Latvia shuts down Russian ‘propaganda’ website Sputnik

Latvian authorities decided on 29 March 2016 to shut down the local website of Russia's foreign news channel Sputnik, calling the state media outlet a 'propaganda tool' and questioning the credibility of its reporting on the Ukraine conflict.

Russia’s foreign ministry called the decision 'blatant censorship' and said 'the Russian mass media adheres to the highest standards of professionalism and ethnics'.

On the following day, Sputnik announced it had launched a new version of its Latvian website under the dotcom domain.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Russia: manipulation of information and the EU’s response http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-manipulation-of-information-and-the-eus-response/

LSM.lv, 29.03.16: Latvia shuts down Sputnik propaganda website http://www.lsm.lv/en/article/societ/society/latvia-shuts-down-sputnik-propaganda-website.a175627/

RT, 29.03.16: Russia’s Sputnik news agency blocked in Latvia over allegations it 'threatens Ukraine' https://www.rt.com/news/337662-sputnik-website-latvia-blocked/

Sputnik International, 30.03.16: Sputnik Returns to Latvia by Adopting Dotcom Domain http://sptnkne.ws/aVWC

Sputnik International, 30.03.16: Rossiya Segodnya Head: Sputnik Ban in Latvia 'Panic Beyond Legal Field' http://sptnkne.ws/aVUq

Politico, 30.03.16: Russia accuses Latvia of ‘blatant censorship’ after Sputnik news site is shut down http://www.politico.eu/blogs/spence-on-media/2016/03/russia-accuses-latvia-of-blatant-censorship-after-sputnik-news-site-is-shut-down/

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