Estonia
Estonia’s population has high levels of digital skills compared to other European countries. According to the European Commission’s Digital Decade Country Report 2024, 62.6% of the population possess at least basic digital skills, above the EU average of 55.6%. Estonians are also highly engaged with digital media: the 2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that 89% of people access news online, and 45% get news via social media. Estonia ranks among the top in Europe for digital public services, further reflecting a digitally mature society.
Media education has been part of the Estonian national curriculum since 2002 as a cross-curricular theme focused on critical thinking and information analysis. In 2024, Estonia introduced a mandatory upper secondary school course titled Media and Influencing, aimed at helping students understand and critically evaluate media content and disinformation. An additional optional course, Human in a Contemporary Information Environment, further addresses media influence, big data, social media algorithms, and propaganda (Cadmus, 2024).
Estonia ranks highly in international assessments of media literacy, ranking 4th in the Media Literacy Index 2022, indicating strong resilience to disinformation. National strategies – such as the Lifelong Learning Strategy and digital education initiatives like ProgeTiger – support the integration of MIL across formal education levels and promote lifelong learning. Additionally, Estonia’s TI-Hüpe (AI Leap) programme, launching in 2025, will provide AI tools to 20,000 students and 3,000 teachers. Building on the legacy of the Tiigrihüpe initiative, it aims to enhance personalized learning and AI literacy.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. For example, the 2022 ICDS report emphasizes the importance of addressing regional disparities, particularly in Russian-speaking and rural communities, and calls for improved coordination between state, educational, and civic actors.
Estonia
Estonia’s population has high levels of digital skills compared to other European countries. According to the European Commission’s Digital Decade Country Report 2024, 62.6% of the population possess at least basic digital skills, above the EU average of 55.6%. Estonians are also highly engaged with digital media: the 2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that 89% of people access news online, and 45% get news via social media. Estonia ranks among the top in Europe for digital public services, further reflecting a digitally mature society.
Media education has been part of the Estonian national curriculum since 2002 as a cross-curricular theme focused on critical thinking and information analysis. In 2024, Estonia introduced a mandatory upper secondary school course titled Media and Influencing, aimed at helping students understand and critically evaluate media content and disinformation. An additional optional course, Human in a Contemporary Information Environment, further addresses media influence, big data, social media algorithms, and propaganda (Cadmus, 2024).
Estonia ranks highly in international assessments of media literacy, ranking 4th in the Media Literacy Index 2022, indicating strong resilience to disinformation. National strategies – such as the Lifelong Learning Strategy and digital education initiatives like ProgeTiger – support the integration of MIL across formal education levels and promote lifelong learning. Additionally, Estonia’s TI-Hüpe (AI Leap) programme, launching in 2025, will provide AI tools to 20,000 students and 3,000 teachers. Building on the legacy of the Tiigrihüpe initiative, it aims to enhance personalized learning and AI literacy.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. For example, the 2022 ICDS report emphasizes the importance of addressing regional disparities, particularly in Russian-speaking and rural communities, and calls for improved coordination between state, educational, and civic actors.
EDMO hub membership
Estonia is a part of BECID (Baltic Engagement Centre for Combating Information Disorders) along with Latvia and Lithuania. BECID is coordinated by University of Tartu.
BECID brings together experts in fact-checking, media literacy, media practice, and academic research. Their key activities include performing regular fact-checks within private and public media outlets in Baltics, carrying out studies on the perception of disinformation amongst different media audiences and analyzing disinformation trends and executing media literacy campaigns to increase information resilience and improve media / digital literacy among different age groups.
Key contact:
Maia Klaassen – [email protected]
Who is responsible for media literacy at a national level?
In Estonia, the national responsibility for media literacy is primarily held by the Government Office (Riigikantselei), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research (Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium). This joint effort is outlined in the National Media Literacy Action Plan for 2024–2026, which aims to enhance citizens’ ability to critically navigate the modern information landscape, thereby strengthening democratic values and national security.
Official policies/frameworks
In recent years, Lithuania has undertaken significant institutional reforms to bolster its resilience against information threats and enhance media and information literacy (MIL) among its citizens. In 2023, the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) was established as a structural unit of the Government Chancellery in Lithuania. This Centre plays a crucial role in coordinating the activities of national authorities to prevent and counteract information threats, thereby enhancing the nation’s preparedness. NCMC manages and coordinates the state’s strategic communication in national security. In 2024, the NCMC consolidated and developed a unified model for monitoring and analysing information incidents, utilizing a standardized data format methodology and advanced technological solutions.
The Lithuanian government’s 2024 programme acknowledges the importance of strengthening media and information literacy; however, specific implementation strategies remain under development. Notably, the Lithuanian National Security Strategy, updated in 2021, identifies cyber and information attacks as significant threats and emphasizes the need for an integrated crisis and emergency management system. While the strategy primarily focuses on cybersecurity, it also recognizes the role of professional journalism and a robust media sector as integral components of societal resilience.
Estonia’s official policy framework for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is encapsulated in the National Media Literacy Action Plan for 2024–2026, developed by the Government Office (Riigikantselei) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research (Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium). This plan is a strategic response to the increasing challenges posed by disinformation, digital manipulation, and information overload in the digital age.
The action plan outlines five strategic objectives aimed at enhancing the media literacy of Estonian citizens:
- Integration of Media Literacy into the Education System: Embedding media literacy across all levels of education to equip individuals with critical thinking skills necessary for navigating the information landscape.
- Targeted Programs for Specific Demographics: Developing initiatives tailored for children, youth, non-Estonian-speaking communities, and the elderly to address diverse needs and challenges.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Conducting nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of media literacy and its role in fostering democratic values.
- Collaboration with Civil Society and Media Organizations: Partnering with various stakeholders to promote media literacy through workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects.
- Research and Development: Investing in research to assess media literacy levels and develop evidence-based strategies for improvement.
Additionally, the Youth Sector Development Plan 2021–2035 outlines the importance of integrating media literacy into youth work. This plan encourages youth organisations to incorporate media literacy into their activities, aiming to equip young people with the skills to critically analyse media content and engage responsibly in digital environments.
The status of media literacy in the national school curriculum
Since 2002, media education has been a cross-curricular theme in Estonian schools. Initially, this integration was broad and interdisciplinary, aiming to foster critical thinking and responsible media consumption across various subjects. However, national-level observations have indicated that this approach has faced challenges, including a lack of standardized methodology and insufficient teacher training, leading to inconsistent implementation and limited understanding of media literacy among educators.
In response to these challenges, significant strides have been made to enhance the structure and delivery of media literacy education. A notable advancement is the introduction of the mandatory “Media and Influencing” course for 11th grade students, which commenced in 2024. This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of media influence, critical analysis of information, and the skills to identify and counter disinformation. This initiative positions Estonia as the first Baltic country to offer such a course at the upper secondary level.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in the early education stages. Media literacy education for younger children remains limited, with only a small percentage of schools offering dedicated extracurricular activities in this area. Additionally, there is a notable gap in media literacy education in rural areas, where access to resources and trained educators may be more constrained.
The position of initiatives targeted at those not in formal education
The National Media Literacy Action Plan 2024–2026, developed by the Government Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research, outlines specific objectives for enhancing media literacy among non-formal education groups. These objectives include improving media literacy among youth, non-Estonian-speaking communities, and the elderly. These goals are supported by various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
The National Library of Estonia is a central actor in promoting media literacy outside formal education. It organises seminars, conferences, and workshops aimed at librarians, educators, and the general public. These events focus on enhancing digital and media literacy skills, fostering critical thinking, and promoting responsible media consumption.
Other media literacy stakeholders
Ministry of Education and Research (Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium): Oversees the integration of MIL into the national curriculum and supports related educational initiatives.
Education and Youth Board (Harno): Develops resources like the e-course “Development of learners’ digital competence” to support the implementation of Estonia’s learner’s digital competence model in schools.
National Library of Estonia: Organises media literacy events, provides educational resources, and collaborates with various partners to promote MIL.
University of Tartu: Conducts research and develops educational materials on MIL, contributing to the academic foundation of MIL initiatives.
Digimentorid: Collaboration between University of Tartu and telecommunications company Telia which organises media literacy events and develops educational materials on MIL.
Tallinn University – Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School: Offers training and resources for educators to enhance MIL in schools.
Estonian Debating Society: Promotes critical thinking and public speaking skills, contributing to the development of MIL.
Propastop: A fact-checking organisation that works to counter disinformation and promote media literacy.
Targalt Internetis: A collaborative project aimed at promoting safer and smarter internet use among children, parents, and educators in Estonia, offering training, awareness-raising activities, support services, and a reporting hotline to combat the spread of online child sexual abuse material.