Saeima backs keeping Latvijas Radio and LTV names; LSM chief warns of consequences

The Saeima, Latvia's parliament, on Thursday, 15 October, backed in first reading amendments proposed by deputies of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) to the law on public electronic media. They require Latvian Public Media (LSM), the body combining the state broadcasters Latvijas Radio and Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), to keep and use both historic names. LSM board chair Baiba Zūzena, however, argues that the amendments effectively halt the creation of a single public media organisation.

What the amendments say

The names "Latvijas Radio" and "Latvijas Televīzija" must be preserved and used across all programmes, information resources, digital platforms and external communication of the public media. The explanatory note says Latvijas Radio has operated since 1925 and LTV since 1954, and that their names, symbols and reputation are an important element of public trust.

In the first reading 86 deputies voted in favour, while Arvils Ašeradens (New Unity) and Jānis Dinevičs (ZZS) did not vote. The final reading is planned for next week.

Objections from the LSM head

In an opinion piece, Zūzena says that after staff concerns, four discussion forums were held with 52 representatives of all units, which also covered how to keep the two brand names. The agreement was included in the brand strategy that the Public Electronic Media Council noted on 1 October. In her view, the amendments reach far beyond preserving names and could alter the merger process already under way.

She urges separating the preservation of historic names from the regulation of the media's operations, and gives examples: whether broadcasts in Russian should be restored because Latvijas Radio historically had such an editorial team, whether the Latgale editorial office should be closed because none existed historically, and which year's "Panorāma" logo would have to be used. Zūzena asks that the law not be handled under an accelerated procedure until its practical effects are assessed.

Background

Earlier, LTV and Latvijas Radio employees sent an open letter to the LSM board asking to keep the historic brands, and the sides later agreed to preserve them.