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.

• Draft concept on national mass media envisages broadcasts in minority languages
• MPs and Latvian academics discussed return of record on ethnic affiliation in passports

Vesti Segodnya reports about elaboration of a draft concept on national mass media. According to the newspaper, it is planned that the national mass media will broadcast some programs in Russian and languages of other ethnic minorities with an aim to strengthen their loyalty towards the state. The newspaper also notes that it is still unclear how do the national TV channels will attract Russian speakers to watch their broadcasts as the cable TV is very popular and widespread around the country.

Members of the Saeima’s Committee on Society Consolidation discussed with Latvian academics a proposal to restore ethnic affiliation record in passports. The MP Andrejs Judins highlighted the reality of those persons who feel themselves belonging to ethnic Latvian environment but do not belong to Latvian ethnicity genetically and asked what should these persons do if the ethnicity record is restored. According to academic Leo Dribins, today, ethnic affiliation is indicated not by genetics but by culture. Academic Juris Rozenvalds, in his turn, believes that the issue is controversial, because there were cases in Latvian history when such record was used against people. Vesti Segodnya