Estonia

In general, Estonia has a favourable political and media environment for journalists. Concerning physical safety, no killings of journalists or physical attacks on journalists have ever been recorded since Estonia’s independence in 1991. However, according to some research (Ivask, 2020; Ivask & Lon, 2023; Ivask, Waschková Císařová & Lon, 2024) journalists experience threats of violence and hostility because of their investigative reporting and feel concerned about their physical and mental wellbeing. The investigative journalists who have faced court cases initiated by people whose wrongdoings they have disclosed (several SLAPP cases) declare that such cases make them feeling troubled but as the employer takes care of the legal aid, it does not affect their financial security (Mediadelcom, Estonian case study, 2023, https://doi.org/10.23673/re-386). Cyber security in Estonia is highly developed and all media outlets invest in the security of their intranet systems. Despite of continuous cyber attacks, especially by Russia, there have not been serious breaches in these systems. Also, journalists know relatively well how to protect their own social media accounts and websites. Nevertheless, primarily journalists receive hostility directly via their personal communication means. (Ivask & Lon, 2023). A recent study highlights the role of social media influencers who can direct online attacks and enforce “mob censorship” (Ivask, 2025). According to Alma Career Estonia, the average net salary of 80% of Estonian journalists is between 1062 and 2236 EUR a month, while the average net salary in Estonia is between 1102 and 2994 EUR (Palgad.ee, 2025). Most of Estonian journalists negotiate their salaries individually. Therefore, the employment contracts contain very different conditions, depending on media organization. Only National Public Broadcasting (ERR) has a collective agreement for journalists since 2009. However, the competition in the journalistic job market is not very high (despite of rather limited market), there are relatively few freelancers living merely on their journalistic income, and the newcomers find jobs quite easily. There is no practice of using unpaid trainees, and no “ques” behind the doors of the media organizations.

References

Ivask, S. (2020). A way to silence journalists? Estonian female journalists' experiences with harassment and self-censorship. In: Anna Grøndahl Larsen, Ingrid Fadnes & Roy Krøvel (Eds.) Journalists’ Safety and Self-Censorship. Routledge. 

Ivask, S., Lon, A. (2023). “You can Run, but You Cannot Hide!” Mapping Journalists’ Experiences With Hostility in Personal, Organizational, and Professional Domains. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 78 (2). https://doi.org/10.1177/10776958231151302 

Ivask,S., Waschková-Císařová, L. & Lon, A. (2024). “When can I get angry?” Journalists’ coping strategies and emotional management in hostile situations. Journalism, 25 (10), 2099-2116 

Ivask, S. (2025). “It is Easier to Leave Death Threats than to Get Them Taken Down!”–Systematising Journalists’ Battles with Online Mobs. Online first: https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2025.2475181 

Palgad.ee. (2025). https://www.palgad.ee/palgainfo/ajakirjandus-trukindus-ja-meedia/ajakirjanik