Estonia backs plans for independent Russian language TV channel

Estonia's government has backed plans to launch an independent Russian language TV program.

The Ministry of Culture said the new channel would be balanced and reflect the everyday life and culture of Estonia. The new channel will be independent, self-directed, and mainly targeted at Russian-speaking audience, the ministry added.

However, a total of four million euros would need to be sourced to launch the TV channel, pubic broadcasting reports. 

Minister of Culture Urve Tiidus said that the expectations for the Russian-speaking TV channel exist. Studies show that 66% of the local Russian-speaking residents are ready to have a new TV channel.

According to the minister, TV viewers are waiting for the new channel to offer a full-scale program, which is targeted at different interest groups and consisting of, among other things, educational information and entertainment.

(Edited by Rayyan Sabet-Parry)