Journalists' association warns Saeima ban on merging news services may breach Constitution

The Latvian Journalists' Association (LŽA) warned on 22 October that a decision by the Saeima may conflict with both the Satversme, Latvia's constitution, and the European Media Freedom Act. The Saeima, Latvia's parliament, has adopted a law banning the merger of the news services of Latvian Radio and Latvian Television, the country's public broadcasters.

The association's assessment

The LŽA considers the step not only a dangerous precedent but also direct interference by political power in the internal organisation of an independent public medium. In the association's view, parliament used its legislative power to take a specific decision that should, in essence, remain within the professional and organisational autonomy of the media outlet itself.

Urgent procedure

The association particularly highlights that the decision was adopted under an urgent procedure. The day before, a Saeima committee had agreed to examine the issue in a separate bill, which would have allowed for broader discussion.

According to the LŽA, such conduct raises concerns about the independence of public media, because it lets the legislature decide matters tied to the editorial and organisational work of broadcasters.