ERR seeks to restore Lääne and Hiiumaa correspondent post

Estonian Public Broadcasting, ERR, wants to restore its correspondent position covering Lääne County and Hiiumaa, ERR reported, citing county newspaper Lääne Elu. ERR news editor-in-chief Joosep Värk said he hoped to do so next year, but could not make that promise while state budget and ERR budget negotiations were under way.

Värk declined to comment on his predecessor Anvar Samost’s decision to abolish the position a few years ago, saying the choice had been made under circumstances he found difficult to assess retrospectively. He said his own aim was to restore the post.

Värk also said ERR had not yet calculated the cost of re-establishing the Lääne and Hiiumaa correspondent position and therefore did not want to speculate on a figure.

Silvia Sool, who has previously worked in the role, will become ERR’s Pärnu County correspondent on October 12. The current correspondent, Kristi Raidla, will become head of communications at the Rescue Board.

Until the Lääne and Hiiumaa position is restored, Sool will cover topics in Lääne County twice a month. Coverage will increase if an important event or crisis occurs, with reporters travelling there from Tallinn when necessary.