Latvia Bans Russian Broadcasts in Move to Counter Propaganda

Latvia’s media regulator has called for the termination of all private Russian-language radio stations operating in the country, arguing that the state should not indirectly subsidize such broadcasting through free access to national radio frequencies.

The National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has urged members of Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, to adopt a formal resolution that would end operations of Russian-language commercial radio stations throughout the country.

“Latvia should not fund the operations of private Russian-language radio stations,” said NEPLP chairman Ivars Abolins in a statement that highlighted the regulator’s position. Abolins emphasized that radio frequencies represent the most valuable asset in broadcasting, and providing them at no cost effectively constitutes state support for Russian-language media.

The proposal, which was first submitted to the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs over a month ago, outlines an eight-year transition period to gradually phase out Russian-language radio broadcasting. Despite the submission, Abolins publicly criticized committee chairperson Leila Rasima for failing to add the initiative to the committee’s agenda for formal review.

According to the regulator, the proposal represents a logical continuation of Latvia’s broader language policy reforms. Latvia has already implemented comprehensive changes to its education system, transitioning all state-funded education exclusively to the Latvian language. The NEPLP argues that maintaining Russian-language commercial radio while eliminating Russian from other public spheres creates an inconsistent policy approach.

“Latvia has moved to state-funded education exclusively in Latvian, and there is no reason for valuable state resources to be spent supporting Russian-language content in the commercial radio space,” Abolins noted, urging lawmakers to approach the issue from a state-building perspective.

The initiative comes amid ongoing tensions between Latvia and Russia, with the Baltic state taking numerous steps in recent years to reduce Russian influence within its borders. Latvia, which regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, has a significant Russian-speaking minority that comprises approximately 25% of its population. The country has increasingly viewed Russian-language media as a potential vector for Kremlin influence, particularly following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This is not the first measure Latvia has taken to limit Russian-language media. Previously, the Saeima increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Russian-language printed publications, making their production economically challenging. Several Russian-language television channels have also faced regulatory scrutiny or broadcasting restrictions in recent years.

The proposal comes at a time when other former Soviet republics are similarly reevaluating the status of the Russian language. Kazakhstan, despite maintaining close ties with Moscow, is considering constitutional amendments that would revise the status of Russian in the country. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament recently approved changes to passport formats that will eliminate Russian-language text from travel documents.

Media experts note that the proposed eight-year transition period suggests an attempt to balance policy objectives with market realities. Russian-language radio stations employ numerous Latvian citizens and serve a significant audience segment, making an immediate shutdown potentially disruptive.

Critics of the proposal argue it may further alienate Russian-speaking Latvians, while supporters view it as a necessary step toward strengthening Latvia’s linguistic sovereignty and reducing potential foreign influence. The proposal now awaits formal consideration by the parliamentary committee before potentially moving to the full Saeima for debate and vote.