If public media cease generating content in Russian language, its target audience will not switch to content in Latvian language. Instead they will look for ways to access content in Russian language, said NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence Director Jānis Sārts in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
Looking at the proposals submitted by the National Alliance to the Law on Public Electronic Mass Media and Administration Thereof, which, among other things, suggest cessation of generation of content in Russian language by public media, Sārts stressed that everyday viewers and listeners will not switch to channels that provide content in Latvian language the moment public media cease generating content and providing information in Russian language.
They will look for information in Russian language. Additionally, Kremlin propaganda channels become available using various loops, explained Sārts, stressing that he believes such restrictions will not help achieve the intended goal in the long term – making sure all residents in Latvia consume objective information, including in Latvian language.
«People will simply migrate to Russian media created in other countries, and there will be no way for us to say for certain they are not generated without Russia’s involvement,»
said Sārts.
The expert does not doubt the use of Latvian language should be expanded. However, he also said it is important to look how to do it in the best possible way.
As previously reported, Latvijas Radio workers have sent an open letter to the government, requesting the planned merging of this media and LTV to be halted. They requested the same for the amendments to the Law on Public Electronic Mass Media and Administration Thereof.
Latvijas Radio workers doubt the amendments listed in the law will improve security of the public media sector and Latvia’s information space in any way. They will likely weaken the sector and increase the risk of political manipulation, representatives say.
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