Commentary
Public service media: independent or not?
Public service media: independent or not?
What do Latvia's residents think of media independence? How important is it? What does it mean in a media audience view? A recent study allowed media consumers to express themselves.
Of banks, supermarkets and the market economy
Of banks, supermarkets and the market economy
Having lived in Latvia for almost 30 years and having witnessed the country’s remarkable transformation towards a market economy that is highly integrated within the European Union, I am saddened by the current political debate regarding the banking system, in particular the idea of capping the interest rates that banks can charge. Allow me to argue – and warn – against this suggestion.
Media, journalists, and migrants
Media, journalists, and migrants
The current events in the border area of Latvia–Belarus are a reason to create daily news centered on migrants, border crossing, fence, breaking through it, deterring migrants, or allowing migrants into Latvia. The process is justifiably described in the context of the hybrid war by the Belarusian regime. How to write about all this in the media professionally and ethically?
It's surprising what you find in a Baltic bog
It's surprising what you find in a Baltic bog
It's rare that I feel annoyed these days about missing a press opportunity, but I must admit that it happened last week when I belatedly discovered that the three Baltic Prime Ministers had met in an Estonian bog. If ever there was a press opp designed for me, this was it.
Media freedom and media restriction
Media freedom and media restriction
Oh, so that's your "editorial independence and media freedom"! Why is this sentence, opinion, or word not flagged for violation? Why don't you ban it? Start a discussion about criminalizing journalists!
Diary of a Belarusian journalist in Latvia, Part 2
Diary of a Belarusian journalist in Latvia, Part 2
Once, when I – a Belarusian refugee in Latvia – was on a train from Rīga to Tukums, which has become my home in the two years I have lived in Latvia, an elderly woman approached me in the carriage. Dressed simply, with a flowery scarf on her head, she reminded me of my paternal grandmother, who was born in the Voronezh region. She came over and tried to ask me something… in English.
Diary of a Belarusian journalist in Latvia
Diary of a Belarusian journalist in Latvia
My life started from a blank page about two years ago in Tukums, which has become so dear to my heart that I now call it "my town". A wonderful, large, friendly Latvian family accepted me as one of their own.
My heartbeats on the edge of safety
My heartbeats on the edge of safety
A few days before the anniversary of the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, I received an offer to create a performance for an exhibition called “How I've Been Feeling Lately".
What affects labor compensation in Latvia?
What affects labor compensation in Latvia?
The Latvian central bank (Latvijas banka, LB) has published a new commentary on the current state of labor market trends in the country, written by  LB economists Andrejs Migunovs, Ieva Opmane and Andrejs Bessonovs.
Inflation slowly losing steam
Inflation slowly losing steam
Although inflation receded in March compared to the record highs witnessed in the previous months, it is still elevated, and both headline inflation and price hikes in Latvia, excluding the variable energy and food prices, are among the highest in the euro area. In March 2023, the year-on-year price rise in Latvia was 17.3%, while the month-on-month price rise was 0.7%.
'Latvia Weekly' podcast reviews the local news
'Latvia Weekly' podcast reviews the local news
Here's a reminder that anyone on the look-out for an English-language podcast to add to their playlist might like to check out 'Latvia Weekly' which has a new episode available.
Lending in Latvia. Still the weak link?
Lending in Latvia. Still the weak link?
Bank loans represent one of the investment sources ensuring economic development. It is difficult to imagine a situation where the economy can see a dynamic long-term development without lending; therefore, access to loans, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is of critical importance, writes Latvian central bank economist Andrejs Kurbatskis for Macroeconomics.lv
Who will pay for price hikes?
Who will pay for price hikes?
"Hello, could I have this bun, please?" a student only half awake addresses the saleswoman, handing her a euro for his daily breakfast.
My Refugee Playlist
My Refugee Playlist
What music do refugees listen to? Of all the questions I could’ve asked myself while preparing to drive to Ukraine and bring a vanload of them back, that was the one that occurred to me.
May brought a heavy electricity bill and an emptier food basket
May brought a heavy electricity bill and an emptier food basket
There is a saying that we appreciate something only when it has passed and ended. Maybe the electricity bill for May will help us realise that the government support provided during the previous months had reduced these bills significantly. 
Latvia is not a way of avoiding saying 'Russia'
Latvia is not a way of avoiding saying 'Russia'
A country the size of Latvia isn’t often OVER-represented, but seeing their country’s name one time too many is exactly what raised quite a few of the Rīga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) delegates’ eyebrows when they opened [influential film industry publication] Screen International at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

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