Sacked editor plans to demand significant damages from Alma Media

Left Alliance withdraws election advertising from Alma Media tabloid

Johanna Korhonen

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Johanna Korhonen, who was sacked from the post of editor-in-chief of the Rovaniemi-based Lapin Kansa newspaper last week, plans to take the paper’s owner Alma Media to court for illegal termination of employment.
      As Korhonen sees it, she was dropped from the paper when Alma Media found out that she lives in a registered partnership with another woman. Alma Media has denied the accusation, saying that the reason for the dismissal was that she had been untruthful during her job interview.
     
Korhonen said that she plans to demand significant damages in court. On Monday she would not name an exact figure.
      Korhonen is also considering filing a criminal complaint or a request for investigation on the basis of work discrimination. The police can also start a preliminary criminal investigation without an outside complaint.
     
Police in Rovaniemi have received a request for an investigation into comments made by outgoing Lapin Kansa editor-in-chief Heikki Tuomi-Nikula. According to the Finnish News Agency STT the police have not yet decided if the request gives cause for a preliminary investigation.
      Tuomi-Nikula had said, among other things, that it would be difficult for an “openly lesbian” person work as editor-in-chief of Lapin Kansa.
     
The Left Alliance said on Monday that it had withdrawn all of its election advertising from the late edition tabloid Iltalehti because of the actions of Alma Media CEO Kai Telanne. The party had budgeted EUR 11,000 for advertising in the printed and online editions of Iltalehti.
      Like Lapin Kansa, Iltalehti is an Alma Media newspaper. Left Alliance Party Secretary Sirpa Puhakka says that individual candidates may advertise in Alma Media newspapers if they wish.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Outgoing Lapin Kansa editor to take leave until retirement, Alma Media CEO refuses to go (6.10.2008)
  Lapin Kansa journalists demand resignation of Alma Media CEO and papeŕs editor (3.10.2008)
  New editor-in-chief dropped from newspaper, allegedly over lesbian relationship (2.10.2008)

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