Journalism education turns 100 – the diverse and socially impactful field continues to attract
In 2025, both Tampere University’s journalism education and Finnish journalism education as a whole mark their 100th anniversary.
The central theme of the anniversary year is the rich and eventful history of journalism and its future – a future that journalism education has helped to shape from the very beginning.
Marko Ala-Fossi, Head of the Communication Sciences Unit, how is journalism education doing at Tampere University?
“Journalism is doing quite well! Despite the transformation of the media landscape and the decline in traditional journalist positions, the field has retained its appeal. Journalism admits the largest number of students within our multidisciplinary Communication Studies Programme. Each year, 39 new students are admitted to study journalism – 22 through certificate-based admissions and 17 via the now nationwide entrance exam for communication sciences.”
“So, we continue to attract some of the most talented students of their age group. They are taught by a highly skilled and academically accomplished teaching and research staff. In addition, our annually changing Professor of Practice in Journalism post brings in valuable experience and fresh perspectives from the field. We also have state-of-the-art learning environments and teaching equipment. We are working hard to maintain and develop all of this because nothing and no one excels on their own.”
Journalism at 100 has deep roots at Tampere University. How do these traditions influence education today?
“One could say that traditions carry a sense of responsibility. We are well aware that, as the oldest journalism educator in the Nordic countries and the largest in Finland, Tampere University bears a special responsibility for the development of teaching and research in the field.”
“The operating environment is changing rapidly, and competition for resources is intensifying, which means that holding on to our position requires better performance year after year.”
Professor of Journalism Laura Ahva: where is journalism education at Tampere University heading and why?
“The core principle is that journalism studies involve both researching and practising journalism, and we are continuing along that same path.”
“We are currently revising the curriculum, with special attention to the rapid pace of technological change – especially in terms of responsibility. It is about how to practise journalism responsibly and reliably in the age of artificial intelligence.”
Journalism education at Tampere University continues to attract applicants through the joint application system. What draws new students to journalism?
“We have studied this in a project where we interviewed journalism students from Tampere University and Turku University of Applied Sciences. According to the research, students are drawn to journalism because they like to work with texts and images, and they want to engage with people.”
“As a field, journalism offers diversity and societal impact, which appeals to students. As a whole, the media and communication sector is attractive – and journalism is a part of that.”
You are both involved in organising the Journalism Education 100 Years celebration, which will be arranged on 3 October 2025. How will the centenary be celebrated, and what special events are planned?
“There will be a daytime celebration at the University’s main auditorium in the main building on the city centre campus. Our keynote speaker is Professor Mark Deuze from Amsterdam, one of the most renowned contemporary researchers in our field. He is an excellent speaker and will talk about journalism as a creative profession. He will give his presentation in English, but the language of the other parts of the programme is Finnish. We will also get a first glimpse of the forthcoming history of journalism education, along with insightful perspectives from working journalists.”
“We are also looking forward to the evening celebration organised by our student association, Vostok. They have a fantastic approach to event planning, which is truly admirable. The evening event filled up in no time, which is wonderful to see. It is great how many people want to join us to celebrate journalism education.”
The oldest journalism educator in the Nordic countries
- In Finland, journalism education began at the newly established Civic College in Helsinki, with training for ‘newspapermen’ among its first degree programmes in 1925.
- In 1930, the institution was renamed the School of Social Sciences (YKK).
- YKK relocated to Tampere in 1960 and became Tampere University in 1966 with the establishment of new faculties.
- Tampere University is the oldest journalism education institution in the Nordic countries and the largest in Finland.
- Over 4,000 students have graduated from the journalism programme at Tampere University.
Explore the history of journalism education and read teachers’ and students’ memories
The e-book Muistoja 100 vuoden varrelta (in Finnish, Memories from 100 Years), edited by Kaarle Nordenstreng, Kari Koljonen, and Hanne Vuorela, brings together the history of journalism education. The book also includes ten overviews of the programme’s specialisations. Explore the e-book.
What has the journey of journalism education looked like? Vilhelmiina Penttilä’s article “100 years of journalism school” uses photo archives to trace the path of journalism education from its early days to the present. Read the article.
The centenary celebration website features memories from former teachers and students across the decades. What was everyday life like for journalism students in different eras? How did ‘mass communication studies’ evolve into journalism? And what role has the student magazine Gonzo played for the students? Read the stories on the celebration site.
