Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

Following Israeli Ambassador Hagit Ben-Yaakov's petition to the National Electronic Mass Media Council, increasingly more controversial opinions have been voiced, which is why it was decided to temporarily suspend the broadcast. Latvian State Radio, which provides bandwidth to "Radio Naba", is also involved in tackling the incident, as are various non-governmental organizations and several other embassies, writes LETA.

Whether the broadcast will be return depends on the result, that is, the decision of the Electronic Mass Media Council, said Stramdieris. The decision is still being awaited, whereas determining if the law has been violated is up to courts, he added.

"Radio Naba" heads have met with the broadcast hosts several times, concluding during these meetings that "Tevijas laikmets" has not violated the law, although several controversial issues have been raised during the broadcast, said Stramdieris.

As for the accusations that "Radio Naba" represents the positions of the broadcast, Stramdieris said, "We have 43 broadcasts", adding that such accusations were unfounded.

"Tevijas laikmets", an hour-long broadcast, was on the air every Tuesday from last fall. The hosts were Roberts Klimovics and Leonards Inkins.

The Electronic Mass Media Council yesterday decided to start an administrative case following Ben-Yaakov's petition.

Electronic Mass Media Council member Aija Calite-Dulevska said that the council would be waiting for explanations from the broadcast hosts and the station itself, and then take the final decision within one month.