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.

• 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