The problem, however, is that the concept of “society”, and even more so the “public interest” derived from it, is to some extent a fiction or, to put it more politely in the jargon of social sciences, a construct.

Of course, this has also been the case in the past, yet it has become particularly pronounced in recent years – different opinion groups are increasingly insistent in claiming to represent the “public” view, which, in my opinion, has made the atmosphere more nervous. And the new council will have to take this into account.

To use a slightly irreverent example – if half of society is against vaccination or questions the existence of Covid-19 altogether, then in principle Latvijas Televīzija and Latvijas Radio should proportionally reflect such a position as well, regardless of what the other side has to say about it (needless to say, the mentioned split is approximate).

A public service medium, if it maintains – and what else is it to do – the myth that a “society” exists, cannot ignore the “wrong side” by claiming that this part of society is unaware of the fallacious nature of its views and interests.

If we are to be consistent, only the individual themselves can define what is in their interest, and no one has the right to correct them here, even with the best of intentions.