“The position of power will always be more often represented because they are all in positions of power. And their opinions are always the ones that are in demand,” said public media ombudsman Edmunds Apsalons in an interview to Artuss Kaimiņš’s programme Suņu būda V2.0.
The programme discusses a number of “hot topics”, including the possible impact of certain political forces on the Public Electronic Media Council (SEPL) and the use of the Russian language on public television.
Responding to the concerns of Artuss Kaimiņš about whether it is permissible for the chairman of SEPL to be in contact with only one political force, Edmunds Apsalons responded: “I would say this – either with everyone or with no one”.
In turn, when asked why should Russian language appear in public media in Latvia, the public media ombudsman said his opinion on this issue is insignificant and it is much more important to understand what is the opinion of the public on this issue.
“The simplest solution is – making sure Russian language does not appear in public media,” said Edmunds Apsalons, adding that “there are no simple answers to this issue. There is one side and the other one. The issue isn’t just about there being Russian language, it’s a bout what is spoken in Russian language.”
The whole interview is available here: