LSM board disciplines editors over storm coverage failures

The board of Latvia’s Public Broadcasting (LSM) has completed an internal review of actions taken during the storm on August 22–23 and decided on disciplinary liability. According to Lsm.lv, chief editor Anita Brauna and Latvian Radio News chief editor Zane Eniņa have been disciplined for conduct inconsistent with their official responsibilities. The remaining employees who were evaluated received verbal reprimands.

In reaching its decisions, the board assessed each responsible employee’s duties, powers, professional accountability and actual conduct in the specific situation, as well as the explanations they provided. The review found that during the storm the severity of the situation was not assessed quickly enough, and decisions on adapting content and programming were not made in a timely manner.

Earlier, following criticism over insufficient storm coverage, the head of Latvian Radio’s News service Uģis Lībietis resigned. On Sunday, Latvian Television’s programme “De facto” reported that even the position of chief editor Anita Brauna was not secure.

The storm also exposed shortcomings in LSM’s internal cooperation, decision-making and ability to promptly adjust programming as the situation developed. As a result, LSM is currently reviewing its procedures for crisis management, decision-making and editorial cooperation.