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Respected Championship reporter Jari Porttila elected chairman of the Finnish Sports Journalists Association
Jari Porttila has been elected as the chairman of the Finnish Sports Journalists Association
HELSINKI, March 25, 2025 - Jari Porttila, one of Finland’s most experienced sports journalists, was unanimously elected chairman of the Finnish Sports Journalists Association at a meeting held in Helsinki.
Jari Porttila has worked as a sports journalist since 1980, beginning with the newspapers Uusi Suomi and Iltalehti until the end of 1991. Since 1992, he has worked for Finland’s largest commercial TV company, MTV. Among other accomplishments, Porttila founded MTV’s sports news program Tulosruutu.
Currently, Porttila provides athletics commentary on MTV’s distribution channels and produces a special weekly sports program called Kisakatsomo. He also writes sports articles for various publications. Porttila has authored seven books so far, with more on the way this autumn.
Porttila is one of Finland’s most experienced sports journalists. He attended his first major international tournament in 1982, covering the Ice Hockey World Championships for Iltalehti. Since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, he has reported from 13 Olympic Games onsite and has covered major championships in over 40 different sports.
He has been recognized with an honorary diploma from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and has received the Golden Medal of Merit from the Finnish Olympic Committee.
"Sports journalists are some of the most important content creators in media companies. Sports stories are among the most watched and read across media, and that must be reflected in the respect our field receives," Porttila emphasizes.
"Every self-respecting media house should employ sports journalists. As chairman of the association, I will do everything in my power to ensure this is acknowledged in the media landscape."
Porttila also plans to focus on international efforts. "In the late 20th century, Finnish sports journalists still had influence within AIPS. I aim to ensure that we can once again offer AIPS our experience and expertise for international cooperation," Porttila concludes.
Jari Porttila has worked as a sports journalist since 1980, beginning with the newspapers Uusi Suomi and Iltalehti until the end of 1991. Since 1992, he has worked for Finland’s largest commercial TV company, MTV. Among other accomplishments, Porttila founded MTV’s sports news program Tulosruutu.
Currently, Porttila provides athletics commentary on MTV’s distribution channels and produces a special weekly sports program called Kisakatsomo. He also writes sports articles for various publications. Porttila has authored seven books so far, with more on the way this autumn.
Porttila is one of Finland’s most experienced sports journalists. He attended his first major international tournament in 1982, covering the Ice Hockey World Championships for Iltalehti. Since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, he has reported from 13 Olympic Games onsite and has covered major championships in over 40 different sports.
He has been recognized with an honorary diploma from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and has received the Golden Medal of Merit from the Finnish Olympic Committee.
"Sports journalists are some of the most important content creators in media companies. Sports stories are among the most watched and read across media, and that must be reflected in the respect our field receives," Porttila emphasizes.
"Every self-respecting media house should employ sports journalists. As chairman of the association, I will do everything in my power to ensure this is acknowledged in the media landscape."
Porttila also plans to focus on international efforts. "In the late 20th century, Finnish sports journalists still had influence within AIPS. I aim to ensure that we can once again offer AIPS our experience and expertise for international cooperation," Porttila concludes.
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