The Ministers of Culture of the Baltic States call for the protection of the European Information Space
Lithuanian Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys, Latvian Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis and Estonian Minister of Culture Tiit Terik sent a joint letter to the Ministers of Culture and Audiovisual Affairs of other European Union member states regarding the suspension of retransmission of Russian and Belarusian television programmes inciting war and disseminating disinformation.
“On the 24th of February the Russian Federation launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, a sovereign and independent country, in violation of the norms of international law. The Russian military forces are carrying out ground and air attacks on Ukrainian towns and villages, and bombing civilian objects such as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and apartment buildings. Russian military actions are being heavily backed by its media channels, which spread Russian war propaganda and disinformation not only among its own citizens but also among citizens of the European Union, posing an imminent threat to democracy and peace in the whole of Europe. The military and information operations of Russia are fully backed by Belarus, which is engaged in the brutal invasion of a neighbouring country.” – stated in the joint letter of the Ministers of Culture of the Baltic States.
The letter informs that in response to a serious and grave risk of prejudice to public security, including the safeguarding of national security and defence, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia invoked their national laws and Article 3(3) of the Audiovisual Media Service Directive to suspend the free retransmission of the following Russian and Belarusian television programmes for instigation and propaganda of war and incitement to national hatred related to Russia’s declared war against Ukraine: “Pirmais Baltijas Kanals Lietuva” (PBK), ”TV Center International”, “RTR Planeta”, “Rossija 24”, “NTV Mir”, “NTV Mir Baltic”, and “Belarus 24”.
„We are calling on you, in line with your national laws, to consider suspension of the free retransmission of Russian and Belarusian television programmes disseminating war propaganda and disinformation in your respective territories, and thus jointly protect the European information space, preserve democracy and restore peace in Europe. Our relevant authorities are ready to cooperate and exchange necessary information with you in this regard.” – written in the joint letter of the Ministers of Culture of the Baltic States.
Photo by Dainius Labutis (ELTA)
Last updated: 01-03-2022