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On 26 June, Latvia handed over the instrument of ratification of the Convention on Transfrontier Television, which establishes a legal framework, with minimum common rules, for the free circulation of transfrontier television programmes in Europe. From 1 October 1998 on, the Convention will apply in Latvia and require to ensure freedom of reception and retransmission of transfrontier programmes, which comply with the rules concerning advertising, sponsorship, the protection of certain individual rights, and the dissemination of European audio-visual works laid out in the Convention. The Convention...

On 28 November 1997 Latvia signed the European Convention on Transfrontier Television. When this issue closed, Spain was expected to deposit its instrument of ratification on 19 February 1998. Article 29, paragraph 4 of the Convention stipulates that it shall enter into force in the country concerned on the first day of the month following expiry of a period of three months after the date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval. The Convention should therefore come into force in Spain on 1 June 1998.

As already reported in IRIS 1995-9:13, a new Act on the electronic mass media has come into force. The text of the act, adopted on 8 September 1995, is now available. The Act begins with a general section containing definitions and basic provisions. Within the meaning of the act, electronic mass media include, in particular, radio, television, cable radio, cable television, satellite television and computer television. Within the meaning of the act broadcasting is defined as the development and dissemination of programmes intended for reception by the general public. Objectivity and neutrality...

In IRIS 1995-7:5, we reported that Parliament had rejected the Latvian Radio and Television Act and referred it back to the committee. The Act has now been passed on a second attempt and has come into force. Further legislation is being discussed. A Freedom of Information Act is, for example, in the pipeline. This makes it possible to classify information as "public", "confidential" or a "state secret", and specifies the empowering state authorities. It expressly states that the classification of information as confidential may not be misused to conceal misconduct by an individual or the state....

For the time being, attempts to pass new legislation on radio and television have been unsuccessful. In the decisive debate on 15 June the Parliament ultimately rejected the second reading of the bill. The text is now to be revised by the appropriate committee.