The National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has shut down access to several more internet portals believed to be “Kremlin propaganda portals”, according to the entry in the Latvian Herald.
From now on, residents in Latvia will not be able to access the following Russian websites: “www.vm.ru”, “www.gorod55.ru”, “www.cheltoday.ru”, “www.tvspb.ru”, “www.moika78.ru”, “www.murman.tv”, “www.kprf.ru”, “www.tvkrasnodar.ru” and “www.dan-news.ru”.
According to the assessment from NEPLP the content available on those websites is contrary to the security and national security interests of the Latvian information space – the information published corresponds to the messages of Russia’s aggressive war propaganda, supports and justifies Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the addition of parts of Ukraine to Russia.
Similarly, NEPLP claims the information published on these portals
may create a misconception about Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as contribute to the justification of war crimes committed by Russia in Latvian society.
It is concluded by NEPLP that the portals contain propaganda information created and disseminated by Russia about events in Russia and the world that attempts to reflect events in Ukraine, news about the “special military operation” in Ukraine in accordance with Russian propaganda. Those portals also publish information that is directed against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Latvia.
Such information in the Latvian information space may create a misconception about events in the world, have a negative impact on the coexistence of different groups of society and pose a threat to Latvia’s national security, according to the decision of the NEPLP.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Latvia has blocked access to a very large number of Kremlin propaganda media – both those that are more widely recognized and local Russian portals that spread Kremlin propaganda and disinformation.