hubs for official alerts, evacuation instructions, and reunification information. They may be part of a larger municipal emergency communications network and can be linked to other authorities and digital messaging systems.

Ownership and operation are typically handled by municipalities or regional authorities, with civil protection or public information services responsible for maintenance, readiness testing, and ensuring accessibility. The towers are designed to function as durable, visible points of contact during a crisis and as everyday sources of local information.

History and reach: while not universal outside Finland, the concept echoes public information towers used in many countries. In Finland, tiedotustorni appear in urban planning and disaster preparedness programs as a visible symbol of public communication. See also: Public address system, Emergency communications, Information kiosk, Civil protection.