ERR ethics adviser clears live debate after politician falls ill

ERR journalism ethics adviser Tarmu Tammerk said continuing ETV’s live debate after a politician fell ill did not constitute a breach of journalistic ethics, according to ERR.

Kristo Enn Vaga, secretary-general of the Reform Party and a member of Estonia’s parliament, became unwell during a September 9 episode of Esimene stuudio, a debate programme featuring the parliamentary parties. He was taken from the studio by ambulance to an emergency department for examinations.

Vaga was discharged later that night and is recovering.

According to Tammerk, Vaga initially believed he could continue taking part in the debate despite feeling unwell. He remained responsive and even raised his hand to speak. When his condition worsened, the programme team quickly helped him leave the studio. The sensitive moments were not shown to viewers.

Staff provided Vaga with first aid in the studio’s foyer until the ambulance arrived. Tammerk said the programme team decided to continue because the situation had been resolved from the perspective of the broadcast: Vaga had been removed from the studio and placed in the care of medical professionals.

He said decisions during live broadcasts had to be made quickly and based on the information available at the time. However, Tammerk acknowledged that the incident had affected the programme’s flow and balance. A short break could have reduced the tension and given the hosts, guests and viewers time to adjust, he said.

Tammerk said the editorial team would review whether a break would have been a better solution and discuss how to prepare more effectively for similar unexpected situations in the future.

He added that stopping the programme was also a possible option, but that doing so could have drawn unnecessary attention to Vaga’s condition if the situation could be handled and the guest wished to continue. Similar incidents in live debates had previously been dealt with out of viewers’ sight, sometimes with guests being given a chair, water or a towel before continuing.

Tammerk said the presenters could not provide initial medical information live about the exact nature of Vaga’s condition. The response behind the scenes was quick and humane, but not all of it was visible to viewers or needed to be shown in light of the person’s medical privacy.