Seven NGOs associated with media work have submitted a no-confidence motion against the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) to the Chairman of the Saeima and the Chair of the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee, according to a joint statement on June 15, Baltic World reports.

The motion states that the media regulatory body composition systematically infringes its mandate and limits independent media work in Latvia, and asks that the standing council be withdrawn from office.

The organizations that support Latvian independent media and their employees say in their submission that the current practice of the NEPLP composition is contrary to the interests of society, including the media.

The NEPLP unduly interferes with the content created by the media, creates disproportionate restrictions on the functioning of the media, undermining the independence of the media, said the statement of the organizations.

Recently, the decision of the NEPLP on the €8,500 penalty for the TVNET group raised confusion among media organizations. According to the NEPLP, the word “deportation” was incorrectly used, even though it is a valid legal term in Latvian legislation.

“It must be acknowledged that the current composition of NEPLP consistently acts outside the limits of its competence and powers, targeting the media and journalists, seeking to limit their right to freedom of expression, and seeking to limit the right of the media to do their job. The Council, in breach of its powers, aims to regulate the entire information room. The case with the administrative sanction applied by the Council to the TVNET group for allegedly inappropriate use of the word “deportation” is the final straw in order to mobilize all leading and active media organizations to protect freedom of expression in Latvia, eliminating any signs of censorship in the Latvian media environment. We haven’t been listened to for a long time, but this case has been the final straw in our leniency."

“The foundation of a democratic society is the independence of the media, which, due to the composition of the NEPLP Council, is dangerously twisted. Therefore, immediate action is needed – immediate decisions and changes,”

said Gunta Sloga, executive director of the Baltic Center for Media Excellence, on behalf of the initiative.

The letter was signed by the Sustainability Fund (Ilgtspējas fonds), the Baltic Center for Media Excellence, the Latvian Association of Journalists, the Latvian Journalists Union, the Latvian Advertising Association, the organization For Legal Content (Par legālu saturu), and the Latvian Regional Media Association.