NEPLP head urges MPs to consider terminating operation of Russian-language radio stations in Latvia

RIGA - The National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) is calling on Saeima deputies to consider terminating operation of Russian-language radio stations in Latvia.

In a tweet, Abolins emphasizes that Latvia should not finance broadcasting of Russian-language radio stations in the country. In his opinion, the state is essentially funding such radio stations because all Russian-language radio stations use frequencies allocated free of charge, which are state property and the most valuable part of the business.

According to Abolins, more than a month has passed since the NEPLP submitted a proposal to Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee on phasing out Russian-language radio stations over a period of eight years. The committee's head Leila Rasima (Progressives) has not included the issue on the committee's agenda, Abolins writes.

He also claims that the Culture Ministry, headed by Agnese Lace (Progressives) has never supported this approach and has shown no interest in the matter.

Abolins calls on the other Saeima groups - New Unity, Union of Greens and Farmers, National Alliance, United List, Latvia First and Stability, as well as independent MPs - to "approach this issue in the interests of the state" and support his proposal to halt broadcasting by Russian-language radio stations in Latvia.

"Latvia has moved to state-funded education only in Latvian, and there is no argument for spending valuable state resources on maintaining information space in Russian within the commercial radio environment," said Abolins.

As reported, the broadcasting license of the Russian-language radio channel Latvian Radio 4 (LR4) was annulled as of January 1.