Svenska social- och kommunalhögskolanille 83 562 euroa erityisteemahankkeelle

In this research project, we will analyze how cross-border changes in ownership of media in Finland impact business models, technical development, and editorial processes from a media management perspective. The takeover by Swedish Bonnier News of six Swedish-language newspapers in Finland marks a radical switch that provides a unique opportunity for researchers to study major changes initiated by new ownership almost in real-time. Using a mixed method approach – interviews, a scoping literature review, and document analysis – we will disseminate key features of the transformation and the logic behind it. In addition, a large-scale survey will reveal how the public feels about the change in ownership.

The aim of this study is to generate new knowledge that will be relevant and useful to media managers, journalists, and other media experts beyond the specific linguistic context. The main outcome will be a report focusing on the experiences of the newspapers involved in the acquisition, as well as audience perspectives, positioned against insights from other cases and studies, including strategies and suggestions regarding ownership models of relevance for other media companies in Finland. 

Hanke on osa vuoden 2024 erityisteemaa: Merkityksellinen omistajuus.