Latvia: Different journalistic cultures and different accountability within one media system

At present, three different journalistic cultures compete for the domination within the Latvian national media system. The state of media accountability is different in each of these cultures. First, there is the traditional Russian journalistic culture, which is characteristic for the minority of the Latvian media, i.e. the part of the media that is produced for the Russian-language minority. Second, from the point of view of an economic theory of journalism, the instrumental and authoritarian (Post-soviet) journalistic culture can be seen. Third, a modern (Western) journalistic culture, orientated towards high journalistic professional standards, editorial autonomy from the publisher and owner, and practicing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is emerging. The professional associations are divided along the lines of the corresponding journalistic culture. Professional education, media criticism and quality management within editorial staffs seem to be measures for broader, nation-wide impact. Well-managed public-service media organizations need to be role models in this respect.