On November 10, the National Council was visited by a delegation from the Latvian media regulator – the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP). During the meeting, the parties discussed changes in the media landscape of both countries, challenges related to disinformation, the impact of artificial intelligence, as well as European approaches to regulating digital platforms.
Valentyn Koval, First Deputy Chair of the National Council, thanked the Latvian colleagues for their support of Ukraine and their principled stance in countering Russian propaganda. In the first hours after the start of the full-scale invasion, NEPLP blocked the distribution of most Russian TV channels, and today no Russian programs are broadcast in Latvia. In addition, websites that spread Kremlin propaganda and justify aggression against Ukraine are periodically banned.
“Our independence rests on your freedom, so we support you and are friends of Ukraine,” emphasized Ivars Abolins, Chair of NEPLP.
During the meeting, Valentyn Koval spoke about the implementation of the Law “On the Media,” the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to European acts on digital services, digital markets, and media freedom. The parties also discussed issues related to Russia’s technical interference with Ukraine’s satellite signal, the development of internet broadcasting, and cooperation with international partners. Valentyn Koval noted that one of the problematic issues currently being debated in Ukrainian Parliament and among experts is advertising of gambling.
The experience of the Latvian regulator in communicating with large digital platforms attracted significant interest. As Māra Madara Luse, Head of the International Cooperation and Information Analytics Division at NEPLP, noted, companies respond to NEPLP’s requests and remove content that violates the law. At the same time, each request requires thorough justification regarding violations of national legislation and EU sanctions.
Experts from the National Council, Dmytro Kardash and Ihor Tymofieiev, presented the regulator’s initiatives in the field of media literacy and countering disinformation, implemented in cooperation with DW Akademie and the Pylyp Orlyk Institute.
Yevhen Perelygin, Chief of the Staff of the National Council, emphasized that it is now important for the Ukrainian media regulator to implement an automated system for monitoring the online space. To this end, the regulator plans to study the experience of German and French partners within the Twinning project. He also proposed that Latvian colleagues exchange experience in this and other areas that remain relevant both in EU countries and in Ukraine, particularly regarding approaches to regulating bloggers’ activities.
The parties agreed to establish a mechanism for rapid online consultations between regulators to promptly discuss topics such as the use of AI in media, regulation of bloggers, and interaction with digital platforms.
