FOI-R--3990--SE_reducerad

FOI-R--3990--SE
Integration Process in Latvia (2007), 267 and a study by the Advanced Social and
Political Research Institute (ASPRI), 268 Manufacturing Enemy Images Russian
Media Portrayals of Latvia (2008), 269 show empirically how Russia implemented
this means of strategic communication. The CEEPS study highlights how in the
period 2004–2006, news programmes on Russia’s television channels focused on
a small number of topics about Latvia: education reform, the occupation, an
interpretation of the results of the Second World War, a “revival of fascism in
Latvia” and the alleged discrimination against Russian compatriots living in
Latvia. 270 The ASPRI study indicates that in stories broadcast about Russianspeakers
in Latvia, the Russian media also projected a certain image of Russia.
Russia was depicted as an influential country that can resolve the problems of its
compatriots. 271
Russia’s official view of history is somewhat “securitized”, that is, related to
current security policy issues. This is demonstrated in Russia’s National Security
Strategy to 2020. Its section on culture contains the statement that “Negative
influences on the state of national security in the cultural sphere are intensified
by attempts to revise perspectives on Russia’s history, its role and place in world
history”. 272 As a solution, the strategy offers cooperation between the security
services and civil society and the “development of a unified humanitarian and
information area in the territory of the CIS and neighbouring regions”. 273 The
Baltic states are part of such a region, where a common information environment
with Russia is seen as possible.
In March 2012, in response to Russia’s initiatives to explain the “correct history
of Latvia”, Latvia’s Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkevics, had to declare two
Russian historians, Alexander Dyukov and Vladimir Simindei, undesirable
persons (persona non grata) in Latvia and include them on the list of persons to
whom entry to Latvia was prohibited. Dyukov and Simindei were linked to the
distribution of propaganda and biased writing about Latvian history that, among
other things, sought to justify Soviet repression of the civilian population.
According to Uldis Neiburgs, a researcher at the Occupation Museum of Latvia,
267 See Lerhis A., Indans I., Kudors A., (2008): Outside Influence on the Ethnic Integration Process in
Latvia, (2 nd edn), Riga: CEEPS.
268 See “About ASPRI”, http://szf.lu.lv/eng/petnieciba/spp-instituts/.
269
See Muiznieks N. (2008): Manufacturing Enemy Images Russian Media Portrayal of Latvia, Riga,
LU ASPRI.
270
Lerhis A., Indans I., Kudors A., (2008): op. cit.
271 Petrenko D. (2008): “How Does the Russian Community Live in Latvia”, in Manufacturing Enemy
Images Russian Media Portrayal of Latvia. Riga: Academic Press of the University of Latvia, p.
77.
272 See Russia's National Security Strategy to 2020, http://www.scrf.gov.ru/documents/99.html.
273 Ibid.
93