By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

TALLINN, Estonia – The leading newspapers of Estonia protested earlier this week the introduction of new national legislation, which would require that all journalists turn over the name of a source if ordered to do so by the government, by leaving the front page of their papers blank.

This legislation, entitled the Press Sources Protection Law, was introduced by the Ministry of Justice.  It requires not only the naming of sources by journalists but also establishes potential fines or imprisonment for those who refuse.  These new potential restrictions on journalists mark a stark shift from the nation’s tradition of strong freedoms of the press.  Reporters Without Borders currently places Estonia as the sixth most open nation in regards to press freedoms.

The editor-in-chief of Postimees, one of the newspapers that participated in the protest, explained the reasoning behind the paper’s actions.  “Estonia’s six major newspapers believe there is no alternative way to make politicians understand the draft legislation is not good.  It significantly inhibits the freedom of the press.”  In addition, the National Newspaper Association and the Journalists Union have announced their disapproval with the legislation.

Some newspapers also noted special concern regarding how this law would be applied when journalists were investigating the government itself, especially on matter of corruption.  If the bill is passed, journalists may be forced to turn over the names of sources to the very government officials who they are investigating for improper actions.

Journalists in Estonia are currently required by the Code of Ethics of the Estonian Press to keep confidential the identities of their confidential sources.

The government, however, has argued that the application of this bill would be narrow and not interfere with the broader rights of the press.  According to Finance Minister Jurgen Ligi, the legislation “is not about the freedom of word.  It is so that the court could acquire information from the press in case of a difficult crime.”

The final vote by the national parliament on the journalism source legislation is scheduled for April 7.

For more information, please see:

DAILY GEORGIAN TIMES – Estonian Newspapers Protest against Bill on ‘Defence of Source’ – 24 March 2010

BALTIC TIMES – Top Estonian papers leave front page blank in protest – 21 March 2010

BALTIC COURSE – Protest: Estonian newspapers publish blank pages – 18 March 2010

RIANOVOSTI – Estonian newspapers protest ‘loss of press freedoms’ – 18 March 2010

BBN – Estonian journalists fear for their sources – 16 March 2010