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.

• Court cancelled fine imposed on journalist Andrejs Mamikins for „disrespect towards the state language”

The Administrative District Court cancelled the fine imposed by the State Language Centre on a host of a TV5’ show “Un-censored” Andrejs Mamikins for „disrespect towards the state language”. The incident took place in August 2010, when the Minister of Transport Kaspars Gerhards took part in the Russian language TV live broadcast “Un-censored” and refused to speak Russian. After the TV host Mr Mamikins appealed to Mr Gerhards’ “nobleness and tolerance” and asked to speak in Russian, the Minister left the studio. Previously, Mr. Gerhards on several occasions communicated with journalists of Russian-language broadcasts in Russian language. The head of the Control department of the Centre of the State Language, Antons Kursitis in his speech before the Parliament stated that the activity of the journalist Mamikins is “linguistic genocide”. The National Radio and Television Council also punished TV5 with LVL 1,500 for violation of the State Language Law in this episode. However, this decision also was cancelled by the court in December 2012. Vesti Segodnya