The “Progressive” Strangulation of the Russian Press: Politicians Have Been Preparing the Noose for Almost Two Years 0 9

This year, the state is providing co-financing, which ensures the delivery of 534,096 copies of periodicals worth €403,354.83. Minister of Communications Aitis Švinka (“Progressives”) promised at a government meeting that there will be no more of this!

Benefits for the Ukrainian Press Will Be Maintained. But Is There Any?

"The possibility of changing the current regulation of payment conditions for the delivery of subscribed press publications is being evaluated, extending support from the state budget only to the delivery of such press publications that are published in the official languages of the European Union," is stated in the information document of A. Švinka's department. At the same time, amendments to the Postal Law, rules, and Cabinet of Ministers regulations will be made, "taking into account the geopolitical situation."

A formulation unique in its universality, and at the same time — idiocy. It is interesting what exactly has changed recently in this very geopolitics for Latvia? Perhaps we have somehow shifted on the geological plate a few hundred kilometers closer to Moscow?

Well, of course, not all at once — A. Švinka mentions in his document the "implementation of a unified principle of universal postal service for 2027-2028." For this purpose, negotiations are planned, in particular, with the Latvian Association of Publishers and Latvijas Pasts. And as an extension of the already existing benefits, to extend them to the "historical subspecies of the Latvian language — the Latgalian written language and the language of the indigenous people of Latvia — Livonian." However, publications in the Ukrainian language will also be distributed at preferential rates, as it is the "state language of a candidate country for the European Union."

A Blow, Another Blow

Meanwhile, this document has been sitting on the shelf — as evidenced by the interdepartmental correspondence posted on the Cabinet of Ministers' website between Inese Pakule, a senior advisor in the Department of Electronic Communications and Postal Services of the Ministry of Communications, and Kristers Plešakovs, head of the media policy department. The aforementioned lady and gentleman have been refining the wording since December 2024. That is, we are not dealing with some spontaneous decision, but rather a well-considered one. By the way, both departments are controlled by the same “Progressive” party.

It is worth noting that just recently, a financial blow was dealt to private media that still operate in Latvia in the Russian language — the value-added tax will be increased for them more than fourfold. The goal is calculated, as they say, in one go — it is the complete destruction of the products produced in the language hated by politicians. Whatever content it may contain.