Diena
Product brand
UnclaimedDiena is a Latvian-language national daily newspaper and digital news brand.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Diena is a Latvian-language national daily newspaper in Latvia, founded on 23 November 1990 during the country’s restoration of independence. The publication began as the official newspaper of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia, placing it close to the country’s institutional and political transition at the moment of its creation. It subsequently developed into one of Latvia’s largest daily periodicals and was widely regarded as a paper of record, with coverage spanning national politics, public administration, business, economics, culture, society and international affairs. The newspaper’s early institutional role changed after its privatisation in 1993. For much of the following period, Diena was owned by the Swedish media group Bonnier, linking the Latvian title to a larger Nordic publishing organization. Under that ownership, the newspaper operated as a major general-interest daily and maintained a substantial subscription base. Its circulation and subscription reach nevertheless declined over time: the cited figures show 41,471 subscribers in April 2000, 26,866 in February 2009 and 18,277 in December 2009. These figures reflect the broader pressure on print newspapers from changing reader habits, digital media and a difficult economic environment. Diena also changed its physical format. In 2007 it moved from the larger berliner format to a more compact format, an adjustment intended to make the newspaper easier to handle and more compatible with changing newspaper-market conventions. The title previously maintained a Russian-language edition, but that edition was discontinued in 1999, leaving the principal publication focused on Latvian-language journalism. Ownership became especially contentious in the late 2000s. In 2009, AS Diena and the sister business newspaper Dienas Bizness were sold to an investor group associated with Jonathan and David Rowland. The transaction was followed by substantial staff departures in October 2009. Former employees created the online publication Cita Diena, which later developed into the weekly newspaper Ir. On 6 August 2010, Latvian businessman Viesturs Koziols acquired a 51 percent stake in the joint-stock company Diena. Subsequent investigations by Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau connected the newspaper’s effective ownership to the country’s so-called oligarchs case, identifying Andris Šķēle, Aivars Lembergs and Ainārs Šlesers as the underlying owners through AS Rīgas tirdzniecības osta, also known as Riga Commercial Port. Audio recordings released publicly in 2017, known as the Rīdzene Tapes, further fueled discussion of the takeover and the political influence surrounding the newspaper. The relevant ownership vehicle ultimately sold the paper in 2015. Diena’s editorial leadership also changed frequently after long-serving chief editor Sarmīte Ēlerte left in 2008. The newspaper had a succession of editors between 2009 and 2013, including Ilmārs Znotiņš, Juris Bojārs and sociologist Aigars Freimanis. Gatis Madžiņš became chief editor on 10 May 2013. Since 2015, the newspaper has been owned by Edgars Kots, a former head of Latvijas Televīzija. Diena therefore represents both a longstanding Latvian news institution and a case study in the ownership, political-influence and economic pressures affecting post-independence Baltic media.
History
Diena was launched on 23 November 1990 as a Latvian-language newspaper connected to the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia. Its creation coincided with the restoration of Latvian independence and the formation of new national political and civic institutions. Initially functioning as an official parliamentary publication, it gradually developed into a broader national daily serving general readers. The paper was privatised in 1993 and later became owned by the Swedish media group Bonnier. During this period, Diena established itself as one of Latvia’s leading newspapers and was often treated as a paper of record. Its editorial remit included politics, government, business, economics, social affairs, culture and international news. A Russian-language edition operated for part of the newspaper’s history but was discontinued in 1999. Diena adapted its physical product in 2007 by moving from the berliner format to the compact format. The change occurred as newspapers across Europe sought to make print products more convenient and economically viable. The title also faced legal pressure over its journalism. In 2002, its publisher was fined in relation to articles printed in 1998 that criticized Economy Minister Laimonis Strujevičs. In 2007, the European Court of Human Rights found that the fine breached freedom of expression, making the episode a notable press-freedom case associated with the newspaper. The late 2000s brought a major ownership and editorial disruption. In 2009, AS Diena and the sister business daily Dienas Bizness were sold to an investor group associated with Jonathan and David Rowland. Many Diena employees resigned in October of that year and created the online publication Cita Diena, which was later transformed into the weekly newspaper Ir. The ownership structure continued to change: on 6 August 2010, Viesturs Koziols acquired a 51 percent stake in the Diena joint-stock company. The transaction became a subject of political and corruption-related scrutiny. An investigation by Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau in the so-called Oligarchs Case concluded that the newspaper was in reality controlled by Andris Šķēle, Aivars Lembergs and Ainārs Šlesers through AS Rīgas tirdzniecības osta, or Riga Commercial Port. The claim was subsequently reinforced in public debate by the release of the Rīdzene Tapes in 2017, recordings in which the oligarchs were heard discussing the takeover of the newspaper. Riga Commercial Port ultimately sold the paper in 2015. Editorial leadership was unsettled after long-serving chief editor Sarmīte Ēlerte left in 2008. Editors named in accounts of the subsequent period include Ilmārs Znotiņš, Juris Bojārs and sociologist Aigars Freimanis. Gatis Madžiņš became chief editor on 10 May 2013. Edgars Kots, a former head of Latvian public broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija, has been identified as the newspaper’s owner since 2015. Diena’s subscriber figures illustrate the commercial pressures affecting the publication. The cited total fell from 41,471 subscribers in April 2000 to 26,866 in February 2009 and 18,277 in December 2009. These numbers should be understood as historical subscription figures rather than current circulation data. Overall, Diena’s history combines the development of an influential post-Soviet Latvian newspaper with the effects of privatisation, media consolidation, declining print subscriptions, editorial turnover and controversy over political influence and ownership transparency.
- 2017
Rīdzene Tapes become public
[1]The release of recordings known as the Rīdzene Tapes adds public evidence and controversy to debate over the newspaper’s effective ownership.
- 2015
Riga Commercial Port sells the paper
[1]The ownership vehicle linked to Riga Commercial Port ultimately sells Diena; Edgars Kots is identified as owner from this period.
- 2013
Gatis Madžiņš appointed chief editor
[1]Gatis Madžiņš takes over as chief editor on 10 May after a period of frequent editorial changes.
- 2010
Koziols takes a majority stake
[1]Viesturs Koziols acquires 51 percent of the Diena joint-stock company on 6 August.
- 2009
Ownership transfer and staff departures
[1]Diena and Dienas Bizness are sold to a Rowland-associated investor group, followed by the departure of numerous Diena employees.
- 2007
Print format changes
[1]Diena shifts from the berliner newspaper format to the compact format.
- 2007
European Court of Human Rights press-freedom ruling
[1]The European Court of Human Rights finds that a fine imposed over critical articles violated freedom of expression.
- 1999
Russian edition ends
[1]The newspaper discontinues its Russian-language edition.
- 1993
Privatisation
[1]Diena is privatised and later becomes part of Swedish media group Bonnier’s ownership portfolio.
- 1990
Diena begins publication
[1]The Latvian-language daily is first published on 23 November as the official newspaper of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia.
Products and positioning
A Latvian-language national general-interest newspaper with a historical paper-of-record role and coverage of public affairs, politics, business, society and culture.
Print newspaper · 1990
Diena daily newspaper
The core Diena product is a Latvian-language national daily newspaper covering politics, public administration, business, economics, society, culture and international affairs. It began as an official publication of the Supreme Council but developed into a general-interest newspaper with a paper-of-record reputation. The printed edition moved from berliner to compact format in 2007. Historical subscriber figures show a substantial long-term decline, from 41,471 in April 2000 to 18,277 in December 2009.
Digital news service
Diena online
Diena also operates an online news presence through its official website, extending the newspaper brand into digital publishing. The online service provides the brand’s continuing news and commentary presence beyond the printed daily. Specific product launch dates, audience figures and current editorial scope are not established in the supplied reference material.
Newspaper edition
Russian-language edition
Diena previously published a Russian-language edition for readers in Latvia. The edition formed part of the newspaper’s earlier multilingual publishing activity but was discontinued in 1999.
Controversies
2017
Rīdzene Tapes and alleged political control
The public release of the Rīdzene Tapes renewed scrutiny of Diena’s ownership by providing recordings in which the Latvian oligarchs were heard discussing their takeover of the newspaper.
2011
Oligarchs Case ownership allegations
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau investigated the ownership of Diena and concluded that the paper was effectively controlled by Andris Šķēle, Aivars Lembergs and Ainārs Šlesers through Riga Commercial Port.
2002
Fine over articles criticizing the economy minister
The publisher was fined in connection with articles published in 1998 that criticized Economy Minister Laimonis Strujevičs. The European Court of Human Rights later ruled in 2007 that the fine violated freedom of expression.
Brand decisions
2010
Majority stake acquired by Viesturs KoziolsM&ABackground
Ownership remained in transition after the 2009 sale and associated editorial departures.
Action taken
Viesturs Koziols acquired a 51 percent stake in the Diena joint-stock company on 6 August.
Aftermath
The ownership arrangement later became part of investigations into the newspaper’s alleged effective control by Latvian oligarchs.
2009
Sale of Diena and Dienas BiznessM&ABackground
After years under Bonnier ownership, Diena and its sister business daily were transferred to a new investor group.
Action taken
AS Diena and Dienas Bizness were sold to an investor group associated with Jonathan and David Rowland.
Aftermath
Many employees resigned, and former staff established Cita Diena, later transformed into the weekly newspaper Ir.
2007
Move from berliner to compact formatGeneration changeBackground
The newspaper adjusted its physical product during a period of change in the European print-newspaper market.
Action taken
Diena changed its print format from berliner to compact.
Aftermath
The newspaper continued publication in a smaller, more portable physical format.
1999
Discontinue the Russian-language editionStrategyBackground
Diena had operated a Russian-language edition alongside its principal Latvian-language newspaper.
Action taken
The publisher ended the Russian-language edition and concentrated the brand on its Latvian-language national daily.
Aftermath
Diena continued as a primarily Latvian-language publication.
Sources2 sources
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