Estonia, Markets and Companies, Technology, Telecomunications

Culture Minister Rein Lang said that Tallinn Television is worth for the whole of Estonia to see how Tallinn uses taxpayers’ money.

Tallinn Television has to show at least 14 hours of programme a day and 98 hours a week and besides shows on life in Tallinn, it has to include programmes for young people and children, documentaries, movies, including Estonian documentaries and movies.

Tallinna TV, the television station launched by the city government of Estonia’s capital, started regular broadcasts at the beginning of this year. The city government launched plans of having its own TV channel in 2008 already, claiming that they need an alternative to government-controlled media.

National Broadcasting says that Tallinn TV is most likely the only Estonian media product, closing of which has been demanded as a citizens initiative. Namely thousands of city residents have launched a campaign to close the TV station that has doubtful quality and channel the money for renovating kindergartens. Thousands of signatures have been collected on the internet and thousands joined the corresponding Facebook campaign.

The city needs 1.9 million EUR a year to finance the TV station. The amount allocated for renovation of kindergartens is ten times smaller.

The operating permit last till June 2014.