We support Russian exiled journalists, but they should obey our laws - prime minister

  • 2022-12-07
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Latvia support Russian exiled journalists who are not loyal to Russia's ruling power, but while working in Latvia, everyone must obey the laws, said Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) in an interview with commercial TV3 television today.

Asked to comment on the decision of the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) to revoke Latvia's broadcasting license to Russian independent TV channel TV Rain (Dozhd), the prime minister said that has had not had a chance to get acquainted with the report of the State Security Service on which NEPLP's decision has been based.

Karins believe that this is why there is media watchdog in Latvia who is overseeing the sector so that the media operating in the country are following the legislation and rules. "Our country is governed by the rule of law. The medium also has the rights to turn to court," he said.

At the same time, he underscored that Latvia will continue to support exiled journalists, but "of course, journalists and media should obey the laws in our country".

He said that the Latvian residents should continue supporting Ukraine in every way and do everything possible so that it wins the war against the aggressor country, Russia.

As reported, NEPLP on Tuesday decided to revoke the Latvian broadcasting license issued to TV Rain.

NEPLP chairman Ivars Abolins told LETA that the decision to revoke the license has been made in relation to threat to the national security and public order.

The decision has been based on a number of violations committed in the recent period - failure to ensure Latvian language translation, including Crimea in the map of Russia, calling the Russian armed forces "our army", and voicing possible support to the Russian army. NEPLP also assessed the State Security Service report on the channel, but Abolins did not reveal information included in the report.