Yle Editor-in-Chief Panu Pokkinen Dies at 49

Panu Pokkinen, the editor-in-chief of Yle's news and sports division, has died at the age of 49. Yle announced his passing in a statement, reporting that Pokkinen died in a Helsinki hospital on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest.

Pokkinen's heart stopped unexpectedly during a running exercise while on a vacation in Lisbon in early June. He remained hospitalized in Lisbon for three weeks before being transferred to Finland for further treatment.

Appointed as editor-in-chief in June 2024, Pokkinen previously led Yle's Sports and Events unit. His career also included roles such as head of Yle Sport, news editor-in-chief at Iltalehti, news manager at Ilta-Sanomat, and editor-in-chief of Ruotuväki. He held a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Tampere and a Master of Military Sciences.

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We are truly shocked and saddened by this event. Our thoughts are primarily with Panu's loved ones.

"We are truly shocked and saddened by this event. Our thoughts are primarily with Panu's loved ones," said Yle CEO Marit af Björkesten in the statement. "This is of course a shock to the entire work community as well, to whom we offer all possible assistance. We have lost a wonderful person and a dear colleague."

Krista Taubert will continue as acting editor-in-chief of Yle News and Sports and as a member of the management group for the time being. The Yle board appointed Taubert in early June to deputize for Pokkinen.

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This is of course a shock to the entire work community as well, to whom we offer all possible assistance. We have lost a wonderful person and a dear colleague.