How A Latvian Magazine Fought Oligarchic Corruption

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the three Baltic states — Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia — regained their independence and joined the European Union. Of all former Soviet republics, they have made the cleanest break from their communist past. But there is one post-Soviet challenge they share with countries like Ukraine: fighting corruption.

Ten years ago, three oligarchs exercised an outsized influence on Latvian politics. They held political office and used their connections to advance their business interests.

Then, a failed anti-corruption investigation, followed by a magazine report on their backroom political and business machinations, helped to bring their corruption to public attention.

Pauls Raudseps — editor of IR Magazine, which uncovered the oligarchs’ illicit business activities — spoke with Hromadske on the sidelines of last weekend’s Riga Conference about Latvia’s experience fighting oligarchic corruption.

Latvia’s anti-corruption path has not been entirely smooth. But its experiences show how the proper institutions staffed by dedicated professionals can allow a country to take action against graft, Raudseps says. And IR Magazine’s reporting demonstrates how investigative journalism can help open the public’s eyes to important societal issues.

This video was originally published on October 3rd, 2017.

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Видео How A Latvian Magazine Fought Oligarchic Corruption канала Hromadske International