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On 23 March 2026, in Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with Jan Braathu, the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). During the talks, it was reaffirmed that media freedom and the safety of journalists are cornerstones of a democratic state. Baiba Braže noted that Latvia is currently focusing particular attention on promoting media literacy among the general public and combating disinformation.
OSCE Representative Jan Braathu participated in the conference “The Role of Media in the National Security System”.
The conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and the Minister of Culture, Agnese Lāce, who emphasised the importance of the media in strengthening the resilience of a democratic state and public trust. In her address to participants, the Foreign Minister noted that democracy is based on freedom of speech and that the media must be able to operate in a safe and secure environment in order to fulfil its role effectively and strengthen the democratic state system. In the current geopolitical situation, information serves as both a protective shield and a weapon that can also be used against us. A free and independent media is an essential component of democracy – it helps citizens make informed decisions, hold governments accountable, and expose manipulation. At the same time, the openness of a democratic society can be used against us – by attacking our unity, our institutions, and even the very concept of truth.
The Minister noted that Latvia has seen and drawn lessons from the experiences of Ukraine and Moldova. Latvia has faced prolonged disinformation campaigns aimed at weakening our sovereignty and the strength of our alliances. Within the OSCE Security Committee, Latvia supports discussions on disinformation as a security threat, and there is no contradiction between freedom and resilience. Latvia’s response to the challenge of information manipulation begins with an unwavering commitment to defending freedom of speech, media freedom, and the safety of journalists.
At the conclusion of the conference, the State Police, the Latvian Association of Journalists, the Latvian Regional Media Association, and Media Hub Riga signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening professional collaboration, promoting the exchange of information, and developing a sustainable model of cooperation on national security issues.
The conference, organised by Media Hub Riga on 23 March at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together media professionals, representatives of security institutions, academic experts, and international partners.
