There are 33 radio stations operating in Estonia as of August 1997. One of them, owned by Trio LSL, is building up a national network, while others are local. Although financed from the state budget as well as from advertising, government interference has not been an issue for public service radio and TV since 1990. At the end of 1997 the Broadcasting Council agreed to drop advertising from ETV as of 1998. Private broadcasters consented to compensate ETV for the expected loss of revenue.
Electronic media have more foreign ownership than newspapers.
In libel cases, the burden of proof rests with the media. The press in Estonia is also affected by the Copyright Act , Competition Act, Language Act, Advertising Act and State Secrets Act. There is no Freedom of Information Act. Broadcasting is governed by the Broadcasting Act, passed in 1994. The law provides for the allocation of licences for private broadcasters as well as setting the foundation of public service TV and radio.