Court overturns fine imposed on Latvian Television regarding the broadcast about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines

On 8 January 2024, the Riga Regional Court decided to annul the fine imposed on Latvian Television (LTV) by the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) for a story on the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines in the programme Aizliegtais paņēmiens.

In the case, the court assessed the fine imposed by NEPLP in 2021, based on the authority’s consideration that the particular LTV broadcast did not respect the principles of accuracy and neutrality required by the law. After examining the case file, the court found that the information provided in the programme was as accurate and neutral as possible at the time of transmission and found no intentional violation of the obligation of due accuracy and neutrality in the programme.

The judgement is not subject to appeal and enters into force on the day it is delivered.

LTV was represented in court by COBALT Managing Partner Lauris Liepa and Associate Gabriela Šantare.