No ads on public media starting 2021, parliament says

Take note – story published 5 years ago

On June 20 the Saeima adopted amendments to the media law, stipulating that, should there be enough money, no ads are to appear on Latvian public media - LTV and Latvian Radio - starting 2021.

Nevertheless, this is to happen only if there's enough money in the budget to cover the ensuing €14 million funding gap.

The move was supported by 77 MPs, with none voting against or 'abstaining'.

The amendments also attempt to fight Russian propaganda with a provision that events must be reflected precisely and neutrally, so that the audience would not be manipulated. Earlier the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) said that while there are international laws limiting hate speech, there is little to stop misinformation.

Under the bill, expected to be promulgated by the president within days, NEPLP is also granted the ability to block TV channels barred from broadcasting in other EU/EEA countries for hate speech.

NEPLP would also be able to block websites spreading pirated content.

The LSM public news portals in Latvian, Russian and English are affiliated with Latvian Radio and Latvian Television. 

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