Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

In a statement, LAJ points out that the amendments are designed to stymie public knowledge of criminal cases, curbing the rights of the press to inform the community about key developments. LAJ sees the above efforts on the part of the Ministry an overblown protection of privacy, and in fact restricts any reporting on criminal cases, investigations and/or trials ahead of a final verdict or ruling from a judge or bench.

Furthermore, it must be noted that trials in Latvia can last for years, as in the matter of [Ventspils Mayor] Aivars Lembergs and the digital TV affair, which with the new amendments would mean denying the general public any information on highly important legal proceedings. LAJ states that it already acts ethically ("innocent until proven guilty”) when covering events, the profession regulates itself, and more encompassing restrictions are unnecessary.

LAJ wants for Prime Minister Straujuma and the Justice Ministry to review the amendments with sector professionals before any further discussion in the Cabinet of Ministers.