Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR)
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 under the Public Broadcasting Act and holds the status of a public law body with legal personality. The ERR Council serves as its highest governing body, responsible for strategic planning and oversight of the Management Board, which handles day-to-day operations. The Council includes Members of Parliament, one from each parliamentary group (currently five), and four media experts, all serving staggered terms to mitigate political interference. This composition ensures representation from all political parties and independent experts, safeguarding the broadcaster’s autonomy.
The current CEO (Board Chair) of ERR is Erik Roose, succeeding founding chair Margus Allikmaa. In December 2024, Roose publicly emphasized that while ERR maintains strong editorial independence, its state budget–dependent funding model falls short of European standards for autonomy, lacking mechanisms like a fixed broadcasting fee that many Western European public broadcasters enjoy.
Source of funding and budget
ERR is primarily financed through the state budget and has not aired advertising since 2002. Each year, its budget is submitted to the Riigikogu, Estonia’s unicameral parliament, for approval. Revenue from content sales and services contributes only a minor portion.
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.
In 2025, ERR has operated with a budget of €56.6 million, up from €47.8 million in 2024, largely due to €11 million in Cultural Endowment funding earmarked for the construction of a new broadcasting complex. Core operational funding from the state budget amounts to €40.45 million, with an additional €1.87 million for investments and about €2.5 million from service revenues and products. Total planned expenditures stand at €50.7 million, leaving a projected surplus of €5.9 million. Looking ahead, the 2026 forecast anticipates revenues of €64.5 million and expenditures of €65.8 million, keeping the broadcaster’s financial position stable despite zero real growth in state allocations.
Editorial independence
ERR has a strong tradition of editorial independence, a reputation bolstered by its governance structure. Nonetheless, there have been concerns in recent years about potential political pressure, including resignations of journalists, especially during the time when the far-right EKRE party joined the coalition government in 2019. These incidents raised questions about ERR’s editorial integrity but have not demonstrated direct government control. Journalists and the organization have continued to resist such pressures.
In 2019, two highly visible cases drew attention: commentator Ahto Lobjakas left ERR’s Raadio 2, saying he was forced to choose between “self-censorship and quitting,” while at Postimees journalist Vilja Kiisler also resigned following editorial clashes. These events sparked a wider debate about media freedom in Estonia, with EKRE politicians openly criticising ERR and accusing it of bias.
These incidents, however, do not demonstrate that ERR is under government control. The broadcaster’s journalists have resisted such pressures in the past years, and the station continues to work independently. Additionally, EKRE has never had full control over government, so it has not been 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.”
ERR also employs an ethics adviser, whose mission is to monitor compliance with professional ethics and good journalism practices. The adviser is appointed by the management board with the approval of the ERR Council. While in the past the adviser’s independence was questioned, given the role’s placement within ERR, the position remains crucial in safeguarding ethical standards.
September 2025