A quick test: Has Estonia’s reputation suffered?

There has been a lot of talk over the last month about reputational damage for Estonia in the world press. This topic has been discussed for example by; Õhtuleht’s editorial, Maris Hellrand in Eesti Päevaleht, Marcus Kolga in Postimees, Äripäeva reporters and Erik Moora in Eesti Ekspress etc.

Do these opinions have a basis? Propastop offers readers the opportunity to evaluate it themselves by giving points using a simple scale on the more critical articles on Estonia appearing in the most influential Western publications. We have brought out the more colourful quotes, we recommend reading the entire articles to get a thorough assessment.

“Estonia joins the far right club“
Politico, April, 30
Recently appointed minister Mart Järvik stated in a now deleted Facebook posting that some of the country’s top politicians are „ secret Jews“ and that „the time of mommy’s is over, daddy’s home.“ One political party leader, 41 year old Martin Helme called for the creation of a „white Estonia“ with the slogan „kui on must näita ust“ (if it’s black, show it the door“). Similar to US President Trump or Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán, political party representatives are attacking journalists and constantly blaming them of „bias“.

0 – did not cause any reputational damage; 1- caused some damage to the reputation; 2 – caused significant reputational damage.

 „The gesture given by Estonian ministers is creating fear of advocasy of white race sumpremecy“
New York Times May 1.

„In this context, the gesture was interpreted as showing support for the doctrine of white supremacy, and it shocked many commentators. . /… / The former Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, expressed his concern on Twitter: „ I am sincerely concerned when I see this type of behaviour from two new members of the Estonian government.“

0 – did not cause any reputational damage; 1- caused some damage to the reputation; 2 – caused significant reputational damage.

„Populists against journalists“
German TV channel ARD Daily news broadcast Tagesschau, May 3.

„This person in power wants a zero quota for refugees, thinks that Estonia needs to be protected from „Islamic Invasions“ and „war zones like in Sweden, Germany and France“ as well as saying last year: If you knock on a Negro’s head, it is like hollow wood.“ The right wing EKRE, a nationalist, racist, homophobic and Eurosceptic political party is now a part of the government. Its chairperson is not secretive of where he wants to place Estonia in the European Union: We want to follow the course of Hungary and Poland. „ Mart Helme’s son Martin, who became the Minister of Finance sees that Estonia is threatened by „ the changing of nationalities“ and promises that the country will remain a „white nation“.

0 – did not cause any reputational damage; 1- caused some damage to the reputation; 2 – caused significant reputational damage.

 „An Estonian minister calls the President „ an emotionally charged up woman“
The news agency Associated Press, May 3. The news appeared in tens of media channels, ie. The Washington Post.

„Estonia’s new Minister of Internal Affairs called the nation’s first female President „ an emotionally charged up woman“ because the head of State marched out during the swearing in of a new minister who had been charged with domestic violence. Mart Helme made a sexist remark at the press conference, where he also accused the Estonian press publications of using double standards when reporting the domestic violence case of the now already resigned right wing political minister.“

0 – did not cause any reputational damage; 1- caused some damage to the reputation; 2 – caused significant reputational damage.

 „ Racism, sexism, Nazi-economy: Estonian right wing in power“
The Guardian May 21.

„One of the political parties has mainly refrained from irritating the Russian-speaking minority in Estonia, instead using historical sensitivity of migration from the Soviet era and transforming it into a new wave of imaginary Islam-migration. Nonetheless, (Ruuben) Kaalep said that, according to his convictions, Russian-speaking people in Estonia can never be considered Estonians, even if they learn Estonian and identify themselves as Estonian citizens.“

0 – did not cause any reputational damage; 1- caused some damage to the reputation; 2 – caused significant reputational damage.

Test results:

0-3 points: You do not consider the damage to our reputation significant.

4-7 points: You consider the reputational damage as significant.

8-10 points: You consider the reputational damage to be important and dangerous.

How many points did you get? Share your results on Propastop’s Facebook page.

Pictures: screenshots of articles. Opening page photo: Pixaby