Estonia joins Latvia to impose ban on Russian-language broadcasters

Estonia has joined its neighbour Latvia in blocking a number of Russian-language broadcasters on Friday, in response to this week's invasion of Ukraine.

Estonia's consumer protection and technical regulations authority (TTJA) imposed a one-year broadcast ban on the Russian channels RTR Planeta, NTV Mir, Rossija 24, and TV Centre International.

A similar ban was imposed on Belarus 24.

The TTJA based its decision on the broadcasting Thursday of a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin that justified the invasion.

The broadcasts contravened a ban on incitement to commit a crime and undermined public safety, the TTJA said.

"Extraordinary times demand decisive action.

"We take the view that the pain threshold of the Estonian information space is now being exceeded by certain television broadcasters,'' TTJA head Kaur Kajak said in the authority's statement.

Latvia imposed bans on Russian-language broadcasters on Thursday, both Baltic countries are home to substantial Russian minorities.