Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

It is possible to ban Internet radio on the territory of Estonia only if it incites hatred and violations of the law.

Last week, Russian national multi-media agency Sputnik started operating that expects to start transmitting television and radio broadcasts in 34 languages, including Estonian, at the end of the next year.

Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority Communications and Media Services Department adviser Peter Sookruus confirmed that there are no free radio frequencies currently available.

"This year we had a big radio licenses contest, where 29 radio service operating permits were issued," said Sookruus, adding that it is a long and thorough procedure and then best service provider gets the permit since there is a shortage of frequencies.

Sookruus emphasized that in granting permits, the content of the programme is monitored and its compliance with broadcasting license.

Sookruus said that reacting to the content of Russian channels is difficult since they are typically registered in some EU member state, not Russia.

Sookruus said that certain principles have to be followed with Internet radio stations too. "They cannot incite hatred, cannot call for unlawful conduct. These are the general rules that must be followed in all activities in the media, regardless of where they operate."