Russian television channels will no longer be allowed to broadcast in Latvia. As of Thursday, the around 80 Russian channels that can also be seen in the neighboring country via cable or streaming services are not allowed, the country’s media committee announces.
– TV and radio channels registered in a country that aggressively threatens territorial integrity and independence in another country are no longer allowed to operate in Latvia, says the committee’s chairman Ivars Abolins.
The decision will apply as long as Russian forces are on Ukrainian soil.
At the same time as the decision, the board has licensed the opposition Russian TV channel Dozhd (Rain) to be shown in the country. The channel’s staff have moved to Latvia since the war began on February 24.
Since the Russian annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, Latvia has banned several major Russian television channels from being shown in the country.