Vieraskynäkirjoitukset

Vieraskynäkirjoitukset are opinion pieces published in newspapers and magazines where the author is not a regular staff writer. They present a viewpoint on current events, social issues, or public policy and are written by external contributors such as experts, researchers, politicians, celebrities, or ordinary readers. The pieces are typically labeled explicitly as vieraskynä (guest column) to indicate that the author speaks for themselves and not for the publication’s editorial board. This labeling helps readers distinguish personal viewpoints from the publication’s own editorials or regular columns.

Formats and topics can vary widely; contributions may range from brief commentaries to longer essays and are published in online and print sections dedicated to opinions. The submission process also varies: editors may invite guests or accept unsolicited proposals; texts are usually edited for clarity, factual accuracy, and alignment with editorial standards, while trying to preserve the author’s voice.

Vieraskynäkirjoitukset aim to broaden public debate by including diverse perspectives and expertise. They can spotlight niche issues, voices from different communities, or timely arguments that the regular staff does not cover. Critics, however, point out potential downsides such as uneven accountability for opinion pieces, uneven quality, or the risk that external voices could unduly influence public discourse without the same checks as staff-authored content.

In Finnish media, vieraskynäkirjoitukset are a common feature in the opinion sections and are part of the broader practice of inviting external commentary to enrich public conversation.