Latvia revokes broadcast license of Russia's TV Rain

RIGA. Dec 6 (Interfax/BNS) - Latvia's National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has decided to revoke the broadcast license of Russia's television channel TV Rain (designated as a foreign agent in Russia), BNS said on Tuesday with reference to NEPLP head Ivar Abolins.

Abolins explained the decision to revoke the license with a threat to national security and public peace and a number of recent violations, including the absence of an audio track in the state language in broadcasts, Crimea's depiction on the map as a Russian territory, the fact that a presenter called the Russian army "our army," and some others.

The information received from the Latvian Security Service, the content of which is not disclosed by Abolins, has also been taken into account.

"Having assessed the combination of violations, NEPLP arrived at the conclusion that the TV Rain channel's administration does not realize the significance and seriousness of violations and cannot operate in the Latvian territory for that reason," Abolins said.

The decision will take effect in the early hours of December 8, when TV Rain must stop broadcasting in the Latvian territory.

Considering that TV Rain broadcasts its programs not just on television but also on the YouTube video hosting service, NEPLP asks for geo-blocking of TV Rain content on YouTube so that it cannot be accessed in Latvia.

It is possible to appeal the NEPLP decision.

Earlier, TV Rain appealed the NEPLP decision to fine it over the absence of an audio track in the state language.