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

• Aleksandr Shabanov comments on the decision of the Constitution Court to abolish the norm in the Law on Radio and TV
• Integration Secretariat presents its new premises
• Opinion poll: two contradicting communities will continue their co-existence in Latvia
• Racism in Latvia

Diena

features an article by Aleksandr Shabanov about the decision of the Constitution Court on abolishment the norm in the Law on Radio and TV, which stipulated that only up to 25% of radio programmes may be aired in foreign languages. Aleksandr Shabanov forecasts that most probably more and more radio programmes produced in Russia will be aired in the Latvian market of radio programmes if the Saeima does not introduce any obstacles for re-translation of these programmes. He notes that something should be done in the field of Latvian language learning and advice Russian radio stations to produce programmes in simple Latvian language and air them in the best show times.

Lauku Avize

reports that yesterday the official opening of the new premises of the Secretariat for Societal Integration Affairs took place. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks said that he has a very good team and 40% of his staff are non-Latvians. The newspaper provides financial data regarding formation of the Secretariat. Chas

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS, almost a half of surveyed people believe that the situation that there is two-community society in Latvia will continue their co-existence in the future as well. The opinion regarding this issue has not changed since 1998 when the SKDS conducted a similar poll. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

features an article about racism in Latvia. The newspaper writes that the official stance is that there is no racism in Latvia, however, the newspaper carries out its interviews with representatives of different nationalities and looks into studies of experts. The newspaper concludes that the lack of clear and open racial expressions is due the lack of racial minorities in Latvia.