10.2.2025

20 years on the air – Professor Kimmo Grönlund analyses politics with education and humour

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Kimmo Grönlund’s first assignment as an expert political commentator for MTV3. We take a look back with the professor.

What are the most memorable events during your time as a political expert on MTV3?

The memories are so many and most of them funny! In autumn 2005 when I started commenting, everything was exciting and you were flattered by the media attention. It was also a surprise what an impact television has as a medium. Suddenly, I was a bit of a celebrity during the 2006 presidential election. MTV3 led to many other media outlets seeking comment and at times it was heated. Over time, I have learnt that you don’t always have to answer the phone when the media call and nowadays I usually decline interviews if they are not directly related to my expertise.

The funniest memories are actually from meetings with MTV3’s incredibly competent journalists, other experts and politicians. Over the years, I have met most of the leading politicians in Finland on MTV and found that their media image rarely coincides with how they behave when they talk to you in person. In Finland, many politicians have a rather stiff demeanour on TV and their charm comes out more when you meet them face-to-face. Of course, sometimes it’s the other way round.

What qualities and skills do you consider most important to become a successful political expert?

A political expert should be careful not to let his or her own political views come out. Otherwise you lose your credibility. That’s why I always try to base myself on scientific research results if possible. Often, however, the issues are such that there is no research that can be used directly. In that case, you should comment as objectively as possible. The long experience has given me a certain routine. Perhaps a good mark is that there have very rarely been negative reactions from viewers. Praise, on the other hand, has been sent both to MTV3 and to me directly. It is extremely warming.

When it comes to TV commentary, it is important to speak simply and avoid typical scientist phrases. ‘On the one hand… and on the other hand…’ does not work well on TV. To my younger research colleagues, I would also say: ‘Don’t think of your critical colleagues when you comment. You are speaking to the people. It is a talent to be able to simplify complicated issues into summaries that the average person can understand. Also remember that it is allowed to be personal and a bit funny.’

Has the role changed with the rise of social media or other societal trends? In what way?

Yes, it has. A lot. Ten years ago I started a Twitter account and at the beginning I struggled to find a balance between what was expert posting and what was private. I’ve never been on Facebook and Instagram and I wanted to use Twitter more as a private person but it turned out to be impossible. When I let my guard down and expressed my own opinions, I could get negative reactions. Then I learnt that people think a political science professor is always a political science professor. With X, I’ve almost stopped posting and moved to LinkedIn but it’s not the same thing at all. At the moment I’m wondering if other social media would be for me or am I better off not setting up other accounts. Social media is also a terrible time stealer! Maybe better to do research instead. Or swimming, which is my passion.

The production around the 2024 presidential election was awarded a Venla. What was special about this election?

It was a wonderful recognition for MTV3’s newsroom, which has been able to produce high-quality programmes and election coverage for all Finnish elections year after year. Even for the giant YLE, the private competition from MTV3 is very important and raises the quality of election coverage in our country.

Moreover, presidential elections are personal elections and the interest from the TV audience is huge. In this election, I had a few different roles during the production: commenting on debates, being interviewed about the importance of the election, and so on, but the most important role was the election watches. There are two of them during a presidential election. The viewing figures were high. The results night of the first round had an average of 574,000 viewers according to the Finnpanel survey, and a total of 1.56 million Finns watched us during the evening. It is a great social responsibility we have.

What’s interesting about the upcoming elections this spring?

Not much. No, I’m joking. But compared to parliamentary elections where the direction of the country is decided, municipal and county elections feel a little less exciting right now. Interest is born locally and regionally, so for a national broadcast the elections are a challenge. The aggregated election results, especially from the municipal elections – Helsinki does not have a county election – will of course be interpreted and conclusions drawn at national level. Personally, I am mostly looking at two parties: the Finns Party and the Swedish People’s Party of Finland, which for various reasons may be affected by their participation in government.