Mass media statistics: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Mass media statistics
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The statistics have been discontinued. Mass media statistics describe the economy, corporate structures, content, consumption, audiences and labour force of various sectors of mass media. The data are collected from various sources and published in the mass media statistics table service.
Sector coverage (SIMS 3.3)
The data of the statistics are based on various types of sources concerning the operations of Finland’s press, radio, television and digital media services. Some are total data based on administrative and other registers. Some of the sources, on the other hand, are sample surveys.
The primary source data are primarily released elsewhere. However, external parties produce some of the data from their own registers upon request.
A significant portion of the tables on the mass media statistics have undergone further processing.
Statistical unit (SIMS 3.5)
The mass media statistics are based on data collected from Finnish media industry companies, as well as data on the use of media by individuals and data on the media consumption of households. Data on some of these are available annually while on some less frequently.
Statistical population (SIMS 3.6)
The mass media statistics describe the economy, enterprise structures, contents, consumption, audiences, internationalisation and labour force of the different sectors of mass media. The statistics’ data content is broad and abstract, making the exact definition of the statistical population challenging.
No separate data collection, based on which the statistics would be produced, has been carried out for the purpose of the statistics. The data are collected from several different sources, some of which are data released elsewhere and the data of others obtained through separate surveys. Some are data collected from the other statistics of Statistics Finland, while some of the data derive from external sources.
Reference area (SIMS 3.7)
The mass media statistics mainly describe Finland’s media market and data on how individuals in Finland use and consume media. The statistical release on the mass media market assesses the value of Finland’s mass media market in euros.
Time coverage (SIMS 3.8)
The statistics on the mass media market in Finland have been released since 1997. Some parts of the mass media statistics extend even further back, however. For example, data on the number of magazine and periodical titles go as far back as 1938. A majority of the data are annual time series data. The data are final data. If an item of data is preliminary, this is indicated in a footnote.
Unit of measure (SIMS 4)
Numerous units of measure are used in the released data, including EUR million, million pcs, percentage, etc. The mass media statistics release more than 200 different tables and graphs, and the unit of measure used varies according to the topic addressed.
Reference period (SIMS 5)
The size of the mass media market is calculated on the annual level. In most other tables in the mass media statistics, the reference period is also a year.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Book
Book is a non-periodical printed publication that is available to the public. There is no page limit, but publications having 4-48 pages form a group of their own, ephemera. In addition to books distributed commercially, also studies, reports and other publications by authorities, municipalities, clubs, associations, educational establishments etc. are considered books. Material for temporary use, such as commercial prints, brochures, price lists, annual reports and programmes are not books.
Domestic film
Statistics compiled on domestic films include films made as wholly Finnish productions, as well as international co-productions having a Finnish majority producer. International co-productions having a foreign majority producer and a Finnish minority producer are not considered domestic films.
National television channel
A national television channel is a channel the modes of transmission (over-the-air, cable, satellite) of which have a combined coverage area that reaches at least 70 percent of the population.
Newspaper
Statistics compiled on newspapers include papers which are published 1 to 7 times a week and which contain national or local news material. Newspapers are divided into daily newspapers, which are published 4 to 7 times a week, and other newspapers, which are published 1 to 3 times a week.
Periodical
A periodical is a magazine published regularly, at least four times a year, which contains articles dealing with either the general or a specific sphere of life. Periodicals also include those journals in the form of newspapers which do not fulfil the criteria for a newspaper with regard to their content or frequency, e.g. trade union magazines.
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Legal acts and other agreements (SIMS 6.1)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Data sharing (SIMS 6.2)
The data of the mass media statistics are released in connection to the updating of the mass media market statistics in November and December, as well as in the Mass media statistics’ table service, which can be found on the website of Statistics Finland. The table service provides tables, graphs and reviews describing the media industry.
Source data (SIMS 18.1)
The statistics are compiled from a number of sources and do not involve actual data collection.
Frequency of data collection (SIMS 18.2)
The data in the mass media statistics are collected on a continuous basis.
Data collection (SIMS 18.3)
No separate data collection has been carried out for the purpose of the statistics.
Data validation (SIMS 18.4)
The data gathered by Statistics Finland and used in the mass media statistics are validated at many stages during the statistical process. During the processing of the data, the quality of the data is ensured through various statistical verification programs, data requests addressed to data providers and/or by comparing the data with previous comparable statistics and other data sources.
Overall accuracy (SIMS 13.1)
The mass media statistics are statistics derived from other statistics and data sources. Therefore, the quality of the source statistics is crucial for the reliability of the statistics. Because there are different types of source statistics, there are also various uncertainty factors. Factors related to the accuracy and reliability of the statistics are described in the footnotes of the tables and the source sections of the reviews.
Any possible errors are corrected and the users are informed about them as quickly as possible. Statistics Finland informs about significant errors to the same extent and through the same channels as in the releasing of the original data.
Notations about corrections and their points of time are added to the corrected releases. If possible, the original, erroneous data are also left visible.
Typographical and other form errors in statistics are corrected as fast and flexibly as possible and no separate notifications are made of them on the web pages.
Information about changes made to statistical databases is posted on the ‘Revisions in the database’ page. Only the latest data are updated in databases.
Deviations from timetables are also regarded as errors. If the release of statistical data is significantly delayed from the announced point of time, information about the delay is posted on Statistics Finland’s home page.
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland
Quality assessment (SIMS 11.2)
The source data of the mass media statistics are largely composed of data already released elsewhere and subject to their own quality assurance process. In the statistics, quality assurance is carried out in cooperation with the experts of other statistics and, if necessary, external experts.
Factors and uncertainties with an impact on the reliability of the statistics are mentioned in the footnotes of the tables in the mass media statistics. Further details on such information can be found in the metadata of the original sources. The quality of the mass media statistics is assessed in several different stages of the statistical process.
Data revision - policy (SIMS 17.1)
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
Timeliness (SIMS 14.1)
The annual release of the mass media statistics in November to December describe the media market of the previous calendar year.
Punctuality (SIMS 14.2)
There are no delays between the release calendar and the actual release date.
Comparability - geographical (SIMS 15.1)
The mass media statistics cooperate with the operators in charge of the media statistics of other Nordic countries. However, the Nordic countries do not have coherent data collection in the field of mass media statistics and the data of the countries are not entirely comparable.
Comparability - over time (SIMS 15.2)
The time series data of the mass media statistics are mainly comparable from one year to the next. Any breaks in the time series are indicated in the footnotes of the tables.
Coherence – cross domain (SIMS 15.3)
The mass media statistics consist of data from many different source statistics. Statistics corresponding to the media market calculation in the mass media statistics are nevertheless not produced elsewhere.
Coherence - internal (SIMS 15.4)
The data content of the mass media statistics is assessed and renewed on a continuous basis while retaining a balanced overall picture of the topic. The statistics describe mass media from established perspectives, such as the economy, enterprise structures, imports and exports, labour force, contents as well as supply, use and consumption.
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.
Frequency of dissemination (SIMS 9)
The annual statistics on the mass media market are released annually in November to December and the Mass media statistics’ table service is updated four times a year.
Online database (SIMS 10.3)
The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment (SIMS 7.2)
The data in the mass media statistics are mostly based on data which are already in the public domain.