"Time to restart" Forbes Latvia

Literature says: "A word can start a conversation, a word can start a love affair and a word can start a war. A word has a strange power, it can lift you up in the air or kill your faith" (V.Strēlerte).

Human dignity is a value that is learned in the family and in educational institutions, and is the foundation of a democratic state governed by the rule of law. The characteristics of dignity could include honesty and courtesy towards one another, personal well-being and morality. Recently, the question of what is more important - human relations or, nevertheless, professionalism, ethics or objectivity - has become more and more frequent. Does a professional know how to distinguish his subjective side, or are decisions made on subjective and externally influencing factors? This is a rhetorical question that is becoming more and more relevant every day. In many things and in new times, we are left with Soviet-era views that do not fit into today's society.

If someone has a dislike for a particular professional, is that a reason to spread "rumours"? Whether knowingly or unknowingly, that is another story, but the aim to defame that person 'behind the scenes' is, in my opinion, a sign of weakness, which shows that the rumour-monger cannot do the job or work in the service because the subjective interferes with the objective. This assessment is the result of observing various events, analysing them and seeing what is going on around us.

Article 100 of the Satversme provides that "Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to freely receive, hold and impart information and to express opinions. Article 116 of the Satversme, in turn, provides that a person's rights under Article 100 of the Satversme may be restricted in cases provided for by law in order to protect the rights of others, the democratic state order, public security, public welfare or morals. The exercise of religious beliefs may also be restricted on the basis of the conditions set out in this Article. Dissemination of defamatory news means publishing it, broadcasting it on radio or TV, or communicating or announcing it in any other way, including by word of mouth, to an unspecified number of persons or to an individual person (defamation actions are admissible before a court of general jurisdiction).

During the pandemic, the members of the 13th Saeima could be said to have engaged in "parliamentary hooliganism", which often ranged from unethical behaviour to defamation. Such "verbal hooliganism", which could also be legally termed unethical misconduct, often borders on defamation in public administration. In 2021, the Riga City Pardaugava Court was preparing to hear, in a written procedure, a claim by the Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece against MP Evija Papule for defamation. The defamation was expressed during a session of the Saeima when the deputies were discussing distance learning during Covid-19. At the time, the incumbent, A. Muižniece, said: "I understand the logic of where this impact may not be. I would also like to think that it will not be on the state budget, because it is a redistribution of burdens and so on." To this statement by Muižniece, the non-factional MEP Papule reacted sharply: "Stupid, you don't understand anything! What redistribution of burdens." The process ended in a settlement on which the parties did not comment further.

There is no doubt that laws are designed to determine the behaviour of individuals, which dictates compliance with certain rules. It is reasonable to assume that the slogan "One law, one right" has long since disappeared, replaced by "One law, two rights". This assumption is based on the fact that within the framework of one law, one person prevails over another. What is allowed to one person is forbidden to the other. The requirement of an unimpeachable reputation is even enshrined in legislation. There must be objective criteria by which reputation is measured. Unfortunately, a wide interpretation of reputation opens the way to manipulation. Perhaps it is time to change something, such as salaries, so that there is no desire and temptation to break the law and influence decisions, to ensure appropriate, modern and up-to-date working conditions, through a thorough and detailed selection of employees who understand what honesty and impartiality mean. Major reform may be needed. All this can be done if there is a determination to change things for the better. It is time for a reboot.