Latvia shuts down access to nine Russian propaganda-distributing websites

Latvian National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has shut down access to nine websites that distribute Russian propaganda, according to the publication in the Latvian Herald.
The websites in question include: “mk-pskov.ru”, life.ru”, “www.pnp.ru”, “news-front.su”, “russkie.org”, “ont.by”, “www.sb.by”, “council.gov.ru”, “x-true.info”. From now on users in Latvia that visit these websites will be redirected to “nelegalssaturs.lv” warning page.
This decision was made based on findings of competent state institutions and the council itself – the aforementioned websites are being used to support Russia’s aggressive propaganda. Latvian authorities concluded that these websites distribute distorted and false information about Russia’s war against Ukraine and Russia’s war crimes, justifying them. These websites are also believed to be spreading hateful information that discredits Latvia and NATO.

Generally these websites support the narrative that western countries and NATO are directly responsible for the situation in Ukraine,

and that Russia is trying to ensure peace in the world. Websites report significantly distorted information about developments in Latvia and the world. This information also discredits NATO’s capabilities to defend NATO member states, justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NEPLP stresses that distribution of such information, intentionally misleading society about the Russian Federation’s true goals in Ukraine, pitting society against Ukraine and its people while also intentionally distorting information about the use of Russian language in Latvia and Baltic States in general negatively affects the co-existence of various societal groups, including in Latvia, and creates risks for various negative provocations that create threats for Latvia’s national security and public order.
As for the risk of restricting the freedom of speech, NEPLP believes society has the right to receive true information. According to the council, it is not in the interests of society to receive information that puts at risk the country’s or society’s security, the country’s territorial integrity. It is also not in society’s interest to receive information that is hateful and intentionally misleading.
“Receiving such information in part of society can cause anxiety and fear about the existence of one’s own country and one’s own future, that of one’s family, as well as divide society. In addition, this information also contains disinformation, and such information can lead to the emergence and activation of organizations that support radical ideas, as well as their opponents, thus not excluding the possibility of domestic protests by different groups, and thus undoubtedly affecting public order and human security, which has a significant and unequivocal impact on national security in general,” NEPLP mentioned in its statement.
If websites that distribute information that puts at risk the country’s security, accessibility of such information in Latvia should be reduced or significantly limited. NEPLP predicts that the damage caused by its decision is significantly smaller.
NEPLP adds that the instruments listed in the Electronic Communications Law to restrict the right to freedom of expression – the right to adopt a decision restricting access to such websites available in the territory of Latvia, which distribute content that threatens or may threaten national security or public order and security – is considered to be an appropriate means of achieving the legitimate objective, as mentioned in the council’s statement.
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