Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Technology, Telecomunications

As LETA was told at NEPLP, the violation was detected in the Morning Panorama program that aired on LTV1 channel on August 6.

In a live interview to the Morning Panorama, a Samsung representative told about the electronics company's newest technologies and demonstrated them during the live broadcast, as well as provided information about the possibilities to purchase these goods in Latvia. The TV audience was indirectly invited to buy these Samsung goods. 

On assessing the interview with the Samsung representative, NEPLP concluded that it contained signs of a hidden audiovisual commercial. In Latvia, hidden audio or audiovisual commercials are prohibited by law. 

Although LTV has partly admitted to breaching the law, the violation is considered to be significant and the public broadcaster has been fined with EUR 4,000.