The head of the LTV trade union stated that Vekteris has experience in media work, professionally he would be a suitable candidate for the position of board member in matters of technology management.
“The concern is about how he will be able to distance himself from his long-term work in the commercial media,” said Cāne-Ķile, noting that these concerns are more addressed to the Council of Public Electronic Media (SEPLP) and that they must carefully monitor that in no way the interests of the public media would not be compromised.
Cāne-Ķīle assessed the potential LSM board member.
It has already been reported that Vekteris met with representatives of LTV on Monday.
Earlier, the head of the Latvian Radio union Edgars Kupčs informed the LETA agency that the union would support Vekter’s promotion to the position.
Kupčs stated that the radio union, after consulting with the representatives of the collective, who are experts in technology sectors, decided not to oppose Vekter’s promotion to the position of LSM board member, both taking into account his experience in the field of media and relying on the competence of SEPLP.
The SEPLP meeting on the election of all LSM board members will be held on November 13.
Baiba Zūzena, the long-time manager of TV3, is promoted to the position of the 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.
The fifth initial applicant for the position of board member in matters of technology management, Ivars Schulcs, withdrew his candidacy. Accordingly, SEPLP decided to nominate the other highly rated candidate – the executive director of the Association of Latvian Broadcasters, Vekteri – as a member of the board.
Šulcs said in the “Krustpunkt” program of Latvijas Radio that he was unpleasantly surprised by the intrigues surrounding the position and had unofficially heard that the other candidate who made it to the final round of the competition is an old business partner of potential LSM board chairperson Zūzenas, which is why he wants to work with a familiar person with whom she has collaborated in many business projects.
Meanwhile, Suzen stated that it is difficult for her to 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 be approved by the board and will work with such a board.
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 on Vekteris’s Nomination
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with an esteemed media expert who brings invaluable insights into the ongoing developments at the Latvian Public Electronic Media Council regarding the nomination of Vekteris as a board member in technology management. Thank you for joining us!
Media Expert (ME): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Vekteris has a background in commercial media, which has raised some eyebrows. What are your thoughts on how this experience might benefit his role at the LSM?
ME: Vekteris’s experience in commercial media could indeed bring a wealth of knowledge in understanding audience engagement and the technological innovations impacting media today. However, the concern expressed by Cāne-Ķile about his ability to separate commercial interests from public media is valid. It’s essential that he approaches this role with a clear commitment to public service.
TNE: Absolutely. Cāne-Ķile mentioned that the SEPLP needs to ensure public media interests are safeguarded. Given your experience, what measures or oversight do you think could be implemented to facilitate this?
ME: One effective strategy could be establishing a formal framework for conflicts of interest that requires transparency from board members about their prior associations. Regular reviews and consultations with media unions, like the LTV and Latvian Radio unions, can help ensure that the board’s decisions remain aligned with public service values.
TNE: It was mentioned that both the LTV and Latvian Radio unions support Vekteris’s promotion. How does this collaborative support impact the perception of his candidacy?
ME: The support from these unions is significant and indicates a level of trust in his capabilities. It shows that they believe he possesses the qualifications necessary, especially in technology management. However, their ongoing vigilance will be crucial in maintaining confidence as he transitions from a commercial to a public service role.
TNE: Speaking of trust, Vekteris met with LTV representatives prior to this nomination. What kind of discussions do you think took place, and why are they important?
ME: Those discussions were likely crucial for establishing rapport and understanding the specific challenges faced by public media. They would have given Vekteris insights into the expectations of stakeholders and the necessary steps to bridge any gaps between commercial strategies and public service objectives.
TNE: With the SEPLP meeting on November 13 to finalize board member nominations, what should we be looking for in terms of potential outcomes?
ME: It will be interesting to see how the SEPLP addresses both the qualifications of Vekteris and the concerns others have raised. His nomination could signify a shift in how technology management is approached at LSM, potentially embracing more innovative solutions to enhance public media. However, the integration of a diverse board with varying perspectives will be key to a balanced approach.
TNE: Before we wrap up, what do you see as the biggest challenge facing Vekteris if he is appointed?
ME: The biggest challenge will be demonstrating his commitment to the public media ethos while leveraging his commercial media experience. He must ensure that his strategies benefit the public rather than commercial interests and that he engages with all stakeholders to foster trust and transparency throughout his tenure.
TNE: Thank you for your insights! It’s clear that Vekteris’s nomination could bring significant changes to the landscape of public media in Latvia, and we’ll be watching closely as the situation develops. Thank you for joining us today!
ME: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing this important topic.