Censorship in Finland, 1942

[Rene385273]

Dear members

In January 1942 the Finnish Government (and Valtion Tiedoituslaitos) introduced censorship upon all criticism related to the child transports to Sweden and Denmark. Does anyone know if these scripts can be found in full length anywhere?

They are mentioned in Pertti Kavéns doctoral dissertation from 2010 and his book Sotalapset. Toiveet and todellisuus from 2011, but only partially quoted. The dates for censorship was: Valtion tiedotuslaitoksen tarkastusjaoston ohjeet julkaisuntarkastustoimistoille 22.01.1942. Ohje nro. 1792/J.3. (and) Tarkastusjaoston ohje 26.01.1942, jolla kumottin aiempi 22.01.1942 annettu ohje.

Thank in advance'

[Lammio]

Go to https://astia.narc.fi/astiaUi/search.php

and search for

Valtion tiedotuslaito*

Note asterix at end

[Rene385273]

Thank you Lammio.

Unfortunately, this will require a minor trip to Finland as the material seems archived.

Do you know if it can be found digital or in any books?

[Lammio]

Do you know if it can be found digital or in any books?

I have no idea but if they are digitized the search results have a link to them

Näytä digitoidut asiakirjat

[Seppo Koivisto]

I just looked for my own interest what Kavén had quoted in his dissertation.

Guideline on 22 January 1942:

Jos lehdet haluavat esittää epäilyksiään siitä, onko suomalaisten lasten siirto Ruotsiin tarpeen vaatima toimenpide, on tällaisten kirjoitusten hyväksymisen ehtona, että niissä annetaan täysi tunnustus Ruotsin hyväntahtoisille aikeille. Väheksyviä, epäluuloisia tai arvostelevia lausuntoja Ruotsin suhtautumisesta Suomeen taikka Ruotsin nykyisestä ja vastaisesta poliittisesta asemasta ei saa tuoda julki, vaan on yksinomaan rajoituttava käsittelemään huolestumista, johon lasten maastavienti saattaa antaa aihetta.

If papers wish to express doubts, if the transfer of Finnish children to Sweden is a necessary measure, the condition of approval of such writings is, that full recognition of Sweden's benevolent intentions is given. Contemptuous, skeptical or critical statements about Sweden's attitude towards Finland or Sweden's current and future political status must not be published, but must be limited to addressing the concerns that the tranfer of children may give rise to.

Which was changed on 26 January 1942 due to negative writing:

Kaikki negatiiviset kirjoitukset lasten siirrosta Ruotsiin on ehdottomasti kiellettävä.

All negative writings about the transfer of children to Sweden must be strictly prohibited.

https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/23826 pages 152-153

[Rene385273]

Dear Seppo

Thanks for your reply. And your interest in the subject of course.

Yes, the quotations appear from both works by Pertti Kavén (2010 and 2011). Thank you for translating both quotes btw. My hope was someone had the full version of the document or knew where to find a digital version of the full document. Based on Lammio's reference, I have contacted the National Archives in Helsinki for a copy. Unfortunately, their wait is 2-4 months.

Kiitos