Editor Johanna Korhonen demands damages from Lapin Kansa

Johanna Korhonen

Antti Kokkonen

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Journalist Johanna Korhonen, who was sacked from the post of editor-in-chief of the Rovaniemi-based Lapin Kansa newspaper some weeks ago, has started two separate processes regarding the termination of her employment.
     
On Thursday, Korhonen mailed her claim for damages to the Helsinki District Court, demanding compensation for her loss from Lapin Kansa.
      In addition, she has asked the Uusimaa labour protection district to investigate whether or not the termination of her employment could be regarded as occupational discrimination.
     
In fact, Korhonen’s appointment was cancelled before she began her work for Lapin Kansa.
      Korhonen, who left her previous job as editor-in-chief of Journalisti, the newspaper of the Finnish Union of Journalists, was named to the Lapin Kansa post at the beginning of September, and she was to have started at the newspaper in mid-December.
     
According to Korhonen, the reason for the cancellation of her appointment was the revelation that she is living in a registered civil union with another woman.
      A statement issued by the media group Alma Media said that the board of the company decided to cancel the contract because of a ”lack of trust”, denying that the move had anything to do with her having a woman as a spouse.
     
On Wednesday of this week, Antti Kokkonen was appointed editor-in-chief of Lapin Kansa.
      Kokkonen formerly headed the political desk at Helsingin Sanomat.
      He hails originally from Northern Finland, and will take up the position from the beginning of 2009.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Sacked editor Johanna Korhonen to set up new journalist union (23.10.2008)
  Sacked editor plans to demand significant damages from Alma Media (7.10.2008)
  New editor-in-chief dropped from newspaper, allegedly over lesbian relationship (2.10.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat