On May 7, just days after World Press Freedom Day, Riga hosted a high-level conference dedicated to journalist safety — a critical issue in today’s increasingly hostile media environment. The event, organized by the Latvian Association of Journalists (LŽA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Latvia, and the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, brought together international experts, researchers, policymakers, and media professionals.

The first part of the conference focused on the unveiling of important research conducted by Rīga Stradiņš University on the state of journalist safety in Latvia. The study identified key challenges faced by journalists — from verbal abuse and harassment to hate speech and systemic threats — and offered practical recommendations for improving safety. These included suggestions for legislative reform, media self-regulation, and institutional cooperation.

Participants also heard a presentation on the latest results of the World Press Freedom Index. Pierre Dagard of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) provided insights into global and regional trends, drawing attention to Latvia's fall to 15th place, compared to Estonia’s impressive rise to 2nd. His remarks emphasized the urgent need to address disinformation, support independent journalism, and hold social media platforms accountable.

The Latvian Association of Journalists presented a summary of hate speech trends on social media and introduced the role of the Journalist Safety Contact Point — a mechanism for responding to threats and attacks against media workers.

Anastasija Tetarenko-Supe, Chair of the LŽA Board and focal point for Latvia in the Council of Europe Journalists Matter Campaign, highlighted the broader democratic implications of journalist harassment:
“Harassment, threats, and hate speech are not just personal attacks — they are assaults on freedom of expression, a pillar of democracy. Ignoring this problem could come at a very high cost,” she said.

A spirited panel discussion followed, with contributions from law enforcement, government officials, editors, and journalists. Topics included public trust in journalism, legal protections for media workers, and the journalist’s role in a polarized society.

The second half of the day focused on practical safety and psychological resilience training, led by Peter ter Velde of PersVeilig, a Dutch initiative combining efforts of the media, police, and public prosecutors to protect journalists.

His training provided attendees with tools to manage online threats, aggressive behavior, and high-risk reporting situations.

The conference concluded with a call for greater cross-sector cooperation to build a safer and freer media environment in Latvia.