Latvian Media Ethics Council invites to attend the closing event of Media Ethics Month – “Challenges of Infodemic. Can and Should We Fight It?”
To conclude Media Ethics Month, dedicated to the topic of wellbeing of the media industry in times of infomedic, an online broadcast – “Challenges of Infodemic. Can and Should We Fight It?” - curated by Latvian Media Ethics Council is set to happen on 23rd of July, from 10 to 13. The event will bring together various industry experts and will act as a closing event of Media Ethics Month, by continuing to analyse issues of the media industry, especially the ones which are relevant in the times of pandemic. Participation in this event is free of charge, and it will be possible to view it online on the event section of Latvian Media Ethics Council Facebook page, as well as on the biggest media sites in Latvia.
“At the opening event of Media Ethics Month, we got acquainted with the issues of infodemic, viewing the responsibility of both media and audience, however at the closing event, by continuing to look at the challenges of working in media, we will also consider the international experience in context with the current situation in Latvia. The online event is especially relevant for owners of the media sites, journalists, researchers, NGO’s and representatives of the governments as well as students and future professionals” – director of the board of Latvian Media Ethics Council J. Lielpēteris.
At the event of “Latvian Media Ethics Council” it is expected that audience will receive opening address from the President of Latvian Republic – Egils Levits, the Minister of Culture of Latvian Republic – Nauris Puntulis, as well as from the director of the board of Latvian Media Ethics Council – J. Lielpēteris. The first part of the event will consist of presentations of research about the challenges in media industry in a middle of pandemic, as well as of the international experience in the context of Latvia from well-established experts such as – associated professor, the dean of faculty of Communication, the director of the bachelor programme “Journalism” at Riga Stradins University, and media researcher Anda Rožukalne together with the head editor of Latvian Radio news department, journalist, media professor and researcher Kārlis Daigals. However, in the second part of the event, we will try to find the answer to the question - “Is there a vaccine for infodemic and is it pivotal for the wellbeing of the media and audiences?”, whilst answering the question of whether the society and media have to find a solution for the current situation or adapt to the new normal and let it run its course.
For the first time, Media Ethics Month has attracted the interest of both - international enthusiasts of ethics of the media as well as followers of the environment of Latvian media from abroad. For this reason, Latvian Media Ethics Council has made it possible to listen to this event also in English. We invite every enthusiast to watch the broadcast and follow upcoming events on our Facebook page!
The schedule of the closing event of Media Ethics Month “Challenges of Infodemic. Can and Should We Fight It?”:
10.00 - 10.15 Opening of the event and the introductory address from the event host Mārtiņš Daugulis and the speech from the director of the board of Latvian Media Ethics Council J. Lielpēteris;
10.15 - 10.50 Presentation of A. Rožukalne’s research – “The Challenges and Solutions of Media Industry in a Pandemic”
10.50 - 11.25 Presentation of K. Dagils research “Media Industry in a Pandemic: International Experience in the Context of Latvia”;
11.40 - 12.50 Discussion “Is there a vaccine for infodemic and is it pivotal for the wellbeing of the media and audiences?”. Participants: head editor of magazine “Klubs” Aivars Pastalnieks, Solvita Denisa-Liepniece, the dean of Vidzemes University and the researcher of social, economic and liberal arts research institute HESPI and media expert, Gunta Līdaka as well as the director of media agency LETA Juris Mendziņš.
12.50 - 13.00 Conclusion
The annual report, opinion of the Auditor and the elected Ethics Council were approved at the meeting of the members of the Latvian Media Ethics Council
On March 24, the general meeting of the members of the Association "Latvian Media Ethics Council" took place, where the annual report of the second year of operation of the Association and the auditor's opinion were unanimously approved, as well as the Ethics Council of the Association was elected. At the start of the third year of the Ethics Council, two new members have joined – Andris Saulītis (nominated by SLtd “Latvijas Televīzija”) and Aivars Pastalnieks (nominated by Ltd “ŽURNĀLS SANTA”). In addition to the newly elected members, Guntars Līcis (nominated by JSC “Latvijas Mediji”), Skaidrīte Lasmane (nominated by Latvian Journalist Association), Daiga Sproģe (nominated by JSC “DELFI”), Aleksandrs Mirlins (nominated by Latvian Press Publishers Association), Anda Rožukalne (nominated by Ltd “Novadu ziņas”), Andris Ķēniņš (nominated by the Latvian Broadcasting Association) and Baiba Liepiņa (nominated by Latvian Advertising Association) will continue to serve on the Ethics Council.
For the first time in the history of the Association, the composition of the Ethics Council has changed - seven candidates were nominated for five vacancies and two new members were elected. Before two recently elected members, Dita Deruma and Anna Peipina have served for the Ethics Council for two years, therefore the Association thanks both professionals for their contribution. The newly elected Ethics Council will continue to monitor the implementation of the principles and norms of the Association's Code of Ethics, review complaints about ethical violations of media, as well as assess possible violations of freedom of expression. The Statutes of Association also provide for the right of the Ethics Council to express an opinion on other issues of the field related to the threat to the media environment, editorial autonomy and media independence. The Ethics Council of the Association met for the first inaugural meeting of the third year of operation in April.
In two years, the Latvian Media Ethics Council has successfully implemented its goal - not only promoted the development of ethical media practice and self-regulation in the Latvian media space, but also within the framework of a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Latvia conducted several studies on the situation of the media industry in Latvia and organized a number of educational events. During the two years of operation, the Association's Ethics Council has issued 32 opinions on the received complaints (including those still in the process), of which in 13 a violation of a clause of the Code of Ethics was found. Most frequently, the Ethics Council has received complaints about privacy violations, and lately, in large part of complaints, there are closely intertwined aspects of media ethics and legal violations.
Since the establishment of the Latvian Media Ethics Council in December 2018, the number of its members has doubled - currently 31 members are already bound by the Association's Code of Ethics. In addition, in accordance with Article 2.4 of the Code of Ethics, it is binding not only not only on the members of the Latvian Media Ethics Council, but also on persons who have confirmed their membership in written form. Till now 10 organizations have joined the Code of Ethics, as well as one associate member. This means that by combining the total number of members with companies that have joined the Association's Code of Ethics and their associated organizations, the Code of Ethics is binding on approximately 80 legal entities. This is a significant achievement that will help ensure ethical media practice in Latvia.
Taking into account epidemiological constraints on gathering and the increased compliance with security measures, the general meeting of members took place via online means of communication. Also during the announced state of emergency in Latvia, the “Latvian Media Ethics Council” actively continues to implement its work remotely, as issues of media ethics and accuracy of information do not lose their relevance also in these times.
Information regarding the work of the Latvian Media Ethics Council has been prepared with financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia within the framework of the participation agreement on the task of the State administration - strengthening the critical thinking of the public in relation to the content of the media and promoting media responsibility.
The annual report of the Association, the opinion of the Auditor and the elected Ethics Council approved at the meeting of the members of the Latvian Media Ethics Council
On March 25, the first remote general meeting of members of the association “Latvian Media Ethics Council” took place. At the time the Association’s first annual report and the opinion of the auditor were unanimously approved and the Ethics Council of the Association was re-elected in a stable composition. The Ethics Board will continue to be composed of Guntars Līcis (nominated by JSC “Latvijas Mediji”), Skaidrīte Lasmane (nominated by the Latvian Association of Journalists), Daiga Sproģe (nominated by JSC "DELFI"), Aleksandrs Mirlins (nominated by Latvian Press Publishers Association), Anda Rožukalne (nominated by Ltd "Novadu ziņas”), Andris Ķēniņš (nominated by the Latvian Broadcasting Association), Baiba Liepiņa (nominated by the Latvian Advertising Association), Dita Deruma (nominated by Ltd "TV NET") un Anna Peipiņa (nominated by Ltd "ŽURNĀLS SANTA").
Ethics Council of the Association elected in a stable composition will continue to monitor the implementation of the principles and norms of the Ethics Code of the Association, review complaints about ethical violations in the functioning of the media, and assess potential breaches of freedom of expression. The Association Statute also provides for the right of the Ethics Board to express its views on other sectoral issues related to risks to the media environment, editorial autonomy and media independence. The Ethics Council of the Association will meet for the first inaugural meeting in March this year.
In the light of the state of emergency and increased compliance with security measures, for the first time, the general meeting of members took place via online means of communication. Although several of the activities of the Association scheduled for April and May have been cancelled in the framework of the first month of Latvian media ethics, including the media forum “Badināt nedrīkst barot” scheduled for April 3, the Latvian Media ethics Council actively continues to work remotely, because the issues of the ethics of the media and the accuracy of information do not lose the spotlight during the spread of the infectious disease.
The purpose of the Association “Latvian Media Ethics Council” is to promote the development of ethical media practice and promote self-regulation of the media in the Latvian media room. Members represent all forms and genres media, media associations and organisations active in media research. Twenty-five members - Latvian Broadcasting Association, Latvian Press Publishers Association, Latvian Association of Journalists, Latvian Advertising Association, LETA, JSC “Other Medijs”, Ltd “Novadu ziņas”, JSC “Latvijas Mediji”, JSC “DELFI”, SJSC “Latvijas Televīzija”, SJSC “Latvijas Radio”, Ltd “Firma Zemgale”, Ltd “Žurnāls Santa”, Ltd “Cēsu Druva”, Ltd “Reģionu Medijii”, SJSC “Latvijas Vēstnesis”, Ltd “Stockholm School of Economics in Riga”, Ltd “TV NET”, Ltd “All Media Latvia”, Ltd “BAUSKA DZĪVE”, Ltd “Staburags”, Ltd “JAUNAIS KURZEMNIEKS”, Ltd “VALMIERAS TV” and Ltd “VIDZEMES TELEVĪZIJA”.
In order to promote the development of ethical media practice and self-regulation of the media, the Association calls on the media, their organisations, and professional organisations and industry professionals to become members of the Latvian Media Ethics Council. Any legal person or partnership whose principal activity is in the field of media or actively supports the actions of the Association and is interested in the success of it, can become a member. As an associate member, any person who has the capacity and rights to act and agrees with the Statute of the Association may become a member of the Association. More information on participation can be obtained on the website of the Association at www.lmepadome.lv.
Information regarding the work of the Latvian Media Ethics Council has been prepared with financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia within the framework of the participation agreement on the task of the State administration - strengthening the critical thinking of the public in relation to the content of the media and promoting media responsibility.