Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Forum, Latvia, Legislation

Rinkevics underlined that media freedom and safety of journalists is a priority of Latvia’s foreign policy in the field of human rights and called on the international community to respond, in a swift and decisive manner in cases where media freedom and the safety, health and life of journalists is exposed to a clear threat.

We wish to draw extra attention to the dramatic situation with the media in Belarus, said Minister Rinkevics and he informed the audiences that Latvia has been offering support, training and therapy programs for journalists who have been injured in Belarus. ''We call on like-minded countries to enhance their support for the independent media in Belarus,'' the Foreign Minister said.

The Latvian Foreign Minister also emphasized the need for increasing support for a diverse, professional and stable media environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure continuity in the functioning of independent commercial media during the pandemic, the Latvian Government has allocated more than two million euros from the state budget towards capacity building for print and electronic media, Rinkevics noted.

The UNESCO World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually to promote and protect the work of a pluralistic and independent press across the world. To mark the occasion, an online conference is being held December 9-10. The event seeks to promote the need to stand up for a free, safe and independent media and protect journalism from new and existing forms of unwanted control, pressure and influence, which is of key importance during the pandemic and in dealing with its consequences, the Foreign Ministry points out.