Latvia restricts the use of Russian language in public media

The Saeima of Latvia has adopted in the third reading amendments strengthening the role of the Latvian language in public media. Content in minority languages, including Russian, will be allowed only in exceptional cases: emergencies, special circumstances, or the need to refute false information. The amendments will take effect on January 1, 2027.

The Saeima of Latvia has adopted in the third reading amendments strengthening the role of the Latvian language in public media. According to the changes, content in minority languages, including Russian, will be allowed only in exceptional cases. These include emergencies, special circumstances, or the need to purposefully refute false information that threatens democracy and the state. The amendments will take effect on January 1, 2027.