On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing significant concern about legislative and political efforts that may jeopardise the independence of Lithuania’s public broadcaster, the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT).
Public media are vital in the fight against disinformation and propaganda, while independent media uphold democratic accountability. This function is particularly crucial in Lithuania, where ongoing attempts to polarise society and diminish trust in institutions have been noted, often driven by hybrid warfare from the Russian Federation and other hostile entities targeting the European Union.
Historical precedents indicate that the capture of public service media is often the initial step toward broader democratic erosion, threatening media freedom, judicial independence, and electoral integrity.
The resolution, which garnered 385 votes in favour, 165 against, and 35 abstentions, denounces efforts to freeze and subsequently reduce funding for the LRT, as well as proposals that would weaken protections against the dismissal of its director general. Such measures constitute political pressure inconsistent with EU law and constitutional guarantees. The Parliament underscores that targeted legislation, expedited procedures lacking transparency, and secret voting mechanisms present risks of enabling arbitrary political interference and undermining democratic accountability.
The European Parliament urged the Seimas, Lithuania’s legislative body, and the government to reject the proposed amendments, repeal any existing measures that compromise the independence of LRT, and ensure stable, adequate, and predictable funding in alignment with the European Media Freedom Act and the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Representative of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Freedom of the Media.
Moreover, it emphasised that the use of expedited legislative procedures lacks a solid, constitutionally justified basis, fails to ensure transparency, does not facilitate meaningful stakeholder participation, and does not meet the standards expected of a democratic law-making process.
MEPs also called upon the European Commission to closely monitor these developments and to utilise all available mechanisms, including infringement procedures, in cases of non-compliance.
Lastly, the Parliament expressed full solidarity with Lithuanian journalists and civil society, reaffirming that the protection of independent public service media is a collective European responsibility and fundamental to upholding EU values such as democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.
