• Commissioner for Multilingualism Leonard Orban: promotion of multilingualism in the European Union applies to all languages used in the member countries including minority languages
• Society Unity Prize presented to NGO Dialogi.lv

The Commissioner for Multilingualism Leonard Orban of the European Commission replying to a request of the MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere stated that promotion of multilingualism in the European Union applies to all languages used in the member countries including minority languages and languages of third countries. As reported, Mrs Vaidere sent request to the Commissioner asking to explain wide usage of Russian language in European mass media. Especially Mrs. Vaidere complained that such media channels as Euronews, Eurosport and BBC broadcast and publish news in Russian, while such services are not available in Latvian language. The Commissioner stated that private TV channels choose their own broadcasting strategies and the European Commission cannot impact it.  

The Commissioner for Multilingualism Leonard Orban of the European Commission replying to a request of the MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere stated that promotion of multilingualism in the European Union applies to all languages used in the member countries including minority languages and languages of third countries. As reported, Mrs Vaidere sent request to the Commissioner asking to explain wide usage of Russian language in European mass media. Especially Mrs. Vaidere complained that such media channels as Euronews, Eurosport and BBC broadcast and publish news in Russian, while such services are not available in Latvian language. The Commissioner stated that private TV channels choose their own broadcasting strategies and the European Commission cannot impact it. Vesti Segodnya

The Society Integration Foundation presented the Society Unity Prize to NGO “Dialogi.lv” for long term and systematic promotion of dialogue between various society groups.

The Society Integration Foundation presented the Society Unity Prize to NGO Dialogi.lv for long term and systematic promotion of dialogue between various society groups. Latvijas Avize

• National Radio and Television Council drew up an administrative protocol on alleged incitement to ethnic hatred
• Mayor of the Riga City Council Nils Usakovs: my activities are under especially high attention from ethnic Latvians and ethnic Russians

The National Radio and Television Council (NRTC) drew up an administrative protocol on alleged incitement to ethnic hatred in Channel TV5 broadcast “Un-censored” presented by Andrejs Mamikins. The protocol will be reviewed at the NRTC’s meeting on 17 December. The NRTC initiated the case against Andrejs Mamikins after complaints about one-sided questions in the 18 November broadcast’s TV viewers’ opinion poll.

The National Radio and Television Council (NRTC) drew up an administrative protocol on alleged incitement to ethnic hatred in Channel TV5 broadcast Un-censored presented by Andrejs Mamikins. The protocol will be reviewed at the NRTCs meeting on 17 December. The NRTC initiated the case against Andrejs Mamikins after complaints about one-sided questions in the 18 November broadcasts TV viewers opinion poll. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Mayor of the Riga City Council Nils Usakovs. According to the Mayor, he is the first ethnic Russian who occupies such high post in Latvia and, therefore, all his activities are under especially high attention from both ethnic Latvian and ethnic Russian side.

• Channel TV5: National Radio and Television Council limits the freedom of speech

In response to the National Radio and Television Council (NRTC), which accused TV5 presenter Andrejs Mamikins in incitement to ethnic hatred, the Channel TV5 stated that the Council puts pressure on journalists and limits freedom of speech. As reported, the reason for the accusations is TV-viewers’ public opinion poll held during live broadcast “Un-censored” (broadcasted in Russian language) presented by Mr. Mamikins on the Independence Day 18 November. During the broadcast, the viewers could vote to answer a question: “What was Latvia’s acquisition of independence?” One of the offered answers was “it was a fatal mistake.”

In response to the National Radio and Television Council (NRTC), which accused TV5 presenter Andrejs Mamikins in incitement to ethnic hatred, the Channel TV5 stated that the Council puts pressure on journalists and limits freedom of speech. As reported, the reason for the accusations is TV-viewers public opinion poll held during live broadcast Un-censored (broadcasted in Russian language) presented by Mr. Mamikins on the Independence Day 18 November. During the broadcast, the viewers could vote to answer a question: What was Latvias acquisition of independence? One of the offered answers was it was a fatal mistake. Head of the NRTC Abrams Kleckins stated that such wording of answer about independence of Latvia is unacceptable. In the meantime, according to the head of TV5, the opinion poll was about political views and thus the NRTC itself incites ethnic hatred if it considers that political views of residents depend on their ethnic belonging. Telegraf, rus.DELFI.lv

• Vesti Segodnya reports about a study Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Estonia and Latvia
• 15th anniversary of Latvian Association of Russian Communities

Vesti Segodnya reports about a study Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Estonia and Latvia conducted by Russian think tank Institute for Democracy and Co-operation and presented recently in Brussels. According to the study, non-titular residents of Latvia and Estonia are discriminated against and are facing various problems in realisation of their fundamental rights.

Chas reports about 15th anniversary of Latvian Association of Russian Communities. The Association unites 35 NGOs.

• Riga Regional Court sentenced three young men to six months of imprisonment for hate crime

The Riga Regional Court sentenced three young men to six months of imprisonment for hate crime. One under-age person got acquitted. In April 2009, the youngsters physically attacked a Roma man in the centre of Riga arguing that their attack was motivated by alleged involvement of Roma people in drugs trade.

The Riga Regional Court sentenced three young men to six months of imprisonment for hate crime. One under-age person got acquitted. In April 2009, the youngsters physically attacked a Roma man in the centre of Riga arguing that their attack was motivated by alleged involvement of Roma people in drugs trade. Latvijas Avize