Latvia

The security situation of journalists in Latvia reflects broader trends observed across Europe. While incidents such as killings or imprisonments of journalists are not characteristic of the Latvian context, and physical safety is generally not at risk, concerns remain. Since the restoration of independence in 1991, there has been only one recorded case of a journalist's murder, and physical assaults against media professionals are rare. Latvia’s relatively high digital security rating in the Global Index on Journalists’ Safety is attributable to the limited number of publicly reported cases involving spyware infiltration or digital device hacking. However, psychological safety indicators, though moderately high in the Index, diverge from findings in recent qualitative research (Rožukalne, Skulte, & Stakle, 2025). This study reveals that sustained online harassment significantly undermines journalists' sense of security and fosters a growing culture of self-censorship. Latvian media professionals identify persistent problems such as public discrediting of journalistic work, direct threats (both online and in person, including via private emails and messaging apps), and widespread offensive or hate speech. Many journalists now regularly face anonymous threats, misuse of personal data, and targeted disinformation campaigns—threats that extend beyond their professional spheres and deeply affect their personal lives, resulting in chronic stress, fear, and emotional exhaustion. The growing prevalence of such harassment manifests in multiple, overlapping forms, including surveillance, stalking, non-consensual sharing of information, and threats traversing physical and digital spaces. These developments carry serious longitudinal psychological consequences. Among the most vulnerable are women, regional correspondents, freelancers, Russian-language journalists, and exiled media professionals from Belarus and Russia. Quantitative data from the Worlds of Journalism Study in Latvia (N=486, 2021) corroborate these findings (Rožukalne & Ozoliņa, 2022). One in three journalists has experienced verbal abuse, belittlement, or public discrediting. A significant proportion—78%—report exposure to humiliating or hate speech, 72% to public attacks on their professional credibility, and 14% to direct harassment. Moreover, 48% report having their morality questioned, 23% say their data were used in fabricated or manipulated stories, and 24% have faced legal actions related to their work. Alarmingly, 26% of respondents admit to practicing self-censorship as a protective measure. While 63% report receiving institutional support following such attacks, 64% express concern that perpetrators are unlikely to face consequences. Despite enjoying a relatively high degree of professional autonomy, many Latvian journalists acknowledge external pressures—both political and commercial—on editorial independence (Rožukalne & Skulte, 2024). Although stable employment is common, journalists frequently operate with limited resources (Rožukalne & Ozoliņa, 2022). While the workforce is generally well-educated (81% hold higher education degrees), journalists remain economically vulnerable: 52% of WJS respondents earn below the national average, aligning with the Global Index’s lowest-rated dimension—economic security.