The NEPLP will call for an EU-wide ban on RT programs

The National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) has banned the broadcasting in Latvia of programs by the most influential Kremlin propaganda channel, RT, formerly known as Russia Today. The decision is related to the media owner being on the European Union (EU) sanctions list.

Dmitry Kiselyev is one of the most visible implementers of Russian propaganda campaigns. Included in the EU’s sanctions list for undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. According to the information at the disposal of the Latvian security services and the media supervisor, he is also under the actual control and management of the Kremlin’s most influential propaganda medium, RT, which regularly portrays Latvia as a failed state in its broadcasts.

NEPLP has decided to ban seven programs belonging to the RT group, formerly Russia Today, in Latvia. RT is known as the most influential and leading broadcaster of Kremlin propaganda. We have information, evidence and facts that Dmitrijs Kiseļevs, who is subject to EU sanctions, exercises effective control over these programs here, and therefore we are currently complying with EU sanctions requirements and banning the distribution of these programs in Latvia, ”says IEP Āboliņš, Chairman of NEPLP.

Given that Kiselyev is subject to sanctions throughout the EU, the media supervisor will inform national media regulators of the decision.

Let us call for a ban on these RT programs throughout the EU, because, in our opinion, there is no place for such programs either in Latvia or in the EU. We see that the population who speak minority languages ​​unfortunately watches these Kremlin media here, and this is a very big problem in Latvia, ”Āboliņš points out.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TV3 Uudised pointed out that the actions taken by the competent authorities were not related to media content, but to compliance with financial restrictions set by the EU. Namely, the decision of the NEPLP is related to the need to comply with the international sanctions binding on Latvia.

“This decision concerns the application of EU sanctions and, above all, the application of sanctions, because one of the European sanctioned persons, Kiselyev, actually benefits both from the influence of these channels. Latvia, together with several other EU countries, consulted with the European Commission on the application of uniform sanctions, and around Jānis we received a response from the European Commission that any financial and economic activities performed by authorized persons or companies controlled by them, including the media, are subject to sanctions. Explains Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (“New Unity”).

Meanwhile, the State Security Service (VDD) states in a written reply to TV3 News that the service welcomes the decision taken by the media supervisor as in line with the interests of national security in the current geopolitical conditions.

“In Russia’s propaganda architecture, its major media companies play an important role, from entertainment shows, films and programs for children to daily news content about events in Russia and the world. Russian television channels, by regularly disseminating disinformation about Latvia and its allies, are one of the main tools for realizing the goals of Russian propaganda in the territory of Latvia, ”points out the SLS.

The decision of the Latvian media supervisor has already been echoed in Russian propaganda channels. Kiselyev called the Latvian decision to the Internet media “Sputnik” the stupidity of the Russophobic Latvian authorities. Kiselyov has no connection with this television channel and the Latvian government must immediately return RT’s broadcasting in Latvia. It should be noted that the decision of the Latvian media supervisor enters into force at the moment of its notification and will be valid until the time when Kiselyev is removed from the European sanctions list.

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