A year ago, Latvian farmers experienced what their colleagues in Western Europe had faced a couple of years earlier – accusations against the sector went so far that lies and disinformation were spread in a radio advertisement paid for by the state budget, labelling farmers as mass murderers.

What did this type of bullying mean for farmers' families and children?

At the moment when the false and offensive messages were broadcast on the radio, farmers' and forest owners' organisations united, stressing that the campaign of lies carried out against farmers threatens our countryside, families, and the Latvian economy. Farmers invited people to publish photographs or videos to share their feelings about what was happening.

Videos and photos with the hashtags #NēZemniekuApmelošanai (NoToSlanderingFarmers) and #NēNaidaRunai (NoToHateSpeech) can still be viewed on "Facebook" and "Twitter". (...)