Media and film groups urge halt to Latvian dubbing amendments

Latvian broadcasters, the Latvian Public Media (LSM) and the Latvian Film Producers Association have urged Parliament not to approve amendments requiring television content in languages that are not official languages of European Union member states to be dubbed or voiced in Latvian, LSM reported Monday.

The organisations said the proposed rules would weaken media registered in Latvia, restrict the availability of Latvian films on television and distort authors’ creative intentions. They also warned that the changes could encourage viewers to consume more foreign media and use global streaming platforms.

Parliament approved the amendments to the Electronic Mass Media Law in their second reading on July 23. They would require television programmes or parts of programmes produced in foreign languages of European Union countries to be voiced, dubbed or provided with Latvian subtitles. The amendments still require approval in a third reading.

In an open letter to senior state officials and members of Parliament, the organisations said they fully supported strengthening the Latvian language in the country’s information and cultural environment.

However, they said that goal could not be achieved through poorly drafted regulation. The letter’s authors described the proposed amendments as a legislative failure that should not be rushed through, particularly in the pre-election period.