julkituomiseen

Julkituominen, literally “public judgment,” is a Finnish term that refers to the act of making a judgment or condemnation publicly known. In its formal sense it denotes the public pronouncement of a verdict or sentence by an official authority, such as a court, or the publication of a decision in official records. In broader usage the term can also describe acts of public condemnation carried out by media, institutions, or social groups, where a person’s actions are exposed and judged before a wide audience.

Legal context and practice: In Finland, court proceedings are generally open to the public, and the essential elements of a verdict—facts, reasoning, and the sentence—are made public through the court’s pronouncement or the published judgment. Publicity aims to ensure transparency and accountability, but privacy and data-protection rules limit sharing certain personal information, especially involving minors or sensitive cases. The concept of julkituominen thus covers the formal public announcement of a judgment as well as the public dissemination of its substance.

Social and ethical dimensions: Beyond courts, julkituominen is used to describe naming-and-shaming phenomena in media and online contexts. Proponents argue that public condemnation can deter wrongdoing and inform society; critics warn of herd behavior, damage to reputation, and potential due-process risks when judgments are formed in public before all facts are known. The term intersects with debates about media ethics, digital civility, and the balance between transparency and individual rights.

See also: public trial, judgment, sentencing, naming and shaming, media ethics, judicial transparency.