Sirp seeks new chief

Photo: Uwe Gnadenteich

Yesterday, Foundation Kultuurileht council decided upon competition for new editor-in-chief for Sirp. Even so, they see no guilt, in their CEO, related to the scandal which shook the newspaper: all five council members voted for Toomas Väljataga to stay.

«In a situation where the foundation is issuing 12 publications (in addition to the 11 culture publications, Foundation Kultuurileht also published Diplomaatia, a foreign policy monthly for International Centre for Defence Studies – edit) and appearing of Sirp needs to be guaranteed, it is not prudent to start changing the executive,» said culture ministry chancellor Paavo Nõgene. «Surely, the decisions taken by Mr Väljataga have had their impact; right now, however, it is priority that the publications appear [in print].»

The same claim was made, by the council, the last time as well – when the appearing of the next Sirp verily hang in the balance. Right now, there is an agreement with the Sirp desk, regarding the printing of the paper till the new editor-in-chief is found.

Applications by candidates are expected till the afternoon of December 13^th. These will have to contain a vision of the editorial staff, as well as the newspaper’s development for the upcoming five years. As compared to the failed competition, nothing has been altered in the requirements, except for mentioning higher education, preferably.

The new editor-in-chief will be known by mid-January, latest. In addition to Mr Väljataga and two council members, the selecting committee will include seven more people, three of whom will be set up by artistic associations, one by Kultuuri Koda (House of Culture), one by Academy of Sciences, one by Sirp desk, and one by the panel. 

While it was earlier promised by Mr Väljataga to publish visions of candidates, he was no longer so sure yesterday. «The tempo is quite fast and, actually, we’d have to ask permission from those presenting the visions... In the foundation, we have nothing against that,» said he.

Also, Mr Väljataga proposed to the four laid-off editors to return to their jobs, by contract for services. To this, in principle, have agreed Marek Strandberg, Veronika Valk and Doris Kareva, whose yes will depend on contract conditions. Tarmo Teder turned down the offer.

Mr Teder and Mr Strandberg were also of the opinion that, to take responsibility, resignations of Mr Kender and Mr Lang are not enough. «We could surely count up to fingers of one hand, those who might volunteer to leave,» thinks Mr Teder.

The lay-offs initiated by Mr Kender cost about €8,000, the one week labour by his team about €1,000.

«As we see, the state didn’t think it too much to waste nearly €10,000 to let some tricksters and a minister out of his mind to wreak havoc. Ergo, the state has no money problems,» thinks Mr Strandberg.

According to him, it would now be prudent to make a new wage offer to all editors at Sirp.

Indeed, Mr Väljataga did promise a raise. «I am convinced that next year, as the budget is confirmed, wages will rise not in Sirp only, but for other employees at Foundation Kultuurileht as well,» said he.