The Latvian Ombudsman, Edmunds Apsalons, has addressed a complaint concerning the January 14, 2023, episode of the 'Krustpunktā' program on 'Latvijas Radio 1'. The complaint questioned the professional standards of journalism upheld by Latvian public media, particularly regarding discussions on Russian-speaking media in Latvia. The episode in focus and an article published on the news portal lsm.lv were cited as potentially one-sided in their portrayal of the media landscape, especially given the sensitive nature of media policies affecting Russian-speaking audiences in the country.

The Ombudsman acknowledged the concerns regarding the perceived lack of diverse viewpoints in the broadcast while emphasizing that the show attempted to present a range of opinions. However, the assessment concluded that the overall presentation did not contravene any established professional journalistic standards. The complaint highlighted specific comments made by the producer of the program, which the complainant argued could have biased the discussion, yet the Ombudsman did not find sufficient grounds to substantiate claims of partiality or professional misconduct.

This decision reflects ongoing debates in Latvia regarding media representation, especially in light of the historical and cultural significance of the Russian language in the country. The ruling underscores the delicate balance required in public broadcasting when addressing minority media narratives while adhering to journalistic integrity. The Ombudsman's ruling is likely to influence future discussions about media impartiality and could impact how media outlets are held accountable for their content.