BROADCASTING ACT
Passed 19 May 1994
(RT I 1994, 42, 680)
entered into force 15 June 1994
amended by the following Acts:
19.04.2000 entered into force 15.05.2000 - RT I 2000, 35, 220
08.03.2000 entered into force 29.03.2000 - RT I 2000, 25, 143
16.06.99 entered into force 24.07.99 - RT I 1999, 59, 613
10.02.99 entered into force 01.06.99 - RT I 1999, 25, 364
25.01.99 entered into force 28.02.99 - RT I 1999, 16, 268
16.12.97 entered into force 01.05.98 - RT I 1998, 2, 42
16.12.97 entered into force 18.01.98 - RT I 1998, 2, 44
08.12.97 entered into force 01.01.98 - RT I 1997, 93, 1564
11.06.97 entered into force 01.11.97 - RT I 1997, 52, 834
25.03.97 entered into force 25.04.97 - RT I 1997, 29, 448
26.06.96 entered into force 26.07.96 - RT I 1996, 49, 953
25.01.95 entered into force 01.01.96 - RT I 1995, 16, 228
16.10.95 entered into force 20.11.95 - RT I 1995, 83, 1437
14.09.94 entered into force 17.10.94.
Chapter 1
General Provisions
� 1. Purpose of Act
(1) The Broadcasting Act provides for:
1) the procedure for broadcasting information and the principles of broadcasting
activities;
2) the conditions for possession and ownership of technical means (transmitters,
transmitters networks) intended for broadcasting information;
3) the bases for foundation and operation, and the procedure for terminating the
activities of legal persons in public law engaged in broadcasting;
4) the procedure for the broadcasting activities of legal persons in private law on the
basis of broadcasting licences.
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� 6. Freedom of activity
(1) Broadcasters have the right to freely decide on the content of their programmes and programme services in compliance with the law and the conditions of a broadcasting licence.
.................. (2) The restriction of the freedom of creation guaranteed by law is punishable under administrative or criminal procedure.
(3) In matters before a court, the court may prohibit the transmission of a certain programme or a part thereof on the bases and pursuant to the procedure prescribed by law.
.................. � 7.1. Freedom of reception and retransmission
(1) Reception and retransmission of radio and television programmes and programme services originating from foreign states shall not be restricted.
(2) By way of derogation from subsection (1) of this section, temporary restrictions may be imposed in accordance with the requirements of international agreements ratified by the Riigikogu, if a television programme or programme service originating from a foreign state:
.................. 2) is likely to incite hatred on grounds of race, sex, religion or nationality;
.................. � 24. Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon
(1) Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon are legal persons in public law which perform the functions of public radio and television organisations on the basis of this Act.
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� 25. Functions of Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon
(1) The functions of Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon are to:
1) advance and promote Estonian national culture, and record, preserve and
introduce its greatest achievements;
..................
4) satisfy the information needs of all nationalities, including minorities;
..................
� 26. Basic requirements for programmes and programme services of
Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon
(1) In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 of this Act, the
programmes and programme services of Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon shall
facilitate:
1) the preservation and development of the Estonian nation, language and culture;
2) the strengthening of Estonian statehood;
3) the advancement of Estonia�s international reputation.
..................
� 35. Budgets of Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon
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(2) The revenue of Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon are formed from:
1) taxes established by law;
2) direct allocations from the state budget;
3) advertising for which the Broadcasting Council shall decide on the broadcasting
procedure, price, use and amount; the amount of advertising shall not exceed 5 per
cent of the daily transmission time of the programme service of one Eesti
Televisioon channel and two Eesti Raadio channels of which one is in a foreign
language; (08.03.2000 entered into force 29.03.2000 - RT I 2000, 25, 143)
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Source: Estonian Legal Translation Centre
http://www.legaltext.ee/indexen.htm
