Toomas Luhats, a member of the board of the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), expressed his views in a recent broadcast on the selection process of council experts, stating that it should not happen within the parliament. He emphasized the need for political independence among the experts chosen by the Cultural Committee of the parliament, arguing that this could be achieved by having them appointed by independent public institutions instead.

Luhats's proposal reflects a broader concern about maintaining editorial independence at ERR, particularly given the influence political affiliations could have on appointed individuals in the council. He noted the inherent conflict of interest that arises within parliamentary committees, where coalition and opposition dynamics could inadvertently sway the impartiality of the selected experts. By allowing organizations like the Estonian National Opera or the National Library to recommend candidates, Luhats believes that a more autonomous group of experts could emerge, which would help assuage fears of political bias.

Additionally, Luhats mentioned that the government should reconsider its financial support strategy, hinting at the need for reforms in funding arrangements to further bolster the ERR's institutional independence. His recommendations aim to open up discussions on how to best safeguard the integrity of public broadcasting in Estonia, ensuring it remains free from political pressures that might undermine its mandate to provide unbiased news and information.