April 25-26, 2024, Iso-Paja, Yle’s Broadcasting Center
Radiokatu 3, Helsinki, Finland
Program (PDF) (web)
Live stream
Registration (free)
In 2026, Yle, the Finnish Public Broadcasting Company, will mark its 100th anniversary, representing a century of rich cultural, social, and technological history. To commemorate this milestone, Yle has launched the Yle 100 Research Program, a comprehensive four-year research initiative aimed at delving into the Yle’s history and its profound impact on Finnish society, culture, and identity. The dedicated research team behind the Yle 100 Research Program cordially invites scholars and stakeholders passionate about public service media history to join us for an insightful small-scale conference.
The conference will open with a keynote speech by Gilles Marchand, Member of the Executive Board of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Director General of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR on Thursday 25 April. The keynote speaker on Friday 26 April will be Professor Kristina Riegert (Södertörn University | Stockholm).
Gilles Marchand (EBU, SRG SSR)
The conference will focus on three core themes: ”Digital Horizons” will examine the historical adaptation of Nordic public broadcasting in the digital era, assessing its impact on public perceptions, cultural identities, and societal narratives through digital platforms. ”Media and National Identity” will explore the historical role of public broadcasting in fostering media literacy and shaping Nordic national identities, investigating its contribution to cultural awareness among Nordic audiences. Lastly, ”Navigating Nordic Voices” will trace the historical journey of public broadcasting as a transnational force, analyzing its role in navigating cultural changes, technological advancements, and its impact on cultural identity in Nordic countries and Northern Europe.
Kristina Riegert (Södertörn University| Stockholm)
The program also includes presentations that are linked to the general change in the media landscape in Finland and the Nordic countries. Are technology, populism, political pressure, fragmentation of the media landscape and the bubbling up of the public sphere forcing a new interpretation of the role of the public service, or is the political struggle simply returning to questions of resources and content?
Registration for the conference is free. Please register by April 18, 2024.
Page photo: Antero Tenhunen; Yle, 1976.