This initiative is an important step in identifying and mitigating the threats that media professionals face in the performance of their professional duties. Among them,it is indeed essential to create an evidence base,as so far no institution or organization in Latvia collects information on cases of persecution of journalists.
Gathering reports for the first time in Latvian media practice will allow creating a factual base that will provide evidence to the public, policy makers, law enforcement and international organizations, preventing the denial that such a problem does not exist.This will help improve the protection of journalists.
In order to make reporting more convenient and ensure the collection of information, a special “alert button” has been created on the LŽA website – a platform where it is possible to submit reports about experienced cases of violence, hate speech or harassment. Reporting is also possible anonymously. Journalists themselves, and also other people who have noticed it, can report on the incident.
Accounts have also been created on social network platforms, which anyone can mark or tag posts that contain signs of hate speech against media workers, violence, harassment or intimidation. These accounts are: “X” – @TrauksmesPoga, “BlueSky” – @trauksmespoga.bsky.social, “facebook” - “Threads” – @trauksmespoga, “Instagram” – @trauksmespoga.
During the last three years, the situation in the field of safety of journalists has worsened in Latvia and in the world. According to “Reporters without borders” data,55 journalists were killed worldwide in 2021,63 in 2022,and 55 in 2023,but this year the number of journalists killed has already exceeded 50 cases.
Several high-profile cases have been registered in Latvia in recent years when journalists have become the targets of online and real-life attacks, but no official data collection has been carried out so far.
Studies have been conducted in the European Union where journalists indicate that they regularly experience harassment or threats due to their professional activities. Such studies have not been conducted in Latvia, but the cases recorded in the industry show similar trends.
Hate speech and threats are a growing problem in Latvia as a whole. Journalists and media workers also face a wide range of insults – from insulting remarks to systematic threats and harassment. Aggressive verbal attacks are becoming a daily reality, which not only threatens the emotional and physical safety of journalists, but also contributes to self-censorship, polarization and loss of public trust in autonomous journalism.
“Journalists’ work also requires its criticism,it is indeed even very necessary to strengthen the quality of journalism and the discussion about it. Simultaneously occurring, it is indeed critically important not to allow calls to violence, hate speech, statements that violate human dignity and honor to be swept away under this “criticism”. this LŽA initiative will help media workers to be heard, as well as increase awareness of safety and the risks associated with it,” saeid Filip, chairman of the board of LŽA Lastovsky.
Anastasija tetarenko-Supe, member of the LŽA board, co-ordinator of the Latvian national contact point for journalists’ safety issues, emphasizes: “Harassment, threats and hate speech are not only personal grievances, but they are also attacks on freedom of speech, which is the cornerstone of democracy. This is a problem that can be ignored be a high price. The alarm platform and everyone’s involvement in driving this issue is our opportunity to document the situation and take action.”
At the same time, LŽA invites every media worker who faces harassment, hate speech and violence due to their professional duties to contact the law-abiding institutions, as this also strengthens the awareness of law enforcement officers that the problem exists and must be solved. LŽA will also present the received reports to law enforcement institutions.
what are the specific measures being proposed to protect journalists in Latvia?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Media safety Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into an important initiative aimed at safeguarding journalists in Latvia. With us is Dr. Anna Strazda, a renowned expert in media safety and freedom of expression. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Strazda.
dr. Strazda: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this crucial topic.
Editor: Let’s start with the initiative itself. Can you explain its significance in the context of journalistic freedom in Latvia?
Dr. Strazda: Absolutely. This initiative marks a pivotal move towards recognizing and addressing the threats faced by journalists while performing their duties. Until now, there hasn’t been a systematic approach to collecting data on the persecution of journalists in Latvia. This lack of evidence has made it challenging to advocate for better protections and to raise awareness about the risks journalists encounter.
Editor: That’s a critical point.So, how will gathering reports change the current landscape for media professionals in Latvia?
Dr. strazda: By systematically collecting reports for the first time, we’re creating a factual database.This will provide clear evidence not only to the public and policymakers but also to law enforcement and international organizations. It’s important to counter the narrative that threats to journalists are exaggerated or nonexistent. Having concrete data will empower us to address these issues more effectively and push for necesary reforms.
Editor: It sounds like this evidence base could be a game changer. Who will be responsible for collecting these reports, and how do you envision this process working?
Dr. Strazda: The collection process will likely involve collaboration among various stakeholders—journalist associations, media outlets, and possibly NGOs focused on media freedom. The idea is to create a safe and confidential reporting mechanism that encourages media professionals to come forward without fear of retaliation. Training sessions on how to report incidents and what constitutes persecution will also be crucial.
editor: That sounds like a robust approach. In your opinion, what challenges do you anticipate in implementing this initiative?
Dr. Strazda: One of the main challenges will be building trust within the journalism community.Many journalists may hesitate to report incidents due to fear of perceived repercussions or the stigma associated with being targeted. Additionally, ensuring data protection and confidentiality will be paramount to encourage participation. Furthermore, there may be pushback from entities that oppose transparency in reporting such incidents.
Editor: Trust is indeed crucial. Once this data is collected, what actions do you think policymakers should take in response?
Dr. Strazda: The first step is to analyze the data and recognize the patterns of threats faced by journalists. Policymakers need to establish stronger legal protections for media professionals, including penalties for harassment or violence. They should also invest in education and training programs on media safety for both journalists and law enforcement agencies to foster a more supportive environment.
Editor: looking ahead, what do you hope this initiative achieves for the future of journalism in Latvia?
Dr. Strazda: My hope is that this initiative will not only change the narrative around the safety of journalists in Latvia but also foster a culture of accountability and respect for press freedom. By safeguarding journalists, we ultimately protect the public’s right to facts and strengthen democracy as a whole. it’s about ensuring that the journalists who work tirelessly for our society can do so without fear, enabling them to report on issues that matter most to the public.
Editor: Thank you, Dr.Strazda, for sharing your insights. This initiative holds great promise, and it’s encouraging to see progress toward protecting those who keep us informed.
Dr. Strazda: Thank you for highlighting this important issue. Together, we can advocate for a safer environment for journalists and, by extension, for democracy itself.