Mass media in LatviaLiene Dembovska

Zane Zajančkauska/Latvija/

Dozens of television stations sprang up soon after the country's independence, but their number fell dramatically after the

introduction of the 1995 Broadcasting Law.

The press and the broadcast media in Latvia generally operate freely, with few legal restrictions on their work.

TV and radio:

• Latvian Television (LTV1 and LTV7)• Latvian Independent Television (LNT)• TV3• districts televisions (TV5, Valmieras, Liepajas, Rezeknes,

Jekabpils, …)

• Radio SWH (SWH+)• Latvian Radio (LR1, LR2, LR3, LR4)

• Radio Skonto, Star FM, …

Latvian Television (LTV)

• national public service broadcasting company financed from the state budget, commercial activities and sponsorship; operates two networks

• Latvian Television produces educational, culture, science, entertainment, children, sports and other programmes for the needs of the society, including programmes on lifestyle and culture of minorities living in Latvia.

• The oldest one, 1954

Independent Television of Latvia (LNT)

• Independent or Free broadcasting company which produces entertainment, informative and science programmes for society

• one of the most popular television canal - main terrestrial commercial channel

TV 3

• The second popular commercial broadcaster – 16%• news, entertainment, shows

Radio SWH

• on the air since 1993; one of the most popular commercial radio• all kind of news, analytics, culture and entertainment

programmes• the Radio SWH+ format is a mix of Russian and world rock

classics and current hits presented by popular personalities, hot national and foreign news, as well as the latest information from the world of music, movies, sports and crime, weather and road new

Radio Latvia (LR)

• national public broadcaster, established on November 1, 1925• since 2002 Radio Latvia supports four programme services :

Latvijas Radio 1, Latvijas Radio 2, Latvijas Radio 3 – Klasika and Latvijas Radio 4 – Doma Square

• Radio Latvia is a culture-orientated company and it is the largest programme producer in Latvia, supporting its Radio Theatre, Radio Chorus, and children’s vocal group. The sound archives hold about 300 000 items. Since January 1, 1993, Radio Latvia is Active Member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

How often do you watch TV news?

Aplūkojot, kā sadalās klausīšanās laiks, kas veltīts katrai no radiostacijām, Latvijā klausītākās ir nacionālās apraides stacijas Latvijas Radio 2 (23 %) un Latvijas Radio 1 (14 %). Skatīt 3. grafiku.

3. grafiks: klausīšanās laika sadalījums Latvijā, 2004. gada vasara

Rīgā šajā periodā pēc skatīšanās laika sadalījuma līdera pozīcijā atrodas Pirmais Baltijas Kanāls (20 %), LNT (13 %), TV3 (10 %) un LTV1 (9 %). Skat. 6. grafiku.

6. grafiks: skatīšanās laika sadalījums Rīgā, 2004. gada vasara

Printed media

• Soviet experience - state controlled media

• 2 separate information spheres: Latvian and Russian speaking

Factors, that makes media of Latvia special:

How often Lavians read daily newspapers?

(I – Every day; II – Few times a week; III Once in a week; IV Less then once in a week; V Never; VI Do not know

48,5 46,1

80,8

0

20

40

60

80

100

Regional National daily National weekly

%

1. grafiks: Nacionālo dienas laikrakstu viena numura vidējā auditorija, %

                                                                                                                                                   

                                          

                                                                                                                                                   

                                          

Bonnier (Sewden)63% share

A/S Diena

Diena

6 Monthly magazines

5 minutesfree newspaper

Regional newaspapers(27% of all subscribers)

                                   

                                     Sarmīte ĒlerteGalvenā redaktore

- Published since 1990- Average print 58 000 – 73 000 copies- Liberal, with clearly defined editoral opinion (EU-optimistic, supporting intervention in the Iraq, etc)- Socialy active

Latvijas Avize

Daiy newapaperAverage print 55 413 copiesThe biggest numbers of subscribers, mainly in the countryside;Conservative; less about high politics, closer to readers.

 

Neatkariga Rita Avize

Average print 16 000 -22 000 copiesliberal,More sceptical in EU and Iraq questionsNo criticisms on Ventspils municipality.

Ainars Lembergs

A/S Ventspils nafta A/S Ventbunkers

A/S Mediju Nams (Media House)

Neatkariga Rita AvizeDaily newspaper

Regional newspapers

Vakara Zinas Yellow press

Rigas BalssEvening paper

A/S Lauku Avize

Latvijas AviyeDaily newspaper

Russian newspapers

Chas - daily Russian newspaper, - avarage print 20 000 copies- agressive, full of criticism on the government and the state - manipulates with „russian-speaking“ problem

Vestji Segodnja - daily Russian newspaper- Avarge print 38 000 copies- more moderate

Internet