Latvian parliament advances public broadcaster name protections

Latvia’s parliament has unanimously backed, at first reading, amendments to preserve the historic names and identities of Latvijas Radio and Latvijas Televīzija, the public radio and television broadcasters, LSM reported. The proposals would require the merged public media organisation to use the identities in its communications, programming, editorial work and digital platforms.

The amendments, submitted by lawmakers from the Union of Greens and Farmers, also cover institutional representation and other forms of public communication. Parliament plans to decide the issue before the end of its current term, using an expedited process.

Latvian Public Media board chair Baiba Zūzena said the proposed changes go beyond protecting brand names and could effectively halt the creation of a unified public media organisation. She pointed to requirements to retain historical editorial structures, saying the organisation had already made several changes in the more than 18 months since the media outlets were merged.

Zūzena said a unified Latgale newsroom had been established and Latvijas Radio 4’s Russian-language linear broadcasts had been discontinued. She cut short a work trip abroad to go with the board to the Public Electronic Mass Media Council.

Latvian Radio journalist Mariona Baltkalne described Zūzena’s assessment as exaggerated. The board plans to speak with staff, and further proposals, including from the Public Electronic Mass Media Council, are expected before parliament’s final decision.