EUR 50,000 fine on Tvnet for opinion editorial can negatively affect media freedom in Latvia

2017-01-27
BNS/TBT Staff

STRASSBOURG - Commenting on the decision of the Riga Regional Court to slap a fine worth EUR 50,000 on Tvnet portal for defamation of officials of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB), Nils Muiznieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, said that such a decision may have a negative impact on media freedom in Latvia.

"The decision of the Riga Higher Court to impose a EUR 50,000 fine on the portal Tvnet.lv for damaging the reputation of the National Opera with an opinion article can have a deleterious impact on media freedom and public speech in Latvia," Muiznieks said in a statement to the press.

Though the appeal decision has reduced the fine levied on the media outlet, it remains disproportionally high in the Latvian context, he said.

"Striking the adequate balance between the right to protect reputation and that of ensuring freedom of expression is not an easy task, but it is essential to avoid undermining free speech. To this effect, defamation and libel must be dealt with through proportionate civil sanctions only, in line with the European Court’s case-law," the commissioner said.

As reported, the Riga Regional Court ordered Tvnet to issue an apology and pay EUR 50,000 in damages to the LNOB for an op-ed published on the Tvnet.lv portal in July 2014 that criticized the LNOB chairman of the board Zigmars Liepins and board members Inese Eglite and Daina Markova for renting opera premises for a birthday party of Russian composer Igor Krutoy. The LNOB had originally demanded Tvnet pay EUR 129,873 compensation for defamation of character.

The first instance court ruled that the the news portal Tvnet should pay LNOB EUR 129,873 over defamation.

The regional court's ruling may be appealed to the Supreme Court within 30 days. The detailed decision will be published on February 7.

The article, titled "How the Latvian National Opera Became a Public House in Putin's Court", criticizing the board of the opera about renting its space for a private party held by the Russian artist Igor Krutoy, was published in August 2014.

Also, the Association of Latvian Journalists believes that the Riga Regional Court ruling is disproportionate, pointing out that this may be a show trial intended to keep the media from criticizing various state officials.