Yle chief to answer questions about broadcaster’s future

Yle reports that its chief executive, Marit af Björkesten, will discuss the future of Finland’s publicly funded broadcaster on the Ykkösaamu programme on Saturday.

Yleisradio’s first radio broadcast took place exactly 100 years ago on September 9. In recent decades, changes in the media landscape have accelerated, with younger generations increasingly finding news through social media applications rather than traditional media.

Algorithms and artificial intelligence are also challenging journalism, while government spending pressures have reduced Yle’s funding. Debate continues over whether the broadcaster’s remit should be narrowed.

The programme will examine how a publicly funded broadcaster can succeed in a changing world and how Yle intends to remain a significant medium for all Finns.

Seija Vaaherkumpu will interview Björkesten. The live broadcast begins on TV1 and Yle Areena at 10.05 on Saturday. Viewers can submit questions to the chief executive through a form on Yle’s website.