Court rules Latvian Radio journalist won't be asked to reveal source

Take note – story published 6 years ago

On June 16 a Latvian court ruled that Latvian Radio journalist Vita Anstrate won't be asked to name her source for a story that revealed the candidates that were being considered for the board of Latvian Television in a closed contest. 

The decision was announced by Riga's Vidzeme District judge Biruta Horuna.

Last March Latvian Radio reported that the country's media watchdog - the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) - might approve Ivars Āboliņš and entertainment producer Kristaps Valdnieks.

Āboliņš was reported by LTV to have possible ties to the National Alliance party, while Valdnieks had a potential conflict of interest as his partner was working in the rival LNT commercial TV channel.

Āboliņš, now a board member at the media watchdog, turned to the authorities and the council, which in turn went to the police. 

The police started a case against Anstrate asking to reveal her source. But now it's clear she doesn't have to.

As well as acting as broadcast watchdog with the power to take action if illegal or inappropriate material is broadcast, NEPLP is also in overall charge of the funding of public broadcasting in Latvia, including the LSM news portals in Latvian, Russian and English.

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