National Focal Point

Ms Anastasija TETARENKO-SUPE, Member of the Board of the Latvian Association of Journalists 

National Campaign Committee

In April 2024, Latvia established a multi-stakeholder campaign committee (working group) under the Ministry of Culture to address safety challenges faced by journalists and other media professionals.

The committee brought together 34 representatives from state institutions, media councils, professional associations and unions, investigative journalism and media excellence centres, academic experts, as well as representatives of Latvian Television, Latvian Radio and the public electronic mass media ombudsman.

During its work, the committee held nine meetings, including thematic sessions focused on key risks affecting journalists’ safety. Members analysed research on threats faced by journalists in Latvia and across Europe and identified priority issues such as protection from violence and threats, digital safety, cooperation with law-enforcement authorities, and the need to strengthen legal and institutional safeguards.

The committee also served as a platform for dialogue and coordination among stakeholders involved in improving the safety environment for media professionals, taking into account relevant recommendations of the Council of Europe, the European Commission and EU media policy developments.

The committee’s work contributed to the development of Latvia’s Action Plan for the Implementation of the Media Policy Guidelines 2025–2027, adopted by the government to strengthen journalist safety and media freedom.