As Siksnis told the LETA agency, SEPLP will decide on further action already on Tuesday.
He did not reveal the name of the candidate, but indicated that the SEPLP announcement will follow the meeting, and then the name of the candidate will be announced. Sisnis pointed out that this candidate still needs to be approached, because maybe he has decided that he does not want to run, and then SEPLP would have to hold a new contest, which he “would not want very much”.
It is unofficially known that this candidate could be the executive director of the Latvian Association of Broadcasters Ingemārs Vekteris.
It has already been reported that the candidates for LSM board members held a meeting with Latvian Television employees yesterday.
“Right now it is difficult for me to see a way in which we could meaningfully work together,” Baiba Zūzena, who was nominated for the position of board chairperson, said on the Latvian Television program ”Panorāma” after the discussion on Monday about Šulcs, a candidate for the position of board member in matters of technology management.
Meanwhile, Schultz withdrew his participation in the competition on Tuesday. He expressed in the “Krustpunkt” program of Latvian Radio that he was unpleasantly surprised by the intrigues that have formed around the position and has unofficially heard that the other candidate who made it to the last round of the competition is an old business partner of the potential LSM board chairwoman Zūzenas, which is why he wants to work with a familiar person with whom she has collaborated in many business projects.
Schultz pointed out that although every member of the board has the same rights and the chairman of the board does not choose the members of the board, he understands that cooperation in such a board, which should be based on mutual trust and aimed at achieving goals, is strongly endangered in this case.
He emphasized that the members of the board should be independent of each other and not related to old business ties, therefore, in his opinion, by nominating an old business partner of Züzenas to the position of board member in matters of technology management, independence is threatened and old business ties may create a desire to jointly organize some projects .
Therefore, Schultz invited SEPLP to create a new competition for his position, in which he undertakes not to participate.
Meanwhile, Züzena stated that she agrees with Schultz that the candidate selection process was organized professionally, but it is difficult for her to even comment on the insults that she somehow promoted the second place winner of this position. “I expressed my concerns, those people who know me in the business, during the TV3 days, even afterwards, know that I have never had any difficulty in openly expressing my opinion, and I did it this time as well,” said Suzen, adding that SEPLP will approve the board and will work with such a board.
“I don’t think any insults need to be commented on at this moment,” said Suzen.
The members of the board of the unified LSM are expected to be approved on Thursday. As mentioned, the long-time manager of TV3, Zūzena, is promoted to the position of chairman of the board. On the other hand, Ieva Aile is promoted to the position of board member in matters of program and service development, Inese Tanne to the position of board member in matters of financial management, and Ilze Ogle is nominated to the position of board member in matters of personnel management.
At the beginning of April, the merger of Latvijas Radio and Latvijas Televīzisas began, with the two state-owned companies merging to establish LSM, which will begin work on January 1, 2025.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Media Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, [Expert’s Name], and thank you for joining us today to discuss the unfolding events surrounding the leadership situation at the Latvian State Media Council (SEPLP). It seems there’s a lot of tension and uncertainty. Can you provide us with a brief overview of the current situation?
Expert: Thank you for having me. Yes, the situation indeed has developed into quite a saga. SEPLP is at a crossroads as they consider their next steps following the withdrawal of several candidates for board positions, which has raised questions about the integrity of the selection process. The latest uncertainty stems from the potential nomination of Ingemārs Vekteris, the executive director of the Latvian Association of Broadcasters, although he hasn’t officially confirmed his candidacy yet.
TNE: That’s right. There are concerns that the candidate might already be disinterested in running, which could lead the SEPLP to initiate another contest. Why do you think there’s such apprehension surrounding this potential nomination?
Expert: Well, the apprehension seems to stem from a few key issues. First, there are concerns about the candidate’s connections. Schultz, who withdrew his candidacy, indicated that there are problematic ties between the potential nominee and Baiba Zūzena, the nominated chairperson. He fears that these connections could compromise the independence of the board and hinder collaborative progress.
TNE: Schultz’s revelations about the old business ties are quite significant. What do you think this says about the climate of trust within the organization?
Expert: It reveals a troubling environment where trust is already fragile. When board members have past business connections, it complicates decision-making processes and can lead to perceptions of bias. Schultz’s insistence on a fresh start, devoid of these past ties, highlights his concern for an objective working environment. If board members collaborate based on familiarity rather than merit, it could severely impact their ability to achieve the organization’s goals.
TNE: Zūzena seemed to acknowledge the professionalism of the candidate selection process, yet dismissed accusations of bias. How important is transparency in these kinds of situations?
Expert: Transparency is critical in maintaining public confidence, especially in media organizations that serve the public. If the processes behind selections appear shrouded in shadows or if there’s a perception of favoritism, it undermines credibility not just for the board members but for the media they represent. Zūzena must address these concerns head-on to avoid further skepticism about the motives behind the chosen candidates.
TNE: Given the unfolding drama, what are the potential implications if SEPLP proceeds with Vekteris’s nomination despite the controversies?
Expert: If SEPLP goes forward with his nomination, they risk further divisiveness within the board and potentially damaging public perception. It may also deter capable candidates from seeking positions within the organization, fearing similar entanglements. A contentious board may struggle with its responsibilities, making it difficult to advocate for a robust media landscape, which is essential for democratic discourse.
TNE: It sounds like we could be on the verge of significant changes within SEPLP. What would you advise them to do moving forward?
Expert: They need to take a step back and evaluate their current situation critically. If Vekteris is genuinely interested, they should ensure that a thorough and transparent process surrounds his nomination – possibly reconsidering the entire competition if needed. It’s essential to rebuild trust among board members and the communities they serve. An open dialogue with all stakeholders can pave the way toward a more resilient and credible leadership structure.
TNE: Thank you, [Expert’s Name], for providing your insights today. It’s clear that the situation at SEPLP is complex, and the decisions made in the coming days will have lasting ramifications for Latvian media governance.
Expert: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds, as it will undoubtedly shape the future of media in Latvia.