In recent times, there has been an ongoing debate in Finland, where the country's leading newspaper - Helsingin Sanomat - has unearthed old social media messages of ministers that are alleged to be racist. The purpose behind this is to bring down the right-wing government, in which the second smallest party - the Swedish People's Party - is struggling with these issues.
As this has continued for a sufficient period, even those supporting the government have started to search for similar writings from Helsingin Sanomat journalists. The latest revelation includes a few years old social media post by the newspaper's executive editor-in-chief's spouse, Saska Saarikoski. In that post, there was a demand for the then British Prime Minister's head to be placed on London Bridge to dry. Saarikoski has not apologized for his writing.
In a previous case, a nearly ten-year-old article from Helsingin Sanomat was also brought up, in which readers were encouraged to come up with derogatory nicknames for Estonians. The newspaper's editorial staff has not apologized for this message either.
It remains to be seen where this exchange of words will lead. However, it is evident that such confrontation is not beneficial for either the development of Finnish society or its reputation abroad.
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