The Tickle File is ftm's daily column of media news, complimenting the feature articles on major media issues. Tickle File items point out media happenings, from the oh-so serious to the not-so serious, that should not escape notice...in a shorter, more informal format.

We are able to offer this new service thanks to the great response to our Media Sleuth project in which you, our readers, are contributing media information happening in your countries that have escaped the notice of the international media, or you are providing us information on covered events that others simply didn't know about. We invite more of you to become Media Sleuths. For more information click here.

Week of August 15, 2022

Sneaky reporters foiled at border, sent away
"not allowed"

For reporters being sneaky is an accepted occupational skill. How better to capture the words and deeds of crooks and politicians than the application of a bit of subterfuge. Success in these undertakings, however, do require planning and discipline. There can be consequences.

Estonian Border Police (PPA) busted two employees of Russian daily Izvestia for entering the country on tourist visas and proceeding to conduct professional activities, in this case “making propaganda,” said PPA’s Urmas Elmi, quoted by public broadcaster ERR News (August 15). Estonia strictly limits arrivals from the Russian Federation to land border checkpoints, no arrivals by air allowed. At the time of their arrival, tourist visas could only be obtained in Schengen area countries. That privilege ended for all travelers from the Russian Federation this weekend (August 18). (See more about propaganda here)

Izvestia reporter Ksenia Soldatova and camera operator Dmitri Timofeyev entered Estonia at the Narva border point with tourist visas issued in Italy and Finland. According to Mr. Elmi, they exited the train and “started to make propaganda” at a display of a Soviet-era battle tank. Of course, they were observed. The duo then boarded a train for Tallinn. Shortly thereafter, they were removed and interviewed. The next day they were shipped back to the Russian Federation with a three year EU-wide entry ban. "It is not allowed to work while traveling for tourism purposes, this is a violation of the visa regime,” said Mr. Elmi.

“They could not ignore the latest developments in Estonia,” said a statement from Izvestia, repeating the “tourist” cover story. “They decided to cover the story of visa restrictions for Russians and stripping the monument status from a Soviet T-34 tank.” Ms Soldatova complained that the Estonian border guards asked “very private questions” about her family members. The old Soviet tank was removed whereupon Russian cyber hackers unleashed their fury.

Previous weeks complete Tickle File