Media law limits press freedom in Estonia

The parliament in Tallinn approved changes in media law on Thursday which include a loosening of source protection and compensation during illness.

The daily Eesti Päevaleht is worried:

“Journalism does not need this new law because it was just nodded through and endangers the democratic values of Estonian society, including freedom of the press, a main foundation of democracy. So this new law affects not only the media but society as a whole, because the threat of punishment will put a damper on courageous citizens who might otherwise speak freely. Every critical statement becomes punishable if it is determined ‘inappropriate’. And journalists aren’t the only ones who write every day about the offences committed by officials – the average retiree on the street will also be banned from calling the prime minister a robber for reducing his pension. This law benefits only those who have enough money for a good lawyer.”

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Federal Agency for Civic Education / Germany

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