Proposed Estonian newspaper law criticized

TALLIN, Estonia, March 31 (UPI) -- A proposed law requiring journalists in Estonia to reveal their sources has come under criticism from the World Association of Newspapers.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves was sent a letter of protest from the association and various European journalism federations this week, The Baltic Times reported Wednesday.

"We are seriously concerned that this law poses a serious threat to freedom of the press," the letter said. "Furthermore, the draft law is in clear conflict with Estonia's treaty obligations, international standards of professional practice and codes of journalism ethics, including The Code of Ethics of the Estonian Press," the letter said.

If passed, the law would allow judges to jail writers who wouldn't reveal their sources, the report said.

As a show of protest, the country's major newspapers published only their names but no news on their front pages March 18.

There was no immediate response by Hendrik about the letter, the report said.