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.

• Minister of Education Ina Druviete: in national minority schools, physics, chemistry, and maths would be taught in Latvian
• Russia’s TV channel is back on air after the three-month ban for distribution of war propaganda

Vesti Segodnya interviews the Minister of Education Ina Druviete. According to the Minister, a serious preparatory works has to be done for introduction of a language reform in ethnic minority schools scheduled for 2018. The Minister says that subjects connected to ethnic identity will continue to be taught in Russian in Russian language schools. Such subjects are: history, literature, history of culture, and geography. Physics, chemistry, and maths in minority schools will be taught in Latvian language. The Minister does not agree that such emphasis on the state language could harm the quality of education content and says that language is only a tool for education. Mrs Druviete says that the Ministry has a specific plan for arrangement of courses for teachers on improvement of Latvian language proficiency and mastering different methods of teaching subjects in Latvian.

Russia’s TV channel “Rossija RTR” banned for distribution of Russia’s war propaganda for three months is back on air in Latvia. Commenting the case, the MEP from Latvia, ex-Minister of Defence Artic Pabriks says that the cable TV operators should be responsible for the information they distribute – they can distribute free and alternative information but not lies. At the same time, Mr Pabriks believes that the ban of TV channels is not the best way to achieve the desired results and it is rather important to develop qualitative media content for Russian speaking residents. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga