Media leaders say dubbing ban threatens economy and security

Estonian media leaders want the language law amended to let broadcasters choose whether to offer foreign-language dubbing and voiceovers, warning that the restrictions could harm the economy and national security, ERR reported.

In a letter to Education Minister Kristina Kallas, the media executives said the ban, adopted this summer, would not achieve its stated aim of protecting Estonian. Instead, they argued, it could weaken Estonia’s shared information space and make media less accessible.

They said the Estonian public broadcaster’s ETV+ television channel had seen audiences for foreign-language series fall by more than 50 percent when Russian voiceovers or dubbing were unavailable. The executives also argued that restricting dubbed content could push Russian-speaking viewers away from Estonian media, increase piracy and make hostile information influence more effective.

The letter’s signatories said the restrictions could reduce broadcasters’ audiences, subscription and advertising revenue, and investment in audiovisual content. They also warned that Estonian media companies would be at a disadvantage compared with foreign and international platforms, which they said Estonia could not restrict in the same way.

They cited the Go3 on-demand audiovisual service as an example of unintended effects. Its catalogue includes Latvian and Lithuanian voiceover options intended for audiences in Latvia and Lithuania. Under the amended law, Go3 would have to restrict that content in Estonia, the executives said, even though it is unrelated to the stated goal of reducing the influence of Russian-language media or language-based segregation.

The media companies proposed restoring providers’ right to offer foreign-language dubbing and voiceovers for foreign-language audiovisual works, provided an Estonian translation is available. They said providers should be able to decide whether to offer additional languages or translation methods.

The letter was signed by Erik Roose of ERR, Jüri Pihel of Duo Media Networks, Toomas Luhats of TV3 Group’s Estonian unit and Risto Rosimannus, representing V World North Europe. Copies were also sent to Culture Minister Heidy Purga and Liina Kersna, chair of the Riigikogu’s Culture Committee.