The documentary series starring Arman Alizadi has been shown on Nelose and Ruudu.
Arman Alizad’s documentary series has sparked discussion on social media. ATTE KAJOVA
A five-part documentary to be shown on Nelose and Ruudu Arman and an ode to Finnish food has sparked discussion on social media.
The description of the series states that the documentary “leads Arman Alizadi to follow the journey of Finnish food from the fields to the dining table”.
All five parts of the documentary have already been published in the fall on Atria’s YouTube channel. Alizad has also published the content of the documentary on his social media channels. Alizad has marked the contents as “commercial cooperation”.
There has been a critical discussion on social media about whether Nelonen presents advertising content in the form of documentaries. For example, the Animal Rights Academy organization says messaging service in Threads that he filed a complaint about the documentary with the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority. In addition, the organization’s executive director, animal philosopher Elisa Aaltola, has filed a complaint with the Advertising Ethics Council, according to the publication.
– At the beginning, a short text “In cooperation with Atria” flashed, but otherwise the program did not indicate in any way that it was an advertisement. The viewer was left with a strong impression that it was a documentary made by a well-known TV personality, not an advertisement, writes the publication of the Animal Rights Academy.
The chairman of JSN answers
Cases like Alizad’s documentary are overseen by the Public Speech Council.
Eero Hyvönen, chairman of JSN, tells Iltalehti by email that a few complaints have been made to the Public Speech Council about the publication of the document.
– In all the complaints, the program is interpreted as violating Journalist’s guideline 16, which prohibits hidden advertising and requires that the advertising be clearly distinguished from the editorial material, Hyvönen says.
According to Hyvönen, one of the complaints is directed at the Journalist’s instructions 2 and 4. These concern the journalist’s professional status.
JSN has previously issued a final decision on what was presented to Nelose in 2020 Riku Rantala & 100 questions about the climate from the TV series. Falling came from Journalist’s instruction 2.
JSN’s press release stated that the sponsor of the series hosted by Rantala was the energy company Fortum, whose experts appeared in half of the episodes of the program series and whose idea of cooperation with the series’ production company had originated
The complaint was made by the Hiilivapaa Suomi campaign. According to the complaint, the program mixed journalistic content with Forum’s corporate communications.
JSN stated that Nelonen had violated point 2 of the Journalist’s instructions, which prohibits handing over journalistic decision-making power to outsiders. According to JSN, journalistic choices already start with the choice of topics and authors.
Traficom commented
According to Hyvönen, one of the complainants in Alizad’s documentary appeals to the legislation on sponsored programs and advertising. Compliance with it in Finland is monitored by Traficom.
Leading expert Petri Makkonen Traficom says that according to the law, sponsorship must be announced either at the beginning or at the end of the program.
– Normally, these are such that in cooperation with company x or the program is offered by company x. They must not be advertising, but fairly neutral announcements, Makkonen opens.
According to the law, the share of advertisements and teleshopping broadcasts cannot exceed 20 percent between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and midnight.
– Regarding a single hour, it is not possible to say whether there are too many advertisements, because there is such a long time in which they can be placed, Makkonen opens.
According to Makkonen, there have been no complaints to Traficom about the documentary.
Alizad commented
Alizad, who hosts the documentary series, tells Iltalehti by text message that the discussion around the series has partially met him. According to Alizad, the series was made in open cooperation with a food industry operator, and at no point was it attempted to be presented as an independent investigative journalistic project, in Alizad’s words.
– The starting point has been to open up the Finnish food production chain, the people behind it, and the values and choices that affect what ends up on Finns’ plates, Alizad says.
– For me, as a documentarian, transparency is key. I myself have been responsible for the content, so the angles and visits are my own decisions. The context or nature of the collaboration is not hidden from the viewer. At the same time, I insist that the content is truthful and that people and things are presented honestly, he continues.
Nelonen Media did not respond to Iltalehti’s request for comment.
