The panel also discussed how the Nordic Region could help to improve the ability for Russian speakers, both in Russia and the surrounding areas, to access independent media in their own language. Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Riga Jan Widberg recently compiled a report for the ministers for Nordic co-operation outlining proposals for concrete support for Russian-language media in the Baltic countries.
"A key area is different types of courses and skill-enhancing activities relating to both digital tools and journalism," Widberg says. We also want to try to focus on giving the public and professionals greater insight into what is known as 'media literacy', which in practice means a critical approach to media content and news sources in the digital media landscape. But we also suggest small-scale financial support to individual media outlets in the Baltic countries," Widberg explains.
"The Russian propaganda machine is extremely well organised and has huge resources. Even Russian speakers in the Baltic countries read what it produces, in various forms, and in all types of programmes and media. No one can compete with it on these terms – you have to find alternative channels," he adds.
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