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ESTONIA
The Government respects constitutional provisions
providing for freedom of speech and the press. The
media routinely do probing and thorough investigative
reporting. Foreign newspapers and magazines are
widely available. All newsprint, printing, and
distribution facilities now are private companies.
There are four major national Estonian language and three
Russian language dailies, in addition to important
weeklies. In a widely reported 1997 case, a
well-known journalist was tried and convicted for
insulting the spouse of a prominent politician in a
newspaper interview and received a fine. The
sentence was upheld by all levels of the judiciary.
The European Court of Human Rights agreed in 1998 to hear
the case.
State
broadcast media, including one nationwide television
channel, continue to receive large subsidies, and the
State has assured that these subsidies are to
continue. The cultural committee of Parliament
plans to allocate a certain percentage of the state
budget to finance state television. Beginning in
1998, state television does not receive money from
commercials. However, it receives subsidies from
program sponsors. Independent channels and state
television have entered into an agreement whereby
independent channels provide financial support to state
television, as state television has agreed to cease
broadcasting commercials.
There are
several major independent television and radio
stations. Several Russian language programs, mostly
produced in Estonian, are broadcast over state and
private television channels. The Government played
a key role in encouraging Russian language programs on
state television. These Russian programs include
highly professional talk shows and comprehensive news
broadcasts. Russian state television and Ostankino
programs are widely available via cable.
Estonia still
lacks a law on freedom of information. The
governmental expert committee has worked out a draft law
but it has become an object of criticism. Neither
journalists nor parliamentarians agree with the draft
law. The main criticisms are that the draft bill
does not define official information and that the bill
allows officials to withhold official information.
Academic
freedom is respected.
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