Estonian Public Broadcasting (Eesti Rahvusringhääling, ERR) is Estonia’s radio and television public media group. It was created in 2007 through the merger of Estonian Radio (Eesti Raadio, ER) and Estonian Television (Eesti Televisioon, ETV). The broadcaster currently airs three television channels and six radio channels.
Media assets
Radio: Vikerraadio, Raadio 2, Klassikaraadio, Raadio 4, Raadio Tallinn, Jupiter
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State Funded (ISF)
Ownership and governance
ERR was established in 2007 through the merger of the former national radio and television broadcasters, as per the Public Broadcasting Act. It has the status of a public law body with legal personality.
The highest governing body of ERR is the ERR Council. It is responsible for planning the station’s activities, organizing its management, and supervising the management board, which is in charge of its day-to-day activities.
The Council is composed of Members of Parliament (MPs) and experts in the media field. This includes one representative from each of Riigikogu’s political groups (currently five) and four media experts. The council members serve staggered terms to prevent political interference, such as replacing the board when the parliament changes following elections.
The board’s composition, which includes representatives from all political parties and independent experts, is designed to prevent government control over the corporation’s top governing structure.
Source of funding and budget
ERR is mainly funded by the state budget and has not carried any advertising since 2002. Every year, the broadcaster’s budget is submitted for approval to the Riigikogu, Estonia’s unicameral parliament.
While ERR does earn some income through selling content and other services, this amount is only a small portion of its overall budget. In 2022, as reported in the company’s annual report, ERR operated with a budget of over €40.3m.
In 2023, ERR had a budget of approximately €50.4m, which included state allocations and service sales. The total expenses amounted to around €49.5m, resulting in a net income of approximately €938,000 for the year, according to data from a company report.
Editorial independence
Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) has traditionally been known for its editorial independence and neutrality, mainly due to its organizational structure that ensures fair governance. However, recent incidents, including the resignation of journalists, have raised concerns about the broadcaster’s editorial integrity. These incidents have been linked to the far-right Estonian Conservative People’s Party (EKRE), which formed a coalition government with the Estonian Centre Party, Isamaa, after performing well in the 2019 elections.
These incidents, however, do not demonstrate that ERR is under government control. The broadcaster’s journalists have resisted such pressures in the past year, and the station continues to work independently. Additionally, EKRE does not have complete control over the government, so it is not in a position to dictate the editorial line at ERR.
The ERR is regulated by the Public Broadcasting Act, which establishes the station’s status, objectives, functions, financing, and organization of management and activities. The Act states that ERR “must be independent in the production and transmission of its programs.”
The ERR has an ethics adviser whose mission, as stated by the law, is to monitor ERR’s compliance with professional ethics and good journalism practices. The adviser is appointed by the management board with the approval of the ERR Council.
The independence of the adviser was questioned in the past because, as part of the ERR, they were accused of catering to the station’s interests. However, the adviser’s role is crucial in monitoring the broadcaster’s work. In 2016, the Estonian Parliament attempted to establish legal provisions for an independent third-party adviser separate from ERR, but these provisions were ultimately not approved.
August 2024