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The Latvian authorities keep looking for ways to banish the Russian mass media and to strengthen media environment of the Republic. Currently, the Parliament is to discuss amendments to the law on online media sources, IA Sputnik informs.
The bill supposes a principle of neutrality and precision. It implies that news, analytical programs and documentaries should be presented without misinforming the audience. The authors of the document believe that this is a certain way to decrease fake information on TV.
Besides, the National Media Council is to broaden its functions to be able to block some internet resources spreading illegal TV content. The Council will be able to prohibit broadcasting on the Latvian territory of mass media blocked in other European countries due to stirring the hatred. This will be useful in case the neighboring Lithuania bans RTR-Planet again or any other unwanted channel.
Note that the Latvian Parliament approved of the amendments in the first reading, supposing that the larger part of TV content should be broadcast on the languages of the European Union. Only 10 percent of information can be broadcast on other languages including Russian. Deputies believe that this law is to protect the republic residents from the Kremlin propaganda.
It is worth mentioning that 40 percent of the country’s population speak Russian as their native language. Besides, numerous polls and rankings prove that the Russian TV channels are watched in Latvia more often that the rest of the channels.
Russkiy Mir
