The National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has decided to annul the broadcasting licence of Latvia-based Russian independent TV Rain channel.
NEPLP chairman Ivars Āboliņš reports the decision to annul the TV channel’s licence was made due to threats to national security and public order this channel poses to Latvia.
The decision was made after reviewing the violations TV Rain committed in recent time: no subtitles in state language, showing Crimea as part of Russia’s territory on the map, referring to the Russian army as «our army», as well as possible calls for support of the Russian army. Information received from the State Security Service was also reviewed. Āboliņš did not mention what this information was about.
«After looking at the set of violations, NEPLP is confident the management of TV Rain does not understand the severity of the violations they have committed. This is why they cannot be allowed to continue operating in Latvia,» said the head of NEPLP.
The decision will come into force on the night to Thursday, 8 December. This is when TV Rain is to cease broadcasts within Latvia’s territory.
Considering that TV Rain broadcasts shows on TV and Youtube, NEPLP was also asked to impose a geo-block for TV Rain on this platform so that their content is not available to residents in Latvia. «They can freely broadcast content in Russia’s internet space. This is cause for concerns,» added Āboliņš.
«This decision indicates that Latvia is a democratic country open to the media, because Latvia has welcomed a large number of Russia-related media, allowing them to operate freely in our country. Only TV Rain, which has violated the law, was punished,» said Āboliņš.
NEPLP’s decision is subject to appeal.
TV Rain did previously appeal NEPLP’s penalty for not providing subtitles in state language.
On the 6th of December NEPLP gathered for a meeting to discuss the situation with TV Rain.
NEPLP previously initiated an administrative violation case against TV Rain for calls to assist the Russian army.
The case was initiated after a call for information on the service of mobilised Russian army soldiers on the front during the broadcast of Здесь и сейчас [Here and now] programme on the 1st of December. The host of the programme said he hopes the channel will be able to help Russian troops with «equipment and basic necessities on the front».
Previously Āboliņš said this is a topic of Latvia’s national security, adding that it will be resolved in accordance with the law.
This makes the third major violation committed by TV Rain in recent months. After the third major violation NEPLP has the right to annul the licence of the perpetrating broadcaster.
On Friday, the 2nd of December, journalist Yekaterina Kotrikadze mentioned during the aforementioned programme that TV Rain decided to terminate the contract with Aleksei Korostelev, who was the host and the one who mentioned ways to help the Russian army.
NEPLP fined TV Rain EUR 10 000 for colouring Crimea as part of Russia on the map and referring to the Russian army as «our army». This was the second major violation committed by TV Rain in recent months.
More on this topic: Latvian media supervisory council fines Russian opposition channel TV Rain