News & Updates

Seija Vaaherkumpu and Elina Järvinen have been awarded the 2025 Åkerlund Journalism Award. The recognition, granted biennially by the C. V. Åkerlund Media Foundation, honors exceptionally high-quality, responsible, or boundary-breaking media work. The prize amounts to €10,000 per recipient.

This year marks the third time the award has been presented, with the ceremony taking place on May 13, 2025, during the foundation’s board meeting in Tampere.

Both awardees are seasoned journalists who have enriched Finnish media in their own unique ways over decades.

– “Seija Vaaherkumpu and Elina Järvinen are uncompromising professionals whose work combines distinctiveness, precision, and societal impact. They exemplify journalism with lasting influence and a humane touch,” says Mikko Toikkonen, Chair of the Media Foundation’s Board.

Two Different Strengths – A Shared Impact

Elina Järvinen has produced recognizable, authentic, and significant feature journalism for decades. She is admired for her mastery of concise and refined expression, with a broad influence on the Finnish feature journalism landscape. She is also known as a helpful, humble, and steadfast colleague.

Seija Vaaherkumpu is a masterful interviewer. Her firm yet respectful approach puts interviewees at ease and ensures the audience receives the essential questions. She has been a role model for many younger journalists.

Recognizing Finnish Journalism

The Åkerlund Journalism Award was established in 2021, the 90th anniversary year of the C. V. Åkerlund Media Foundation. Through the award, the foundation seeks to highlight journalistic work that challenges and renews – while supporting the public’s understanding of the world.

The Media Foundation funds nationwide media research and education, and is based in Tampere.

🧡 Warm congratulations to Seija and Elina!