September 9, 2020 - Today, the Ministry of Environment and Regional Development discussed local government press spending in the Saeima's State Administration and Local Government Commission, encouraging the establishment of a uniform format and visual presentation of municipal expenditure. . Ministry directs proposals so that local governments' informative expenditure meets their intended objective: to inform regarding decisions taken by local governments and binding rules m.
Informational costs of municipalities whose duty on taxpayers' money would be to inform the public about the work of the local government, decisions taken and binding rules are often used to polish the image of politicians, they do not provide objective information, distort the diversity of principles of freedom of the press and expressing opinions. The provision of objective information to the public, particularly during the pre-election period, is particularly important.
Municipalities spend significant financial resources on issuing such expenditure, often simulating the work of newspapers and journalists. Ministry of Environment and Regional Development call for a clear distinction between journalism and public relations s. Similarly, quality journalism in regions should be strengthened, providing citizens with objective information that can only be provided by independent media. The proposal provides for the establishment of a uniform format and presentation of municipal expenditure. Similarly, and following a common approach, structured information in all municipal areas will ensure the objective and comprehensible availability of information throughout society. This would also be accompanied by an economic benefit: preparing information in a uniform format would save financial resources for society as a whole.
A similar approach is already being implemented by the State in the framework of the project of the joint platform of websites for national and local authorities, thereby ensuring a common approach to the provision of information in the Internet environment. It shall ensure efficient use of resources in the management of these websites.
On the other hand, a similar framework for municipal information expenditure works successfully in the Czech Republic. It lays down the conditions for issuing information expenditure, namely the types and form of information to be included.
Last year, municipalities directed by the proposal have been prevented from operating in the media market.
The Ministry is currently undertaking active work on the development of a new Law on Local Governments, and it also includes a legal framework for informational expenditure for municipalities. . The ministry must submit the bill to the government by the end of October.
Information:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305; 67026533,
email: prese@varam.gov.lv