The European Broadcasting Union and almost 30 international media organisations have warned that proposed changes to Lithuania’s public service media law could undermine the independence and long-term sustainability of national broadcaster LRT.
In a joint letter to the Lithuanian authorities, the groups said amendments now being considered by the Seimas risk exposing LRT to greater political pressure through changes to funding, governance and oversight.
They also criticised the way the reforms have been prepared, arguing the legislative process has lacked transparency and inclusiveness. According to the organisations, LRT management was not represented in the parliamentary working group drafting the amendments, while commercial media representatives were included. The withdrawal of journalists’ representatives and opposition members from the group has further heightened concerns.
The signatories said several aspects of the draft law were particularly troubling. These include a three-year funding freeze, a reduction in tax-based allocations after that period, and new limits on LRT’s ability to generate additional revenue.
They said the measures had been proposed without a comprehensive impact assessment or meaningful consultation with LRT, raising doubts over whether the broadcaster would still be able to fulfil its public service remit.
The groups also raised concern over proposed new grounds for the early dismissal of the Director General, including “improper performance” and “violation of the public interest”, arguing the criteria are vague and open to interpretation.
Additional criticism was directed at provisions that could allow supervisory bodies to play a greater role in editorial matters, as well as plans to expand LRT’s governance structure through the creation of a new Board, a Council Office and an increase in the number of Council members.
Taken together, the organisations said the changes risk blurring the line between strategic oversight and day-to-day management, while creating fresh routes for political influence over editorial and operational decisions.
The intervention also highlighted broader concern over ideas discussed within the Seimas working group for a future funding model based on a narrowly defined public service contract, under which LRT would only be funded for services not provided by commercial media.
The signatories said such an approach would fundamentally misunderstand the role of public service media, whose remit should not be confined to filling market gaps but should include informing, educating and entertaining audiences while supporting culture, social cohesion and democratic debate.
The EBU said the current proposals run counter to EU law and Council of Europe standards, and called on the Lithuanian authorities to rethink the package in line with recommendations from the Venice Commission.
It added that it remained ready to engage with Lithuanian stakeholders on a framework that would protect LRT’s editorial and institutional independence while supporting its public service mission.
