Reporters Without Frontiers (RSF) has called the decision by the Latvian regulator NEPLP to withdraw the licence of the independent Russian channel TV Rain (Dohzd) shameful.
According to Jeanne Cavelier, the head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, “The incomprehensible and disturbing decision to rescind Dozhd’s licence in Latvia is unworthy of a European country that defends press freedom.
“This censorship of an independent Russian media outlet undermines efforts to combat Kremlin propaganda, which is one of the Latvian government’s goals. If the decision was taken in connection with State Security Service concerns about ‘threats to national security and public order,’ as claimed in the media regulator’s official statement, the regulator must provide a precise explanation of the reasons”.
RSF adds that despite its public statements critical of the war in Ukraine, the channel has been accused by the Latvian regulator of “possible support for the Russian armed forces”.
Broadband TV News notes that the Lithuanian regulator RTK has announced that TV Rain will also no longer be available in the country from December 8.
