National Focal Point

Ms Anastasija TETARENKO-SUPE, Member of the Board of the Latvian Association of Journalists 

National Campaign Committee

On 10 April 2024, the Ministry of Culture established a multi-stakeholder working group to develop an action plan that will address safety issues faced by journalists and other media professionals in Latvia. Specifically, the plan will focus on implementing the “Secure Media Space” action line of the Media Policy Guidelines 2024-2027. This includes promoting media freedom, protecting journalists from violence and threats, ensuring digital safety, establishing an appropriate legal and institutional framework, and improving the practical security situation. The plan will take into account the relevant research on the safety of journalists in Latvia and Europe, as well as the recommendations of the Council of Europe and European Commission, the European Media Freedom Act, and other relevant legislation. Beside representatives from state institutions, media councils, associations and unions, media excellence and investigative journalism centres, and academic experts, the group also welcomed new representatives from Latvian Television (LTV), Latvian Radio, and the Latvian public electronic mass media ombudsman have joined. The working group now consists of 34 members.

Since its establishment, the working group held a total of 9 meetings, including 4 thematic meetings that involved only the most pertinent representatives. Additional meetings are scheduled to take place in 2025. During the working group meetings, representatives from various institutions and organisations identified the primary risks and challenges that journalists and other media professionals encounter in their daily lives. Issues concerning collaboration between law enforcement agencies and journalists, along with their organizations and associations, have also been identified. The working group serves as a platform for relevant parties to collaborate, engage in dialogue about issues regarding the safety of journalists, and seek solutions to enhance the overall safety situation. All stakeholders, including law enforcement, media councils, associations, unions, and academic experts, are actively involved in developing the Action Plan.