Latvian National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has blocked 71 websites over concerns for national security, as confirmed by the council’s chairman Ivars Āboliņš.
He explained that the websites in question distributed content that directly threatens state security and represents incitement to national hatred.
«NEPLP sees no way for these websites to become accessible in Latvia in the current situation,» said Āboliņš, adding the council continues monitoring internet resources, which may result in more websites getting blocked.
He also said it was possible to make this decision thanks to amendments passed by the Saeima to the Electronic Communications Law last week.
As previously reported, on 10 March the Saeima passed amendments to the Electronic Communications Law. These amendments provided NEPLP with the right to close websites that spread disinformation and Kremlin propaganda.
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Previously Āboliņš mentioned during a meeting of the Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee that NEPLP together with the State Security Service and Ministry of Culture have developed this new regulation, which allows for blocking websites that spread disinformation and Kremlin propaganda if risks to Latvia’s national security are uncovered.
He stressed that NEPLP will block websites only if a request is received from a state institution.
«The legislative draft will help clear Latvia’s information space from information that threatens the country’s national security,» explained Āboliņš.
Recently NEPLP has shut down broadcasts of a number of Russian and Belarusian television channels in Latvia.
Latvian media regulator blocks 71 websites over risks for national security
