Users of the website of the Estonian public broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling will in future have to identify themselves with their electronic ID card in order to post their comments.
The portal carried out a test to that effect at the start of the year. Editor-in-chief Rain Kooli believes this step is indispensable:
“We know from history that the fear of all that is new and of an uncertain future combined with effective propaganda can lead to a very tragic ending when an imaginary enemy is suddenly replaced by real people. For that reason today more than ever a sense of responsibility is a key component of the freedom of speech and opinion. But the freedom of speech and opinion does not mean that everything is permitted. Keeping this freedom within the framework of legality, truthfulness, objectivity and basic politeness is the right of every journalist. No, not the right: the duty.”
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