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Viewing cable 07RIGA898, Decision on Putin documentary raises censorship concerns

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07RIGA898 2007-12-07 15:11 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Riga
VZCZCXRO6503
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHRA #0898 3411511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071511Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4575
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS RIGA 000898 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM LG
SUBJECT: Decision on Putin documentary raises censorship concerns 
 
1. Summary. The decision by Latvian National Television (LTV) to 
cancel the planned December 1 broadcast of a documentary "Putin's 
System," which is critical of the Russian President, has produced 
significant drama and raised questions of censorship.  LTV first 
claimed that the broadcast was cancelled due to technical problems. 
Unofficial sources immediately reported that the cancellation had 
been demanded by the Head of the National Radio and TV Council 
(NRTC) Abrams Kleckins and the Latvian MFA under pressure from the 
Russian Embassy to Latvia. Speculation about possible censorship at 
LTV and Russia's role was fueled by contradicting statements by LTV 
management a few days later claiming that the documentary was 
actually cancelled because of concern about the political reaction. 
Kleckins denies that he had asked to cancel the documentary and 
announced that he will not respond to the calls of the liberal 
media, media experts and a few members the NRTC to step down. Head 
of LTV Janis Holsteins announced that he takes responsibility and 
submitted a resignation on December 5. End summary 
 
2. A broadcast of the documentary "Putin's System" was scheduled on 
National Television channel LTV 7 on December 1, a day before the 
parliamentary elections in Russia. According to unnamed press 
sources, the Russian Embassy to Riga asked NRTC chair Abrams 
Kleckins to cancel the broadcast. It was also reported, again based 
on unnamed sources, that the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
the Prime Minister's Office were involved in cancellation of the 
broadcast on behalf of the Russian Embassy in Riga. 
 
3. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry denied that they had placed 
any pressure on LTV.   Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins stated that 
"if the broadcast was cancelled for other than technical reasons, it 
was a totally wrong decision. Press freedom is one of the 
cornerstones of democracy." However, in a December 5 TV show, MFA 
state secretary Penke admitted that he received a call from the 
Russian Ambassador and was asked to comment on the content of the 
documentary and why it was being shown. Since the Latvian MFA did 
not have any information on the program, they called LTV to learn 
more.  Penke said he exerted no pressure on LTV. The Russian Embassy 
to Riga denied that they had been involved in the matter at all. 
4. Head of NRTC Abrams Kleckins admitted that he called LTV to "talk 
about the documentary," but denied that he exerted any pressure on 
LTV. Nevertheless, he voiced his personal stance "I was kind of 
relieved when I learned that broadcast is cancelled since it would 
have been an unfriendly gesture towards Russia and would have a 
negative impact on our relations, in particular on the exchange of 
the Border Treaty ratification instruments." According to Kleckins, 
"it was good that the documentary was not aired a day before the 
elections in Russia since it would have been brainwashing [of 
Russian electorate in Latvia]." Liberal media and a number of 
experts and politicians have criticized Kleckins' statements and 
called for his resignation. However, Kleckins said he does not see 
any grounds for stepping down. 
 
5. LTV head Janis Holsteins announced his resignation on December 5. 
Holsteins made the move ahead of a scheduled meeting with MPs from a 
nationalist political party who sought explanations about why the 
documentary was cancelled. Holsteins pointed out that he takes full 
responsibility for what happened; adding that he did not foresee the 
ensuing uproar. 
 
6. President Zatlers commented on the issue by stating that the 
Constitution forbids censorship and that he will always protect the 
freedom of speech. Zatlers sent a letter to Kleckins seeking his 
explanations on the cancellation. 
7. The French documentary by directors Jean Michel Carre and Jill 
Emery goes into the controversies surrounding the rise of Putin from 
KGB officer to President.  Over the past several months the film has 
been shown in a number of countries. The documentary was rescheduled 
and broadcast on LTV on December 4. 
8. Comment. As previously reported, allegations about possible 
political censorship in LTV appear regularly. As noted by political 
expert Peteris Vinkelis the strong response to such attempts show 
that there is democracy and the freedom of speech in Latvia after 
all. In that regard, the public discussion of censorship that ensued 
from this episode is positive.  But the episode also demonstrates 
the difficulties inherent in the Latvia-Russia relationship.  Even 
if the MFA did nothing more than ask about the film in response to 
questions from the Russian Embassy, it is very easy to see in the 
Latvian context how that would be viewed as political instructions 
to pull it. 
 
Bailey