Media Council starts two infringement cases against TV channel PBK

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The National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has started two administrative cases in the last month regarding the non-compliance of the TV channel PBK with the basic conditions of broadcasting authorization, Latvian Television reported on July 3.

Three infringements may lead to the cancellation of a broadcasting authorization.

During the emergency, PBK was allowed to use the content produced by channel LTV7 to inform citizens about the threat of the pandemic. At the end of the emergency, NEPLP revoked this authorization.

Therefore, the channel, which had stopped its news service before the COVID-19 crisis, no longer met the basic conditions for broadcasting authorization.

The basic conditions for the broadcasting authorization granted to PBK include at least 5% of the content to be reserved for local events, while re-transmission is not allowed. Both of these conditions have been violated by  PBK.

“NEPLP monitors all electronic media in Latvia, and two administrative cases have been started against this channel for failing to comply with the basic conditions of broadcasting authorization. These cases are currently being examined. We do not yet know what the outcome of these cases will be, and we are still waiting for the PBK's explanations,” NEPLP Chairman Ivars Abolins informed.

Both administrative cases have been initiated for the unauthorized transmission of content produced by other electronic media. In one case, the PBK transmitted the Russian “First Channel” and the other, continued to broadcast the content generated by the LTV after the end of the emergency.

NEPLP continues to monitor the situation. If a third infringement is recorded within a year, it can already serve as a reason for cancelling the broadcasting authorization.

The broadcasting authorization currently in force allows PBK to be broadcast in Latvia until 2025.

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