In Latvia, the broadcasting of Russian-language radio stations should be gradually halted, stated the Chairman of the National Council for Electronic Media, Ivars Aboliņš, during the Latvian Radio program "Krustpunktā."
It seems that the expulsion of public Russian-language radio from the airwaves was not enough for some. Aboliņš emphasized that radio cannot be compared to other types of media, as its operation requires a state resource — a broadcasting frequency. "Radio can only operate if the state provides the most valuable part of the business — the frequency — for free," said Aboliņš.
He noted that there are currently 13 Russian-language radio stations operating in Latvia, while there are about 40 stations broadcasting in total across the country.
According to Aboliņš, on January 14, he submitted a proposal to the Saeima that envisions a phased cessation of Russian-language broadcasting over eight years — by not renewing existing licenses, which will expire naturally.
Under the proposal, licenses for Russian-language broadcasting will no longer be renewed, with the last one expiring in 2034. In Aboliņš's opinion, this is the only reasonable and legally correct way to gradually abandon the use of the Russian language in broadcasting, as reported by LSM+.
