Latvia, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

As NEPLP informed LETA, PBK had unlawfully broadcast programs produced by other electronic mass media and failed to include a sufficient amount of European audiovisual programs in its schedule. 

Meanwhile, Radio PIK has been penalized for violating election campaign rules and a failure to ensure the diversity of opinions in the programs broadcast on Radio PIK. 

For the violations found in the two broadcasters' programs NEPLP fined PBK with EUR 9,000 and Radio PIK with EUR 11,500.

From March 20 to April 2, PBK unlawfully aired news programs produced by Pirmais Kanals in breach of the Electronic Mass Media Law which does not allow broadcasting of programs made by other electronic mass media. 

From June 15 to June 28, PBK failed to include in its schedule the required amount of European audiovisual programs in breach of the Electronic Mass Media Law and the EU's  Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

Radio PIK has been punished for a failure to ensure an objective and impartial coverage of facts, as well as  diversity of opinions in its programs broadcast from March 17 to 20.

In the radio station's programs broadcast from August 17 to 27, NEPLP has found signs of hidden election campaigning, as the radio station only invited representatives of the New Harmony party to speak on its programs.