Today, President of Latvia Egils Levits welcomed members of the Public Digital Media Council and National Electronic Mass Media Council to the Riga Castle for a discussion about security of Latvia’s information space. President praised NEMMC’s efforts in protecting domestic information space and underlined their importance for Europe. ‘Let us not forget that Latvia is currently the most efficient European country in terms of getting rid of Russian propaganda and misinformation white noise targeting our information space, and other European Union countries are following our footsteps with practical and legal approaches that we have used,’ Egils Levits said.
As reported by media, Latvia has temporarily stopped broadcasting nine Russian channels (RTR Rossiya, Rossiya 24, Tv Centr International, Belarus 24, PBK Estonia, PBK Lithuania, RBK, RTVi, Mir24), applying bans of varying length. Several other channels have been put on close monitoring schedule. Altogether Latvia has stopped broadcasting 49 Russia-themed programmes and more than 60 programmes in total in past 2 years and three months. On-going negotiations with Youtube and Irish media regulator are continuing at intense pace. Youtube has blocked broadcasting of Rossiya 24 throughout territory of Latvia and other channels are likely to be block in foreseeable future. Latvia has also drafted amendments to the law, which will impose administrative penalties for illegal satellite and subscription TV services to end users.
PDMC and NEMMC members reminded President Levits that additional measures are needed to ensure efficient monitoring and protection of Latvia’s information space. This will also require additional funding and staff. President Levits expressed his support for additional funding for this purpose.
President Levits also thanked Latvian media for their active reaction to Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is being covered very thoroughly, especially by public media who have sent their reporters to Ukraine and created a series of specials and other reports about the invasion. Results are good, viewers appreciate what media do and that is reflected in public media ratings, as well as growing demand among users, Egils Levits said.
