MPs urge preserving historical brands of Latvian Radio and Latvian Television
Deputies of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, after hearing concerns from public media employees, call for cautious rebranding and retention of the traditional Latvian Radio and Latvian Television names during the merger into a single public broadcaster.
At a meeting of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, deputies gathered public media employees who had expressed concerns about the potential loss of the historical brands – Latvian Radio and Latvian Television – in the process of creating a unified public broadcaster. Committee chair Inese Lībiņa-Egnere noted that there has been tension among stakeholders rather than constructive cooperation, and decisions have been made hastily without adequate discussion.
The deputies emphasized that the brands Latvian Radio and Latvian Television are an essential part of Latvia's democracy, national identity, and public trust, and should be preserved even as the media landscape evolves. They argued that maintaining these brands does not contradict the development of a single public broadcaster; on the contrary, it can strengthen its identity and credibility. This is particularly important in the current context of security challenges and disinformation, where the public places high trust in these historic names.
The committee called for continued dialogue and a common vision before final decisions are made. Lībiņa-Egnere stressed that the deputies represent the entire society and share an understanding of the importance of reliable and independent information. She also warned against going too far with changes that could undermine public confidence.
