The National Electronic Mass Media Council of Latvia (NEPLP) has decided to block ten more websites that spread Russian propaganda. This was reported by the Latvian public broadcaster LSM.

The content of these sites contradicts Latvia’s national security interests, as they justify Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, glorify the occupation, and provide informational support to the aggressor.

Since 2022, Latvia has been actively blocking such sites, and to date, their total number has reached 413.

Council member Ieva Kalderausska noted that the largest number of sites were blocked in the first year of the full-scale war – at that time, 169 resources were shut down. Last year, another 137 were blocked, and as of July this year, 88.

“The information on these sites varies. Mostly, these are articles – text materials that supposedly explain what is happening but actually justify the war. There are also sites that post calls to enlist in the army and go fight in Ukraine.”

– Ieva Kalderausska

The council believes these measures are truly effective. According to their estimates, if access to these resources were not restricted, between 40,000 and 68,000 people could view such information monthly. The number of attempts to access blocked sites reaches half a million per month, with many users trying multiple times.

NEPLP monitors such resources through various channels, including complaints from local residents, signals from government agencies, and its own monitoring efforts.

“We look at exactly what is published on the site – what news, in what volume, and how the information is presented. If after analysis our assessments are confirmed by law enforcement agencies, then we make the final decision. Yes, it is a complex procedure – all our decisions must be legally justified because any of the blocked sites can file a complaint.”

– Ieva Kalderausska

Recall that on July 15, Latvia officially stopped recognizing old five-year foreign passports of Russian citizens without biometric data. According to the new rules, holders of such documents will be denied entry to Latvia, even if they have a valid Schengen visa.

Additionally, Latvian authorities will no longer accept visa or residence permit applications from Russians with non-biometric passports.