Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Journalist Aleksandr Shabanov argues against the article “Russian Dialogue: a New Page” by Dmitry Nikolayev published in 12 April’s issue of

Journalist Aleksandr Shabanov argues against the article Russian Dialogue: a New Page by Dmitry Nikolayev published in 12 Aprils issue of Diena. He believes that because of the increasing role of the Latvian language in the country, the future of the Russian language press is under threat. Therefore the behaviour and publications of the Russian language press look unprofessional, destructive and inadequate, as the Russian media are concerned that the Latvian language press will squeeze them out of the market. Diena

Dita Araja writes that the proposed amendments to State Language regulations expanding the list of professions in the private sphere required to have a certain state language proficiency level could lead to court proceedings and international controversy. Such a conclusion can be made on the basis of the case law in international courts, which clearly states that requirements set by countries should meet the goals invoked by their governments.

Dita Araja writes that the proposed amendments to State Language regulations expanding the list of professions in the private sphere required to have a certain state language proficiency level could lead to court proceedings and international controversy. Such a conclusion can be made on the basis of the case law in international courts, which clearly states that requirements set by countries should meet the goals invoked by their governments. Diena

Diena

writes about the reforms in national TV Channel II concerning the Russian news department. The administration of national TV has planned to introduce an additional news programme, regular nightly interviews and a weekly programme on foreign policy in the Russian language. The administration is also planning to replace the current anchors of the news Irina Vinnika and Regina Locmele. They will be offered the opportunity to conduct the nightly interviews. Irina Vinnika believes that these are just excuses, and that the only goal is to get them out of the news department. She is concerned that news about national minorities will be aired rather seldom, which would make the Russian audience switch to the news of Channel V or, even worse, to Russias TV. Director of the News Department Baiba Strautmane stresses that also in the future key socio-political news will be translated into Russian, but Russian news anchors will produce news about national minorities. writes about the reforms in national TV Channel II concerning the Russian news department. The administration of national TV has planned to introduce an additional news programme, regular nightly interviews and a weekly programme on foreign policy in the Russian language. The administration is also planning to replace the current anchors of the news Irina Vinnika and Regina Locmele. They will be offered the opportunity to conduct the nightly interviews. Irina Vinnika believes that these are just excuses, and that the only goal is to get them out of the news department. She is concerned that news about national minorities will be aired rather seldom, which would make the Russian audience switch to the news of Channel V or, even worse, to Russia’s TV. Director of the News Department Baiba Strautmane stresses that also in the future key socio-political news will be translated into Russian, but Russian news anchors will produce news about national minorities.

Neatkariga

interviews professor at the University of Latvia Abrams Kleckins about the 8th Saeima elections. He believes that the current governing parties have exhausted themselves and are not capable of generating and implementing new ideas. Kleckins believes that all residents who pay taxes should have the right to participate in the elections of local municipalities. He is concerned that nationalism has been used against the Latvian people, and it was used to get rid of non-Latvians as competitors in politics. interviews professor at the University of Latvia Abrams Kleckins about the 8th Saeima elections. He believes that the current governing parties have exhausted themselves and are not capable of generating and implementing new ideas. Kleckins believes that all residents who pay taxes should have the right to participate in the elections of local municipalities. He is concerned that nationalism has been used against the Latvian people, and it was used to get rid of non-Latvians as competitors in politics. Representatives of newspapers and magazines issued by the publishing house Petit (mostly in the Russian language) held a meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

Representatives of newspapers and magazines issued by the publishing house Petit (mostly in the Russian language) held a meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Chas

The participants of the Forum for Latvian language teachers concluded that Latvians, including the radio, press and TV, speak incorrect Latvian. A new Latvian language training methodology should be developed and a course in Latvian language culture should be introduced in all universities.

The participants of the Forum for Latvian language teachers concluded that Latvians, including the radio, press and TV, speak incorrect Latvian. A new Latvian language training methodology should be developed and a course in Latvian language culture should be introduced in all universities. Chas

Vesti Segodnja

reproaches the Latvian language press for organising a silent protest against the delegation of Russias TV stating that they did not inform their readers about the visit of the delegation. reproaches the Latvian language press for organising a silent protest against the delegation of Russia’s TV stating that they did not inform their readers about the visit of the delegation. FHRUL deputy Yakov Pliner and representatives of Russian NGOs have issued a statement calling on Russian students and their parents to get involved in the preservation of the Russian language and culture, in particular, by supporting the introduction of the subject Basics of Russian Culture at Russian schools

FHRUL deputy Yakov Pliner and representatives of Russian NGOs have issued a statement calling on Russian students and their parents to get involved in the preservation of the Russian language and culture, in particular, by supporting the introduction of the subject Basics of Russian Culture at Russian schools. Vesti Segodnja