Friday, May 3

Name day: Uvis, Gints

Public broadcasting of Latvia
In Riga +13 °C, ENE wind, 2m/s

"De facto"

Latvian Television

View author's articles: English Latvian Russian

Author's articles
Politicians' stance toward Istanbul Convention probed by LTV's De Facto
Politicians' stance toward Istanbul Convention probed by LTV's De Facto
Seven years ago Latvia signed the Istanbul Convention, but has still not ratified it. The case of the woman murdered in Jēkabpils in mid-April has led several non-governmental organizations to talk about it repeatedly, also claiming the responsibility of politicians for the tragedy. However, some parties represented in the Saeima do not intend to change their negative attitude toward it, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on May 7.
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvia's drug problem
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvia's drug problem
The experience of the pandemic has not only contributed to the use of intoxicating and addictive substances, but also hampered the possibility of detecting networks of suppliers of these substances. According to the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television aired May 7, the number of drug-related calls for medical help has increased significantly over the last 4 years, while crime related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has halved.
Concerns about election IT systems in Latvia: LTV's De Facto
Concerns about election IT systems in Latvia: LTV's De Facto
Politicians agreed months ago that the Central Election Commission (CVK) could no longer secure elections, so it needs reform. The problems swelled last November when the CVK's work was actually paralyzed by a criminal case regarding the procurement of the IT system development. There is currently no solution to the IT issues, so next European Parliament elections could be quite cumbersome for voters, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on April 30.
Espionage trial of former Saeima deputy continues
Espionage trial of former Saeima deputy continues
In the trial of former Saeima member Jānis Ādamsons, accused of espionage, continued this week, according to Latvian Television's program De Facto on April 30. The prosecution believes that Ādamsons provided information to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) over a long period.
Rail Baltica project faces money issues in Latvia: LTV's De Facto
Rail Baltica project faces money issues in Latvia: LTV's De Facto
The total costs of Rail Baltica's Latvian section have risen a lot. Instead of the two billion euros initially discussed, it could actually cost six or seven billion. The existing inflow of money could not even be enough for the construction works already ongoing, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on April 23.
LTV's De Facto examines alcohol advertising changes in Latvia
LTV's De Facto examines alcohol advertising changes in Latvia
Discussions about limiting alcohol advertising in Latvia have been ongoing for at least a decade. The current amendments, tabled last week in the government, took two years to prepare and are still not fully agreed upon, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on March 27.
LTV's De Facto: MEPs Ušakovs and Ameriks face graft accusations
LTV's De Facto: MEPs Ušakovs and Ameriks face graft accusations
Member of the European Parliament and former long-standing Rīga mayor Nils Ušakovs (Harmony) announced in mid-March that he has the status of a suspect in a new case. Latvian Television's De Facto has found that Ušakovs and his colleague in Brussels, Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Rīga, and former deputy mayor of Rīga under Ušakovs) are both accused of requesting bribes, the broadcast reported on March 19.
Confusion, dissatisfaction among politicians about lobbying law
Confusion, dissatisfaction among politicians about lobbying law
Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show reported March 12 on the requirements of Latvia's recently-introduced 'lobbying law'. It is supposed to improve transparency in political lobbying of parliament, but according to De Facto, there is widespread ignorance and confusion about the law, even among those who are supposed to monitor it.
LTV's De Facto probes dairy industry crisis in Latvia
LTV's De Facto probes dairy industry crisis in Latvia
Latvian dairy farmers have been experiencing a crisis for several weeks. This week, the Ministry of Agriculture will present a plan to support the sector to the government, while the industry is planning protests, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on February 26.
LTV's De Facto: Plans to double army size might have been too ambitious
LTV's De Facto: Plans to double army size might have been too ambitious
Russia's invasion of Ukraine led Latvia to reassess its military capabilities. The government in September backed a Defense Ministry plan to double personnel in the structures of the National Armed Forces in five years. Whether it will be done, it is not known at this time, and the reintroduction of mandatory defense service (VAD) will not recruit as many as initially planned, the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported on February 19.
'Miracle cure' advertised at some medical establishments: LTV's De Facto
'Miracle cure' advertised at some medical establishments: LTV's De Facto
During the spread of various viruses, in several medical institutions, there was an advertisement for almost a miracle cure on the screens for two months, the “Xyntrus”, which protects against “all viruses”, reported Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto on February 5. The broadcast asked: How has it ended up at the medical establishments?
LTV's De Facto: Rimšēvičs suspected of faking Covid certificate
LTV's De Facto: Rimšēvičs suspected of faking Covid certificate
The former governor  of the Latvian Central Bank, Ilmārs Rimšēvičs, who is already on trial in two criminal cases, has allegedly faced a third indictment related to the illegal acquisition and use of a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, Latvian Television's investigative broadcast De Facto reported on February 5.
Latvia was not prepared to send new ambassador to Russia: LTV's De Facto
Latvia was not prepared to send new ambassador to Russia: LTV's De Facto
One of the reasons why Latvia announced the withdrawal of Ambassador Māris Riekstiņš from Moscow last week was the end of his term of office a few months later. Latvia was not ready to send a new ambassador to Russia while Russia's war in Ukraine continues, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on January 29.
EUR 200 million left over from state aid for heating: LTV's De Facto
EUR 200 million left over from state aid for heating: LTV's De Facto
The government decided this week to reallocate half a billion euros for energy support measures this year. Data on aid amounts last year show that so much money is not likely to be paid out. The De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported January 22 that several aid programs save money, for example, where the purchase of wood must be proven by checks.
LTV's De Facto: sanctioned millionaire Aven's helicopter auctioned off
LTV's De Facto: sanctioned millionaire Aven's helicopter auctioned off
An auction was held last autumn, the results of which are not public, but the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television has found that a helicopter belonging to Russian businessmen with Latvian citizenship Pyotr Aven and Yuri Shefler was sold off asa result of taxes owed. The current location of the aircraft cannot be determined, De Facto reported on January 22.
LTV's De Facto probes gas prices in relation to heating tariffs
LTV's De Facto probes gas prices in relation to heating tariffs
While the price of natural gas falls in Europe, heating bills for December arrive well higher than usual. Average temperatures in the last month of the year were lower than normal at that time, and thus bills increased by 50 per cent and more, according to the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television aired on January 15.
LTV's De Facto: MPs hesitant to stall top state officials' salary rise
LTV's De Facto: MPs hesitant to stall top state officials' salary rise
In October, the story of the expected rapid increase in wages for political positions drew a lot of attention. A public initiative was submitted about the freezing of top state officials' salaries. The initiative has been transferred to the government, which should respond more than four months later, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on January 8.
LTV's De Facto asks what ministers think of new government declaration
LTV's De Facto asks what ministers think of new government declaration
Last Wednesday, the second government of Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) was finally approved after two and a half months of negotiations. The main document listing the work to be done is the government declaration, with 328 points and numerous deviations. The 'De Facto' broadcast of Latvian Television asked the new ministers about the contents and thoughts on the document December 18.
LTV's De Facto probes failed cancer diagnostics center project
LTV's De Facto probes failed cancer diagnostics center project
Millions of euros from European funds and from Rīga Stradiņš University were invested in a "Nuclear Medical Center" which should have become a state-of-the-art producer of cancer diagnostic preparations. However, the money ran out way quicker than expected, and a criminal case for the deliberate cause of insolvency has been initiated, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on December 11.
LTV's De Facto: Theft from army warehouses went unnoticed for decade
LTV's De Facto: Theft from army warehouses went unnoticed for decade
The prosecutor's office has completed an investigation and in November handed the court a case for large-scale theft of various goods from army warehouses for nearly ten years. Latvian Television broadcast De Facto reported December 4 that there were also night-vision goggles among the missing items, which the Latvian army had been given by the U.S. What happened was major chaos in the storage and listing of army goods. 
LTV's De Facto: Army equipment checks insufficient
LTV's De Facto: Army equipment checks insufficient
A case of poor-quality, hazardous uniform fabric delivered to the Latvian National Armed Forces in 2016 is one of the most vivid examples of what can happen when there are no proper checks carried out on the delivered army equipment. Despite unfortunate occurrences, complete testing of goods delivered to the army is still not ongoing, the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported on November 27.
Russian internet giant may have violated Latvia's drone rules
Russian internet giant may have violated Latvia's drone rules
Virtual 3D tours of popular attractions and locations around the world are not unusual in the internet age. However, Russian internet giant Yandex has raised them to a new level, reports LTV's De Facto investigative show. 
LTV's De Facto: MP Rajevs has faced fraud charges from Defense Ministry
LTV's De Facto: MP Rajevs has faced fraud charges from Defense Ministry
Saeima deputy, United List politician and reserve colonel Igors Rajevs has been accused of defrauding money from the Ministry of Defense, but three years ago the criminal proceedings were terminated due to him repaying the sum, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on November 20.
Gambling companies find loopholes to save business: LTV's De Facto
Gambling companies find loopholes to save business: LTV's De Facto
In Rīga, a transitional period comes to a close, during which gambling companies had to close their halls at the historic center of Rīga. For a large part the authorization has already expired, some may still work for a few months. However, in four and five-star hotels, gambling may still be organized, and businesses are attempting to convert the gambling hall into a hotel, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on November 13.
Development of Skanste neighborhood at standstill for over a year
Development of Skanste neighborhood at standstill for over a year
In the meadows of the Skanste neighborhood of Rīga, in place of former community gardens, some playgrounds and a skateboarding park have been erected. All this could sink into mud between half-closed streets and sewer wells. This project was accepted by the previous city council and should have been completed some time ago, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on November 6.