LEAST BIASED
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.
- Overall, we rate Ilta-Sanomat Least Biased based on generally balanced reporting across political topics and the absence of consistent ideological advocacy. The outlet demonstrates High factual reporting due to its use of credible sources, transparent ownership, and long-established journalistic operations, though it occasionally uses tabloid-style headlines.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED (-1.8)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.0)
Country: Finland
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: EXCELLENT
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Ilta-Sanomat (Finnish for “Evening News”) is one of Finland’s largest newspapers and one of two major evening tabloids in the country. Founded in 1932 as the afternoon edition of Helsingin Sanomat, it became an independent newspaper in 1949. The publication is now one of the most widely read news outlets in Finland and reaches millions of readers through its digital platform.
Read our profile on Finland’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Ilta-Sanomat is owned by the Finnish media company Sanoma and operates as a commercial news outlet supported primarily through advertising and digital subscriptions. The publication’s long-standing ownership structure and large audience make it one of the most influential media outlets in Finland.
Analysis / Bias
Ilta-Sanomat is a tabloid-style newspaper that covers national and international news, sports, politics, and entertainment.
For example, the sports article Minja Korhonen’s day of reckoning – she earned more from silver with Ilkka Herola than from gold alone reports on Nordic combined athletes and their competition earnings using straightforward factual reporting.
International coverage such as Claim: The United States made an urgent request for help to Ukraine – Trump still made a rude comment about Zelensky summarizes developments in the Ukraine war while referencing statements from political leaders and other outlets.
Domestic political coverage, including SDP leaders are furious about nuclear weapons – harsh feedback to the government, reports on policy disputes between Finnish political parties and government officials. While the publication uses tabloid headlines and sometimes sensational framing typical of evening newspapers, its reporting generally presents factual information without a consistent ideological slant.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Ilta-Sanomat Least Biased based on generally balanced reporting across political topics and the absence of consistent ideological advocacy. The outlet demonstrates High factual reporting due to its use of credible sources, transparent ownership, and long-established journalistic operations, though it occasionally uses tabloid-style headlines. (D. Van Zandt (03/07/2026)
Source: https://www.is.fi/
Last Updated on March 7, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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