Taavi Eilat to co-host ETV debate show Impulss

Journalist Taavi Eilat will join Anna Pihl as a host of ETV’s weekly debate show Impulss when it returns on September 1, ERR reported.

Eilat, best known for the television programme Pealtnägija, has worked as a journalist on current affairs and investigative topics for more than 10 years. He will lead a weekly debate programme for the first time.

“This is a great opportunity and a very great responsibility that has been entrusted to me with hosting Impulss. I hope I will not let down decision-makers, but even more so the viewers,” Eilat said.

He added that his experience covering a wide range of topics for Aktuaalne Kaamera and Pealtnägija, often at short notice, would help make Impulss more topical. He cited issues including people’s ability to cope financially, the advance of artificial intelligence and health.

Anna Pihl, who has hosted Impulss since its first episode, said the coming season would be different in several ways. Alongside the new host, the studio design will also be updated to make discussions more spontaneous and faster-paced.

“We want to bring all the guests together around one large round table. The aim is to create a more substantive and less divisive culture of debate, both on our programme and in Estonian society more broadly,” Pihl said.

The editorial team has already held its first meetings and has many topics planned for the autumn season. Pihl said the programme would address hot-button issues such as the presidential elections and migration.

Eilat said the show would also look ahead to trends shaping the changing world and discuss issues whose effects people may not yet clearly recognise but which could reach them years later. He cited the birth-rate crisis and the technological divide among the population as examples.

The day before Impulss returns, Eilat will also host the traditional programme Hapud kurgid on ETV, reviewing the summer’s most important news topics.

Changes are also expected at the Pealtnägija editorial team because of Eilat’s new role on Impulss. Further details will be announced shortly.