The Ministry of Transport and Communications in Finland has announced plans to prepare a one-time state support amounting to 1.05 million euros for the Finnish News Agency (STT). This financial aid aims to help STT maintain its operations and improve its services. Minister Lulu Ranne emphasized that the funding is contingent upon STT and its owners committing to rapidly developing the agency's activities. The ministry recognizes the importance of STT's reliable and neutral news, which fulfills a crucial need for diverse news content and helps ensure Finland’s presence in international news coverage.

In early September, Sanoma Media Finland reported that it plans to significantly reduce or entirely cease its use of STT's news agency and image services, with purchases from STT amounting to nearly three million euros annually. This reduction raises concerns about the agency's future viability and its role in the Finnish media landscape. The government support is seen as a necessary measure to safeguard the operations of STT amid a shifting media environment, where financial sustainability is increasingly challenging for traditional news organizations.

STT, which has committed to continuing its operation as a news and image agency, is facing financial difficulties and has begun reviewing its operations to adapt to the new market conditions. The state’s backing is expected to play a vital role in stabilizing STT’s finances and ensuring it can continue to provide comprehensive news services in a time of significant transition for media outlets in Finland. The outcome of this funding initiative may have broader implications for public service media and the approach to financial support for news agencies in the country.