The leadership team behind Dozhd TV is pursuing a legal challenge to a Latvian regulator’s decision that restricts the channel’s ability to broadcast in Latvia. The move aims to preserve access to Latvian audiences and maintain the network’s presence in the Baltic region amid ongoing regulatory pressures. The management frames the appeal as a necessary step to ensure uninterrupted reporting for Latvian viewers and to prompt a broader discussion about media freedom and national security considerations in the area.
Dozhd’s editor in chief has indicated that the Latvian regulator’s ruling will be contested, with the intention of providing further explanations as the case progresses to clarify the grounds for the appeal and present the channel’s position on the action. The statement underscores the network’s commitment to staying within legal boundaries and defending editorial independence as a means to offer diverse perspectives to audiences in Latvia.
On January 4, Latvia’s National Media Council conveyed that there has not been an official indication of a forthcoming revival or restoration of Dozhd’s broadcasting license. The position signals continued regulatory ambiguity and leaves room for potential developments as the matter moves through administrative and judicial channels. Observers note that the council’s stance reflects a cautious approach to licensing amid ongoing debates over media responsibility, public order, and national security within the country.
Previously, Latvia’s National Electronic Media Council canceled Dozhd’s broadcasting license in December 2022, with the council chair explaining that the decision responded to perceived threats to national security and public order. The episode followed prior actions by Latvia’s security framework, including sanctions against a Dozhd reporter after remarks concerning assistance to the Russian military. The sequence illustrates how licensing and personnel controls have been linked to broader national security concerns, even as media organizations seek remedies through administrative and legal channels.