Editorial: breaking silence is golden

Photo: Peeter Langovits / Postimees

Correct for culture minister Rein Lang to step down, in this turmoil. Not that he was plainly in the wrong in deeds and decisions: rather, they way the nation was notified was a flop of sorts.

As a result, the minister lost backing by artistic associations and creative community – without which it is hard, not to say impossible, to do changes or reforms in the field. Difficult indeed to proceed, in an atmosphere like this.

The happenings around culture paper Sirp could have reached a solution altogether different, had the decisions and their background peen put fourth plain and clear. To this very Tuesday, scarcely a fact was known how Sirp’s acting editor-in-chief really came to land on his seat.   

Sadly, the sound of silence will create a vacuum to be filled with information at hand. Social media, as opposed to newspapers not under obligation to verify facts, spawned snowballing stories of conspiracy. And, alas!, blaming the media isn’t enough to get the picture somewhat clearer.

The limited information that did reach the mainstream media was full of cavities and contradictions. Even with explicit lies avoided, a dishonest impression was therefore given. To talk as little as possible is not always the best strategy. True, in an opinion article in the Thursday Postimees, Mr Lang poured it all out. Alas, it was too late. The background of distrust had already been created, the damage had been done.

Probably, quite a role was played by the public memory of Reform Party financing scandal: in people’s minds, the picture of politicians publicly beating about bushes had been painted. That, for the mistakes made back then, Rein Lang now had to pay, is surely to be regretted. Stepping into his office, a couple of years back, Mr Lang did enjoy much stronger support by the creative community than his predecessors. Sadly, nothing much now remains of the credit of trust then offered.

Clearly, the situation means no boost to Reform Party reputation. By now, its popularity has fallen to parliamentary bottom; had there been no solution, the public uproar would possibly have been deafening.

What, then, would be the lessons? The right to decide does not equal right to remain silent. In the uncertainty created by restructurings at Sirp, uninformed minds would be birthing monsters. The only way to avoid such scenarios was providing plain and clear information on happenings and plans. Transparency of governance – that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?